Q: Macs won't recognize Ethernet after Power Outage
We had a brief power Outage this weekend and a couple of my Macs a brand new Macbook Pro 15" and iMac 21.5" late 2013 are not recognizing the Ethernet. tried several potential fixes that I found online deleting various preferences and other files nothing worked. I tried deleting the Ethernet interface only to find that when I wanted to add it again it was no longer available in the interface drop down menu. I re-booted, zapped the PRAM and deleted many many network preference files but nothing could it to recognized the Ethernet of Ethernet through the thunderbolt adapter
At this point I pretty much gave up and backed up all the user information an re-installed the operating system over the existing system using the network restore ( command R ).
Has anybody had this issue before? Is there an easier fix?
iMac later 2013 running El Capitan
Posted on Feb 29, 2016 12:54 PM
Reset the SMC
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support
The power outage could have messed with the SMC on the computer, which basically controls how the power is routed on the device.
Also, have you tried connecting the devices with a new Ethernet cable? The cables themselves could have been damaged, or even your router.
Best way to test is to take one of your devices to somewhere with an Ethernet cable to test the computer's Ethernet port. This could be done at an Apple Store if you are near one. Would help determine if it is an issue with the computers or the router/modem or cables.
Posted on Feb 29, 2016 12:58 PM