Luapski

Q: Ethernet adapter not working

I can't get the Thunderbolt Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (MD463LL/A) to work on my 2014 15-inch Macbook Pro (11,2).

When I plug the device into either thunderbolt port I see nothing on the screen. However, when I look under the "Thunderbolt" section in System Information, I see the following:

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 6.39.51 PM.png

When I look in network preferences, I see nothing:

 

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 6.41.18 PM.png

And when I try too add a new network interface, Thunderbolt ethernet is not listed:

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 6.42.33 PM.png

I have searched around on this problem, and some have recommended deleting all interfaces, killing the networkpreferences plist and rebooting. I've tried this, and it didn't help.

I also returned the dongle assuming that I just got a bad copy and purchased a new one. Same problem.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jul 14, 2016 6:48 PM

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Q: Ethernet adapter not working

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  • Helpful answers

  • by leroydouglas,Helpful

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Jul 14, 2016 8:57 PM in response to Luapski
    Level 7 (23,789 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 8:57 PM in response to Luapski

    Did you turn wifi off and move Thunder bolt to the top of the list. Reboot if necessary

  • by Luapski,

    Luapski Luapski Jul 14, 2016 8:57 PM in response to leroydouglas
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 8:57 PM in response to leroydouglas

    I tried it. Still no joy.

  • by whosjose,

    whosjose whosjose Jul 14, 2016 9:18 PM in response to Luapski
    Level 2 (165 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 9:18 PM in response to Luapski

    What does console show?

     

    Disable/Unplug

    Open console

    Clear console

    Plug and wait till it stops moving

    Unplug and wait till it stops moving

     

    Share

  • by Eddie Jasmine,

    Eddie Jasmine Eddie Jasmine Jul 14, 2016 9:29 PM in response to Luapski
    Level 1 (63 points)
    Jul 14, 2016 9:29 PM in response to Luapski
  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Jul 14, 2016 9:33 PM in response to Luapski
    Level 7 (23,789 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 9:33 PM in response to Luapski
  • by Luapski,

    Luapski Luapski Jul 14, 2016 10:23 PM in response to Eddie Jasmine
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 10:23 PM in response to Eddie Jasmine

    Tried it twice. Didn't help.

  • by Luapski,

    Luapski Luapski Jul 14, 2016 10:31 PM in response to leroydouglas
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 10:31 PM in response to leroydouglas

    OK. So, I followed this guide, looking in system information under software>installations for "Incompatible Kernel Extension Configuration Data"

    Not listed at all.

    But what was listed was Realtek USB Ethernet Network Adapter

    This reminds me that I loaded the Realtek driver when I tried to use a Realtek USB Ethernet driver.

    I got rid of it when it proved spotty at waking from sleep and bought a genuine Apple thunderbolt ethernet adapter instead.

    Do you think this driver could be causing a problem? Seems like I should remove it. But, googling around, I can't seem to figure out how.

  • by Luapski,

    Luapski Luapski Jul 14, 2016 10:43 PM in response to whosjose
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 10:43 PM in response to whosjose

    Here's what pops up when you plug it in:

    7/14/16 10:39:44.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration begin ]

    7/14/16 10:39:44.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration end, bridges 12, devices 13 ]

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: AppleThunderboltNHIType2::prePCIWake - power up complete - took 1 us

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: AppleThunderboltGenericHAL::earlyWake - complete - took 0 milliseconds

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch<0>(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 11 unplug = 0

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch<0>(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 12 unplug = 0

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch<0>(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 3 unplug = 0

    7/14/16 10:40:08.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration begin ]

    7/14/16 10:40:08.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration end, bridges 14, devices 13 ]

     

    Here's what happens when you unplug:

    7/14/16 10:43:03.000 PM kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch<0>(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 3 unplug = 1

    7/14/16 10:43:03.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration begin ]

    7/14/16 10:43:03.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration end, bridges 12, devices 13 ]

  • by whosjose,

    whosjose whosjose Jul 14, 2016 10:45 PM in response to Luapski
    Level 2 (165 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 10:45 PM in response to Luapski

    The default location for 'drivers' (although there's not really such a thing in OS X) installed by the user is /Library/Extensions. I suggest looking in there for any .kext bundles which are related.

    Unload the kext with sudo kextunload /Library/Extensions/kextname.kext, move the kext out and reboot. If everything is ok, delete the kext. If the machine kernel panics, boot into single user mode with ⌘S and move the kext back.

     

    Most Driver Packages come with an uninstaller. Download the driver and act like you are installing it again see if an option shows up. Sometimes you can check in the Application folder for the name of the driver and maybe there is uninstall file.

     

    What are the results of the console?

  • by Luapski,

    Luapski Luapski Jul 14, 2016 11:15 PM in response to whosjose
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 11:15 PM in response to whosjose

    Went through the installer and no uninstall option.

    checked /library/extensions but no kext by that name

    No uninstaller inside the .pkg

    Posted the console on your request. Here it is as well:

    Here's what pops up when you plug it in:

    7/14/16 10:39:44.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration begin ]

    7/14/16 10:39:44.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration end, bridges 12, devices 13 ]

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: AppleThunderboltNHIType2::prePCIWake - power up complete - took 1 us

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: AppleThunderboltGenericHAL::earlyWake - complete - took 0 milliseconds

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch<0>(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 11 unplug = 0

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch<0>(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 12 unplug = 0

    7/14/16 10:40:05.000 PM kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch<0>(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 3 unplug = 0

    7/14/16 10:40:08.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration begin ]

    7/14/16 10:40:08.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration end, bridges 14, devices 13 ]

     

    Here's what happens when you unplug:

    7/14/16 10:43:03.000 PM kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch<0>(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 3 unplug = 1

    7/14/16 10:43:03.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration begin ]

    7/14/16 10:43:03.000 PM kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration end, bridges 12, devices 13 ]

  • by whosjose,Apple recommended

    whosjose whosjose Jul 15, 2016 12:03 AM in response to Luapski
    Level 2 (165 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 15, 2016 12:03 AM in response to Luapski

    It is possible that these kexts are installed under directly in /System/Library/Extensions or under /S/L/E/IONetworkingFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns, so be sure to check both locations.


    Your thunderbolt is working as it is getting detected and running.

     

    If you remove anything from either of the folders, run Kext Utility reboot and try again

     

    There is a tool named Kext Wizard that provides a GUI and perhaps you can find it easier. It should be in the loaded tab. Not sure as I haven't used it in a while.

  • by whosjose,

    whosjose whosjose Jul 15, 2016 12:05 AM in response to Luapski
    Level 2 (165 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 15, 2016 12:05 AM in response to Luapski

    What is the model of the other adapter that you installed?

  • by Luapski,Apple recommended

    Luapski Luapski Jul 15, 2016 12:06 AM in response to whosjose
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 15, 2016 12:06 AM in response to whosjose

    Yes. I busted out a partion and did a clean 10.11.5 install. Detected and loaded the adapter no problem. So, clearly I've got a kext problem. Thank you for your help.