Hello,
I have a second-hand 2014 MacBook Pro. My issue is that the Wi-Fi didn’t work. I took it in for repairs and got it back with an Archer T2U Nano adapter attached. It worked fine at first, but after updating the macOS to version 11.7, it stopped working completely.
In network, the adapter still appears but is marked as disconnected, not responding, or damaged. I didn’t unplug it during the update.
Do you have any ideas on what might be wrong?
<< after updating the macOS to version 11.7 >>
MacOS version 11 Big Sur is beyond the 64-bit divide established in 10.15 Catalina. Devices that only had 32-bit software drivers, including EVERY known Wi-Fi dongle, DIED after that transition.
MacBook Pro 2014 models had a built-in Ethernet port, and that can be used to leverage a tiny Ethernet to Wifi access point (low speed 2.4 GHz up to 300 Mbps only) that can get you back on the air. But it requires a short ethernet cable AND something for power like a USB port (or small power adapter.)
here is one:
Archer did put out different drivers for macOS 10.9-10.14 and for macOS 10.15 (and later, presumably). While it's possible that it will not work if Big Sur made other changes, you can get the newest driver here:
https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/download/archer-t2u-nano/
This is encouraging, BUT: Strictly speaking, the restriction In Catalina was No software with a User interface was allowed to have only 32-bit Drivers. Drivers with no Graphical User Interface got a pass until Big Sur.
So unless TP-Link has restated their device's capabilities, or provided additional assurance that their device actually WORKS beyond Catalina, I can't recommend this as a solution for Big Sur and beyond.
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with any of these.
If there is a solution that really WORKS, I vote for WORKS!
Well, as I said, it's possible it won't work.
Alternatively, There may be other models like the T3U, T3U Plus or T4U that would work better, use plug&play drivers, or what have you. But those would require the OP to put down money and/or time testing those or visiting shops to speak with knowledgeable techs - and really be no different than the solution you suggested anyway!
A few months ago, in response to several Posters' frustration with MacBook internal Wi-Fi failure. I did that research. I went down a long list of readily available USB-to-Wi-Fi adapters that I could find easily, and diligently checked posted specs looking for any glimmer of MacOS after MacOS 10.14 support.
NONE had Specs that suggested they supported MacOS after Mojave (and honestly, your find is the only reference I found to anything supporting 10.15 Catalina). "Works great through MacOS 10.14 and on Windows 10 and 11" was the best could find. if you need 5 GHz band as well, there is one that is slightly more expensive, but it may require a real power adapter.
if there were another simpler solution, I certainly could not find it, and others reading along did not find anything that worked, either. I think there was a mass-extinction event when 64-bit started to be enforced in MacOS.
If anyone finds one that works, I will be the first to re-post it, but to date, that Ethernet to-Wi-Fi adapter was the best I could find.
Then I defer to your research. Can't say I'm surprised.
Macbook won’t connect to the Wi-Fi.
