User profile for user: acypher
acypher Author
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Connect a MacBook to AirPort Extreme via ethernet

I have an Airport Extreme that I use to connect a couple of Macs and iPhones wirelessly to the internet. I have one MacBook Air that is near the Airport, and I want to connect it directly via ethernet to the Airport. When I do this, I don't know how to get the MacBook to use the direct connection -- it currently keeps using the wireless connection. How do I get my MacBook to use the ethernet connection? I am running Ventura 13.1, and the Airport Utility is 6.3.9.

Thanks!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jan 22, 2023 04:32 PM

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
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Posted on Jan 22, 2023 04:50 PM

The MacBook Air does not have an Ethernet port, so you must use some sort of USB to Ethernet adapter to establish a wired connection. I assume that you have already done this.


To see if the wired Ethernet connection is working.........turn off the Wi-Fi on the MacBook Air by clicking on the "bars" at the top of the Mac's screen and then moving the slider to Off. A slash will appear through the "bars" to confirm that the Wi-Fi has been turned off.





There are more complicated ways to force the Mac to use the wired Ethernet connection if you want to take a look at them as well, but the simplest solutions always seem to work the best.

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
181,568 points

Jan 22, 2023 04:50 PM in response to acypher

The MacBook Air does not have an Ethernet port, so you must use some sort of USB to Ethernet adapter to establish a wired connection. I assume that you have already done this.


To see if the wired Ethernet connection is working.........turn off the Wi-Fi on the MacBook Air by clicking on the "bars" at the top of the Mac's screen and then moving the slider to Off. A slash will appear through the "bars" to confirm that the Wi-Fi has been turned off.





There are more complicated ways to force the Mac to use the wired Ethernet connection if you want to take a look at them as well, but the simplest solutions always seem to work the best.

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Connect a MacBook to AirPort Extreme via ethernet

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