ethernet

Question

ethernet

Just from one day to the next, ethernet has stopped working. I deleted ethernet in Network preferences and then went to reinstall that preference. It has gone! Any ideas?

iMac 27″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Jul 28, 2021 6:09 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

James Brickley

Level 5

5,686 points

Jul 28, 2021 7:04 AM in response to nigelfrombrede

When you click the + button in Network Preferences you do not have an option to select Ethernet from the drop down list? Doing so should add it back in. If it's missing does it appear in the System Report?

Apple menu -> About this Mac -> System Report -> Ethernet Cards

There should be at least one entry for your Ethernet listed here.

Reply

Answer 2

Jul 28, 2021 8:39 AM in response to nigelfrombrede

Yep, sounds like the built-in NIC (Network Interface) has failed. Hopefully nothing else fails, at least until the new improved Apple Silicon iMacs ship. The dongle is your best bet to hold you over till newer iMacs in 27"+ size become available, hopefully soon. You've only got a year or two before that iMac isn't supported by the latest macOS.

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 28, 2021 7:48 AM in response to nigelfrombrede

If the iMac was upgraded / repaired or otherwise refurbished, perhaps the connection is loose inside the iMac. Or you've experienced a hardware failure. You may need to go the alternate route of using a Thunderbolt2 Ethernet dongle.

Reply

Answer 4

Jul 28, 2021 7:20 AM in response to James Brickley

Thanks, James for your reply. In Network preferences, there is no longer an Ethernet option available from the list. Here is a screen shot -. In the system report, all I get from Ethernet Cards is "This computer does not appear to have any PCI Ethernet cards installed"). macOS 11.5.1; iMac 27", late 2015; 3.2 Ghz; 32Gb RAM.

Reply

Answer 5

Jul 28, 2021 8:33 AM in response to James Brickley

that's what had occurred to me. Apple support has been great but wiping out the HD and re-installing everything will not help if it's a hardware fault. Initially began by the connection saying that there's not a cable attached. And looking back, it has happened before but then rectified. I've just ordered a Thunderbolt2 Ethernet dongle. Thanks for comments etc.

Reply

Answer 6

Jul 28, 2021 8:50 AM in response to nigelfrombrede

A few things to try:

Restart in Safe Mode
Reset NVRAM
Reset SMC
In System Preferences->Network, create a new "Location":

Reply

Answer 7

Jul 29, 2021 4:36 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I've tried all those things at different times over the last few days. Unfortunately, nothing brings back the functionality. Waiting for the delivery of the Thunderbolt2 Ethernet dongle.

Reply

ethernet

Similar questions