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TommieFantine's avatar
TommieFantine
Follower
Nov 12, 2023

Connecting MacBook Pro with ethernet cable to AX4300

To connect directly my MacBook Pro to the AX4300 router the instructions say to use an Ethernet Cable, but this requires an adapter to the Thunderbolt 3 port, yet when I try this the computer does not see the router.  What am I doing incorrectly?  I am using a tomtoc L2013G adapter.

 

To upload the latest software for the router the instructions state I have to connect directly via ethernet cable.  It will not download over the wifi network, always says an error occurs.

 

Thank you

2 Replies

  • Kitsap's avatar
    Kitsap
    Master
    Nov 12, 2023
    TommieFantine wrote:

    To connect directly my MacBook Pro to the AX4300 router the instructions say to use an Ethernet Cable, but this requires an adapter to the Thunderbolt 3 port, yet when I try this the computer does not see the router.  What am I doing incorrectly?  I am using a tomtoc L2013G adapter.

     

    To upload the latest software for the router the instructions state I have to connect directly via ethernet cable.  It will not download over the wifi network, always says an error occurs.

     

    Thank you

    If I recall correctly, an Ethernet cable is recommended.  It is not mandatory.

     

    Over a Wi-Fi connection using a web browser, go to the Downloads section at the top of this page, put in your RAX45 model number and download the firmware update of your choice.  The download file is compressed into a zip file.  You have to unpack the .chk binary from the zip file and put it on your desktop.  Log in to the administrative user interface for your router, go to the Advanced -> Administration -> Firmware Update page.  At the top of the page there is a button to browse your computer to locate the firmware update file.  Once selected, upload it to your router.

     

    I am not a Mac user, the RJ45 to USB adapters for Windows computers work fine.

     

     

  • michaelkenward's avatar
    michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Nov 12, 2023
    TommieFantine wrote:

    To connect directly my MacBook Pro to the AX4300 router the instructions say to use an Ethernet Cable, but this requires an adapter to the Thunderbolt 3 port, yet when I try this the computer does not see the router.  What am I doing incorrectly?  I am using a tomtoc L2013G adapter.

     

    That's really down to your MacBook and the Adapter. Not really something that Netgear can help with.

     

    To upload the latest software for the router the instructions state I have to connect directly via ethernet cable.

     

    That is certainly the best option, but there are ways around it.

     

    If you can connect to the RAX45 over wifi – it isn't really an AX4300 because there are too many of those to tell them apart – you should also be able to point a web browser at the graphical user interface (GUI). Same instructions as for the wired update.

     

    Start by downloading the firmware to your MacBook. Then follow this advice:

     

    How do I manually upgrade firmware to my NETGEAR router? | Answer | NETGEAR Support