How to Connect MacBook to Internet With Ethernet Cable

Internet  February 8, 2023

connect macbook with ethernet cable

You have probably heard about ethernet as an alternative to a wireless connection. In case you own a Mac and consider switching to ethernet, there are a few things you should know first.

5 Advantages Ethernet Has Over Wireless Connection

  1. Ethernet is faster than WiFi, providing users with a much higher speed for transferring data. Since wired connections directly connect computers to each other or to the router, the connection does not have to share bandwidth with other wireless devices. This makes it the ideal choice for large file transfers or streaming media such as online gaming and video conferencing.
  2. For Mac users who don’t have built-in Wifi hardware installed but still want to connect their computer to a network, ethernet is an ideal solution. It requires less expensive hardware and doesn’t require any additional software or drivers needed for WiFi access points or routers (unlike with WiFi). With the ethernet, you are also unlikely to experience certain errors, such as the Mac no WiFi hardware installed error.
  3. Ethernet is more reliable than WiFi since it offers a much more stable connection. Without interference from other wireless networks in the area, ethernet offers a direct, always-on connection that will not drop suddenly due to signal losses or changes in signal strength. This ensures that there are no interruptions in communication and allows for longer sessions without breaks or lags in data transfer speeds.
  4. Ethernet is a much more secure option than WiFi since it does not broadcast its signal through the air like WiFi does, making it difficult for hackers to intercept your data traffic if they are unauthorized users of the same network. This means that all of your sensitive information will remain private and protected from any malicious attempts at access by unauthorized individuals.
  5. Ethernet connections can also help save energy since they do not require power to function and can therefore be used as part of an energy-efficient system setup. By avoiding the need to use multiple power sources, ethernet connections reduce electricity consumption and costs associated with powering up multiple devices on one network simultaneously.

Steps to Set Up Ethernet on a Mac

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Gather Your Materials – You’ll need an Ethernet cable and access to an ethernet port router or modem. The Ethernet cable should have one end that has a USB-C connector, which is compatible with the USB port on your MacBook, and the other end with an RJ-45 connector, which plugs into the router or modem.
  2. Plug in the Ethernet Cable – Connect one end of your Ethernet cable to the available USB-C port on your MacBook, ensuring that it is fully seated in the port. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to your router or modem.
  3. Open System Preferences – Go to “System Preferences” from your Mac menu bar, then click on “Network” near the top of the screen.
  4. Select Interface – On the left-hand side of this window, select “Ethernet” from among any network interfaces that appear listed beneath “Show.”
  5. Configure Network Settings – Once you’ve selected “Ethernet,” you’ll be presented with some basic options for connecting to networks via this interface type. You may now enter any necessary credentials indicated by your internet provider (e.g., username and password). If you’re presented with additional options such as DHCP or Static IP address selection, leave these at their default settings unless instructed otherwise by your internet provider’s support team or documentation.
  6. Check Connection Status – Once configured correctly, you should see details about your current connection status appear underneath “Ethernet” on this page within System Preferences; if there are no details present at all here, then reconnecting and reconfiguring these settings may help resolve any issues you’re experiencing related to connecting via Ethernet cable rather than wireless connection methods such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth® technology. 

    Additionally, if there are ever any disconnections between your Mac and its connected networks (such as routers), then this same window will display alerts indicating that such disconnections have occurred—this can give you insight into why certain connection problems may arise when attempting to access online sources via ethernet cables with a Mac device..

  7. Windows File Sharing – You may also use Windows file sharing over an ethernet connection; this is useful if/when attempting network transfers between two separate machines running different operating systems (e.g., macOS). To do so, simply enable file sharing from within System Preferences> Sharing on both machines involved in transfer operations—after which you should be able to connect securely by entering credentials for either machine depending upon which was used first during initial transfer setup processes.
  8. Troubleshooting – If transferring files between two different machines over an ethernet connection fails despite following all instructions outlined above for enabling file sharing procedures successfully, then restarting both devices involved in transfers following reboot operations may help resolve any underlying issues related to establishing secure connections using this method instead of wireless protocols like Wi-Fi. 

    Additionally, if there are ever any disconnections between your Mac and its connected networks (such as routers), then this same window will display alerts indicating that such disconnections have occurred—this can give you insight into why certain connection problems may arise when attempting to access online sources via ethernet cables with a Mac device..