Thunderbolt port doesn't recognise connected ethernet adapter

[Ricky McG]

I have to comment here after the trouble I went to. For a start of, I've been building computers since 1989 and I can tell you that Macs suck without question.

Here's the solution:

Plug in your thunderbolt ethernet adapter connected to your modem.
It will say its not connected (even though it is) in Settings>Network
Press the + button at the bottom of the left pane.
Now you should be able to select 'Thunderbolt Ethernet' (these are the exact words you need to see - not bridge or 1 or 2 or anything. It must say 'Thunderbolt Ethernet'). Select it. If its not there, try a different thunderbolt port or wait a few seconds. If it still doesn't appear, then you have hardware issues and I can't help you.
After you have added it, it will still say its not connected. There are a million settings and variables but ignore them all and just do this STUPID APPLE repair:
Click Advanced (keep it in 'Using DHCP' mode), then click Apply.
That is all.

Be VERY angry at Apple. They have the worst Operating System the world will ever see. I just upgraded to El Capitan and now Cinch is broken. I don't know who the moron developers at Apple are, but they should all be behind bars. A backup I once made destroyed 15 years of data, and Apple did not apologise. Anyway, the solution above should work.
[doublepost=1456366499][/doublepost]Simple answer: Click the 'Apply' button after you have added 'Thunderbolt Ethernet' from the + button in the left pane of Network Settings.

The 'Apply' button is what makes it work.

Totally worked for me - thank you!

 

[turnermaurice]

I just had the same issue with with an ethernet thunderbolt 2 on my MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014). I had tried reseting the System Management Controller (SMC) and the Non Volatile RAM (NVRAM) to no avail. However the fix posted above:
( System Preferences > Network > with Thunderbolt Ethernet highlighted, click Advanced > IPv6: change to Link-local Only > Hit Renew DHCP Lease > OK > Apply.)
resolved my issue - thank you!

 

[ScaryHouse]

This is the fix:

1. Pull down from the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
   
   
2. In the third row select Network.
   
   
3. In the left hand column select ALL services that have the words “Ethernet” or “Thunderbolt” in them and DELETE them by pressing the minus (-) button at the bottom.
   
   
4. With your ethernet cable and thunderbolt adapter plugged from the network to your computer, set up a new service by clicking the plus (+) button at the bottom.
   
   
5. From the possible services select ONLY Thunderbolt Ethernet. If your computer tries to add a “1” after Thunderbolt Ethernet, delete it. The name of this service should be Thunderbolt Ethernet.
   
   
6. If you connect to networks automatically Choose DHCP on the right.
   
   (If you connect to networks with particular settings (like a school or business) Choose the appropriate option on the right and enter those settings)
   
   
7. Click the Gear icon at the bottom of the left hand column and select Set Service Order…
   
   
8. Drag the services around so Thunderbolt Ethernet is first and Wifi is second.
   
   
9. Click OK.
   
   
10. Click the Advanced button in the lower right.
    
    
11. Click the DNS tab.
    
    
12. Delete any pre installed DNS that might be entered by your service provider and add the much better DNS of your choice.
    (I prefer 9.9.9.9 See: https://www.quad9.net )
    
    
13. Click OK in lower right corner.
    
    
14. Click Apply in the lower right corner.
    

 

[peterjvwatt]

I have to comment here after the trouble I went to. For a start of, I've been building computers since 1989 and I can tell you that Macs suck without question.

Here's the solution:

Plug in your thunderbolt ethernet adapter connected to your modem.
It will say its not connected (even though it is) in Settings>Network
Press the + button at the bottom of the left pane.
Now you should be able to select 'Thunderbolt Ethernet' (these are the exact words you need to see - not bridge or 1 or 2 or anything. It must say 'Thunderbolt Ethernet'). Select it. If its not there, try a different thunderbolt port or wait a few seconds. If it still doesn't appear, then you have hardware issues and I can't help you.
After you have added it, it will still say its not connected. There are a million settings and variables but ignore them all and just do this STUPID APPLE repair:
Click Advanced (keep it in 'Using DHCP' mode), then click Apply.
That is all.

Be VERY angry at Apple. They have the worst Operating System the world will ever see. I just upgraded to El Capitan and now Cinch is broken. I don't know who the moron developers at Apple are, but they should all be behind bars. A backup I once made destroyed 15 years of data, and Apple did not apologise. Anyway, the solution above should work.
[doublepost=1456366499][/doublepost]Simple answer: Click the 'Apply' button after you have added 'Thunderbolt Ethernet' from the + button in the left pane of Network Settings.

The 'Apply' button is what makes it work.

Thankyou. This worked for me after some months of not being able to use Thunderbolt / Ethernet adapter, having to rely on WiFi instead.

 

[ranger_cole]

I have to comment here after the trouble I went to. For a start of, I've been building computers since 1989 and I can tell you that Macs suck without question.

Here's the solution:

Plug in your thunderbolt ethernet adapter connected to your modem.
It will say its not connected (even though it is) in Settings>Network
Press the + button at the bottom of the left pane.
Now you should be able to select 'Thunderbolt Ethernet' (these are the exact words you need to see - not bridge or 1 or 2 or anything. It must say 'Thunderbolt Ethernet'). Select it. If its not there, try a different thunderbolt port or wait a few seconds. If it still doesn't appear, then you have hardware issues and I can't help you.
After you have added it, it will still say its not connected. There are a million settings and variables but ignore them all and just do this STUPID APPLE repair:
Click Advanced (keep it in 'Using DHCP' mode), then click Apply.
That is all.

Be VERY angry at Apple. They have the worst Operating System the world will ever see. I just upgraded to El Capitan and now Cinch is broken. I don't know who the moron developers at Apple are, but they should all be behind bars. A backup I once made destroyed 15 years of data, and Apple did not apologise. Anyway, the solution above should work.
[doublepost=1456366499][/doublepost]Simple answer: Click the 'Apply' button after you have added 'Thunderbolt Ethernet' from the + button in the left pane of Network Settings.

The 'Apply' button is what makes it work.

[doublepost=1556747356][/doublepost]I have this issue with a macbook air 2011 and your fix worked for me! I had just talked to apple support before finding this thread. The person was not very tech savy who took my call. That is a whole other thread.

Thank you!