Monterey ASIX Update

macOS version 12 Monterey is here! With it comes new features, new looks, and of course that means we’ll need new drivers. We’ve tested and validated a new DriverKit DEXT v2.0.0 for the ASIX AX88179 chipset that we use in our wired USB3-E1000 and USBC-E1000 Ethernet adapters.

In October, we wrote about a driver combability issue (which you can read about in our previous blog post) and this new DriverKit restores functionality for these adapters in macOS 12.x Monterey.

We are going to use this new blog post to provide driver updates, and continue tracking issues with macOS 12.x, so stay tuned to this spot. Click the button below to download the .zip file, then scroll down to the Uninstall the Old Drivers section below to for instructions to uninstall your old drivers before moving on to installation.


NOTE - The steps and drivers provided here are tested with the USB3-E1000 and USBC-E1000 adapters made by Plugable only. Please reach out to manufacturer of your adapter directly for products not made by Plugable.


  1. First, we need to uninstall the previous drivers before installing the new ones. After downloading the installation file from above, go into your Downloads folder, open the .zip archive and then double-click ASIX_USB_Device_Installer_v2.0.0.dmg for macOS 12.x Monterey
    ASIX Monterey Uninstall
  2. We need to uninstall the current driver set before installing the new one. Double-click on the ASIX_USB_Device_Uninstaller_v1.0.0.pkg package and a screen for the Uninstaller will appear. Click Continue, to move to the next screen.
    ASIX Monterey Uninstall
  3. Click Install to move on and a screen will pop up asking you for your password. Enter in your password, and then click Install Software to clear the password request screen, and then click Install to move on. NOTE - The following screens say, "install", but this will actually uninstall the drivers.
    ASIX Monterey Uninstall
  4. Next, click Install Software and continue through the next screens until the uninstallation is complete. Click Close, to close the installer.
    ASIX Monterey Uninstall
  5. Restart the computer after the installation has finished, and then move on to the Installation Instructions below.
  1. Go into your Downloads folder, open the .zip archive, the folder within, and then double-click on the ASIX_USB_Device_Installer_v2.0.0.dmg disk image file.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  2. Next, double-click and open the ASIX_USB_Device_Installer_v2.0.0.pkg package. You may see a message pop up and state that Apple can’t check the software package for malicious software. To be clear, these drivers are safe, validated, and code-signed by Apple. But, since the download hasn’t come directly from Apple’s servers, this message may display. Click Allow to proceed.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  3. Next, click Continue to move on.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  4. Click Continue through the subsequent screens until prompted to install.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  5. Then, click Install to move on to the next screen.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  6. Click Install to move on and a screen will pop up asking you for your password. Enter in your password, click Install Software to clear the password request screen, and then click Install to move on.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  7. After you enter your password, the installation will begin. Once it has finished, you’ll see this message to run ASIX_USB_DEVICE_APP in the launchpad after rebooting. Click OK to acknowledge this warning, and then click Restart to complete the installation.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  8. Next, we need to run the ASIX_USB_DEVICE_APP as we saw in the last step. Continue down to the Post-Reboot Steps section for instructions.
  1. Open a Finder window, click on Applications and then double-click on the ASIX_USB_DEVICE_APP item in your Applications folder.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  2. A screen will pop up with details about activating the driver installation. These must be followed to completion for functionality! This includes not plugging your Ethernet adapter in until after step 4 in their instructions. Click Activate to continue.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  3. You’ll receive a message pop up stating that the System Extension is Blocked. Click Open Security Preferences. (NOTE - This will occur the first time you install the new ASIX DEXT driver. Subsequent installs or updates to the driver package should not require a repeat approval of the activation.)
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  4. This will take you to the Security & Privacy preferences. You can also get there by going to the (Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy). .
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  5. Look down to the bottom left of the window, and you’ll see a Gold Lock. There should be a message stating that the ASIX_USB_DEVICE_APP was blocked from loading. Click the lock, which will open a prompt asking for your password.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  6. Enter your password in the box to open the lock, and click Unlock when you’re finished.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey
  7. Now, with the lock open, click Allow to allow the driver extension to proceed and, then, exit System Preferences and the ASIX Application (feel free to click the lock again to close it!) and Restart your computer.
    Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey

After restarting, plug your Plugable Ethernet adapter into your computer, and into your router. Now, let's check for an active connection in the Network Pane at
the (Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network)
.

Install ASIX Drivers for macOS 12.x Monterey

NOTE - After checking your network status, you may still have the ASIX application running on your dock. You don’t need to keep the app open for network functionality, but you cannot delete the application at this time. This is a requirement for DEXT functionality.



Manually add adapter and Renew DHCP Lease

There are a few issues that may come up after installation and require manually adding the adapter to the Network list, and/or renewing the DHCP Lease. These issues are:

  • If the adapter shows up in the Network list but is disconnected
  • If the adapter doesn't show up in the Network list

These tasks are easy to do, and we have steps laid out in another article that you can see if you click here.



At this time, we are not aware of any issues with the 2.0.0 DEXT implementation. Previous examples of problems on macOS 11.X Big Sur with the ASIX 1.3.0 DEXT driver are provided below. If you encounter any additional issues that you can reproduce, please let us know the steps to reproduce the problem and work with ASIX on investigating the behavior.

  • Spotify on M1 Apple Silicon computers
    We’ve encountered an issue with Spotify when using the adapter where the app will get caught during startup and then will display an error message, “Couldn't find that page” and, “Oooops, something went wrong.” If this happens, you can resolve it by quitting the application, enabling Wi-Fi, connecting to your wireless network, and reopening the application. After the application has successfully connected to the Spotify servers, it is OK to disconnect from Wi-Fi.
  • M1 Sleep
    We have observed inconsistencies in the adapter’s functionality during Sleep / Power Nap in macOS 11 on Apple M1 hosts. This includes the network connection not being picked up during Sleep and the wired connection not restoring to the host after the system Wakes from Sleep. In most cases, simply reconnecting the Ethernet adapter to the host has solved the problem. However, in some instances, the computer required a restart.

Are Ethernet Adapters from other brands affected by this OS update?
Yes, all brands of USB Ethernet Adapters that use ASIX chips and drivers are affected. This includes Amazon, Anker, Dell, Uni, UGREEN, Cable Matters, etc. Regardless of brand, if the adapter uses ASIX USB to Ethernet technology that requires external driver installation for a network connection, it will no longer function as expected after updating to macOS 11 without a DEXT Driver Extension as ASIX has provided.

Is this a temporary or permanent situation?
We expect that with the new DEXT driver solution, there should be minimal impact on the utilization of ASIX AX88179-based Ethernet adapters going forward. In addition, this driver package should remain long-term functional outside of any behaviors potentially introduced via a macOS update.

Are there any other options to add a wired network connection to my macOS 11 system?
Yes! Wired Ethernet solutions utilizing common Realtek ICs are fully functional as they rely on drivers built into the OS and require no further installation from an end-user.

Our USBC-TE1000USBC-E2500, and USB3-HUB3ME adapters are all based on Realtek ICs (RTL8153B or RTL8156) and are fully integrated, tested, and validated for macOS 12 Monterey.


We hope this was helpful! Feel free to reach out to us directly at: support@plugable.com, or, post a leave us a note in the comment section below.


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