Apple MacBook USB ethernet adapters not working after macOS Big Sur update? Check out this workaround

Irrespective of the big brand names and the flagship pieces of equipment, devices can still end up troubling the owners.

And who knows it better than the Apple device owners. We recently saw how HomePod worth hundreds of dollars would fail to sync and even drop out in many cases.

Now, we have stumbled upon another issue that further increases the bug count of Apple devices.

This has been a perennial bug on macOS Big Sur that restricts users from using ethernet adapters to the best of their capabilities.

Long discussions went on for months where multiple users shared their experiences to confirm that this issue is common for a big chunk.

As described by the users, the USB ethernet adapter stopped working after the macOS Big Sur update on both old and new Apple devices.

Ethernet adapter not working with big sur update, tried the many solutions, but nothing works.

I am using macbook air 2017.

Adapter working fine before update, also working fine with another macbook air 2017 with Catalina.

It is only after the Big Sur update that the issue first came to light and is absent on devices with Catalina. Some users, in fact, switched back to Catalina to get things working again.

While there’s a higher number of people who claim the issue is with Type A ethernet adapters, there are also a few who are facing this on Type C units.

With the upgrade, machines stopped supporting the ethernet adapters. Users kept trying different brands but only to end up getting the same issue.

There’s a temporary workaround that involves turning off the System Integrity Protection (SIP).

One more way is available which has resolved the issue for a few and should for others too and that is by following these steps.

For anyone still looking for the answer in Big Sur. I manage to make it work using the latest drivers, the “beta” version for Big Sur in the ASIX page

It is important to follow the instructions in the readme inside. And after you install and reboot, open the ASIX DEVICE APP that has been installed along with the drivers. There you activate the device. (Source)

Apple on the other hand is oblivious of the ongoing situation and no one has heard anything from the support. Users had to struggle themselves to find a way through.

A user, however, claims that the issue stands resolved after the macOS Big Sur 11.3. It can only be confirmed as more users come forward.

Finally, the issue has been resolved with the latest Big Sur update from Apple.
I’m currently running macOS Big Sur version 11.3 (20E232) and it detected the driver automatically I believe, didn’t do anything to get it working. (Source)

After months of hardships faced by users, it would be best if Apple finally resolves this issue with an update.

Till then, we will keep tracking this issue and update here as soon as there’s any development.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Apple Section so be sure to follow them as well.

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