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I have a 16-inch Macbook Pro 2019 with Big Sur (11.4) and an Ethernet cable that I plug into an UTP-USB adapter (TP-Link UE300) which then goes into a dongle that brings it to USB-C. Not the prettiest set-up, and it also doesn't work. According to Apple I should just go to Network and pick Ethernet, but I don't have that option.

No Ethernet

Now what? (I've checked and the Ethernet cable works)

USB tree structure

enter image description here

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  • Try choosing thunderbolt bridge, it should show up.
    – Ant
    Commented Jun 24, 2021 at 8:35
  • Can you add make and model of your UTP-USB adapter?
    – jaume
    Commented Jun 24, 2021 at 9:14
  • I don't see any ethernet options under thunderbolt bridge. The adapter is a TP-Link (UE300). tp-link.com/nl/home-networking/computer-accessory/ue300
    – Herman
    Commented Jun 24, 2021 at 9:20
  • Cay you hit the apple logo in the top left corner, then about this mac and system information. Then scroll to USB and post a screenshot of the tree structure there.
    – X_841
    Commented Jun 24, 2021 at 12:20
  • Same problem here, did you solve it?
    – User
    Commented Jun 11, 2022 at 6:27

2 Answers 2

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That particular adapter doesn’t seem to be supported on macOS versions past Yosemite (10.10). Per the tech specs listed on the page for the TP-Link UE300, it lists:

Plug and Play in Windows (XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10), Mac OS X (10.9/10.10), Linux OS. NB: stuurprogramma nodig voor Mac OS X (10.5-10.8).

The text “stuurprogramma nodig voor” is Dutch and translates to “driver needed for.”

This appears to only have built-in support up util Yosemite and an external driver is necessary for OS X versions Leopard through Mountain Lion (10.5 through 10.8).

That particular USB driver uses the Realtek RTL8111 chipset which seems to have been dropped from macOS versions past Yosemite as evidenced by this Hackintosh blog post where the author laments the condition of the existing drivers and the need to port the Linux driver to macOS.

Your best bet is to get a new, compatible adatper.

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  • Ah, I asked that question 3 years ago, so it's no longer relevant but thanks for the answer anyway! ^^
    – Herman
    Commented Jul 30, 2023 at 0:47
  • No worries! I like to close the loop on things and I saw that someone else had the same issue in comments so I thought I would research it and post a resolution. Thanks for the accept!
    – Allan
    Commented Jul 30, 2023 at 0:49
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You need to go to TP link website and install a driver that is compatible with your OS, buying Ethernet adapter directly from Apple allows you to plug and play instantly

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