Network control panel of System Preferences, is "blank"
27" Retina iMac… macOS 10.13.1…
I just did a "fresh" re-install of macOS High Sierra, and my problem has persisted: the Network control panel of System Preferences, is "blank". This is despite my Mac having both WiFi and Ethernet connections active. Viewing the Network pane causes a spinning beachball. Force-Quit works, but I need to make changes in the Network configuration, and it does not appear. The only connected device is a backup USB HD.
What's going on? How can I fix it?