ethernet stops working every couple weeks until I delete service and re-add it

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Level 1

18 points

ethernet stops working every couple weeks until I delete service and re-add it

Every couple weeks the ethernet on my MacStudio will stop working. Wifi continues to work, even though the wifi access point is plugged into the same switch as my MacStudio. Making the service inactive and then activating it again doesn't work. Changing ip addresses doesn't work (my router usually assigns a fixed ip, but when the ethernet is not working changing the assigned ip doesn't work.) Rebooting the router and the switch don't work, rebooting the MacStudio doesn't work. The only thing that fixes it immediately is deleting the ethernet service on my MacStudio and then adding a new service (settings are the same.) Then it works perfectly again for a while.

I've had this same problem on an iMacPro on the same network occasionally. Any ideas what's causing this/how to avoid? What is does deleting and re-adding the ethernet service do to fix this, when the settings aren't changing at all between the old and the service?

Thanks

Mac Studio, macOS 14.6

Posted on Feb 5, 2025 10:49 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

157,884 points

Feb 6, 2025 9:08 AM in response to John Wayland

John Wayland wrote:

Both computers that have this problem are on the same vlan (I just have the one plus an iot vlan.) Computer has the correct ip address during the issue, but loses both internet and lan access. And problem persists when I change up the address during the issue.

When "disconnected" from the network, can the Mac ping your Dream Machine successfully?

Is it feasible to temporarily disconnect one of your Macs and connect it directly to the DM? It would rule out, whether or not, the UniFi switch is problematic. If not, then try connecting these two Macs to two different ports on the switch.

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

157,884 points

Feb 5, 2025 12:44 PM in response to John Wayland

Based on what you have provided in your post, especially that this is not limited to only one of your Macs, tend to point an issue with your network hardware or their configuration.

If you can provide us with a bit more details on the make up of your network, it would help us assist you with a potential solution.

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

157,884 points

Feb 5, 2025 1:22 PM in response to John Wayland

Excellent choice of networking hardware. I happen to be using UniFi equipment myself, based on the UniFi Cloud Gateway - Ultra ... so, I'm quite familiar with this stuff.

Is your current network configured with a single "default" VLAN, or have you also configured additional VLANs to meet your overall networking goals? If multiple, are both Macs on the same VLAN or on different ones?

When your Macs "lose" Ethernet connectivity what do they show as their IP address? Something in the 169.254.x.x range? Or does it get the expected address and can access local clients, but not gain access to the Internet?

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Answer 4

John Wayland Author

Level 1

18 points

Feb 5, 2025 12:57 PM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for responding.

I have a unifi dream machine connected to a 10g unifi switch, which the MacStudio and the iMacPro are both plugged into. Lots of other ethernet connected devices plugged into the same switch including Appletvs, an older Mac Mini, a Windows PC, a printer, etc. never have any issues. Wifi access points plugged into the same switch also function normally while this problem occurs.

I've checked when I have the issue and there never seems to be an IP address conflict. I've tried assigning it different IP addresses or just having it self-assign and it doesn't fix the issue.

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Answer 5

John Wayland Author

Level 1

18 points

Feb 6, 2025 2:59 AM in response to Tesserax

Both computers that have this problem are on the same vlan (I just have the one plus an iot vlan.) Computer has the correct ip address during the issue, but loses both internet and lan access. And problem persists when I change up the address during the issue.

Reply