If the Aluminum Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (ST-TCENS, ST-TCENM) is not giving you a wired connection, the usual causes are a USB-C port that does not carry data, a bad Ethernet cable, or an inactive router port. The Aluminum Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter is bus-powered, drawing the small amount of power it needs from your device's USB-C port, and it is plug-and-play on current versions of macOS, iPadOS, Windows, ChromeOS, and Linux.

How to fix connection problems with the Aluminum Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

1. Plug an Ethernet cable into a LAN port on your modem or router, then into the RJ-45 port on the Aluminum Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter.
2. Connect the adapter directly to a USB-C or Thunderbolt port on your computer or tablet, with no hub in between while you are testing. Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports both work because they use the same USB-C connector.
3. Make sure the USB-C port you chose supports data. Some USB-C ports are charge-only and will not run a network adapter.
4. Try a different USB-C or Thunderbolt port on your device.
5. Connect the Ethernet cable to a different LAN port on your router or switch, since an inactive port looks exactly like a dead adapter.
6. Test the Ethernet cable on another device to confirm the cable itself works.
7. Restart your computer, then plug the adapter back in.
8. Check that your computer sees a wired connection. On a Mac, open System Settings and go to Network. On Windows, open Device Manager and expand Network adapters.
9. On Windows, install any pending Windows updates if the adapter is not recognized. Most Windows computers detect the Aluminum Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter automatically with no setup at all.
10. Set the right expectation on speed. The adapter supports 10, 100, and 1000 Mbps wired connections, with a top speed of up to 1 Gbps, and it steps down automatically on older routers and switches. Your real world speed still depends on your internet plan and network equipment.
11. Check what you are connecting it to. The Aluminum Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter is designed for computers and tablets, including USB-C iPads and USB-C Android tablets that support wired Ethernet. Support for gaming consoles and smart TVs is not guaranteed, so use the built-in Ethernet port on a console when it has one.