Mac Studio Display causing VPN connection issue
I have used Express VPN for past 8 years and it works on all my iPhones, MacBook Air and previous Mac Pro ands Mac mini devices. I upgraded to Mac Studio and the Mac Studio Display in 2023 and since then VPN connects but I can't access the internet all safari connections blocked and email etc.
Grok helped me find the solution and today it works.
I managed to resolve with just deleting Thunderbolt Bridge in Network settings and Mac Studio Display IP.
Apparently Studio display has a IP address to connect and this is what was blocking traffic.
Apple can you update the Studio Display to resolve the issue?
Full list on steps to resolve issue below
- Open System Settings:
- Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions).
- Navigate to the Network Section:
- In the System Settings sidebar, scroll down and click Network.
- You’ll see a list of network interfaces (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Thunderbolt Bridge).
- Locate Thunderbolt Bridge:
- Look for an entry labeled Thunderbolt Bridge in the list of network services. It may appear alongside other interfaces like Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- If you’re using an Apple Studio Display connected via Thunderbolt, you might also see an interface labeled something like Ethernet (Studio Display) or a generic Thunderbolt Ethernet entry.
- Check if Thunderbolt Bridge is Active:
- Click on Thunderbolt Bridge to view its status.
- If it says Connected or has an IP address assigned, it’s active and could be interfering with ExpressVPN.
- If it’s listed but Not Connected or Inactive, it’s less likely to be the issue, but removing it can still help rule out conflicts.
- Remove Thunderbolt Bridge:
- Select Thunderbolt Bridge in the list.
- Click the minus (–) button at the bottom of the network services list to remove it. (You may need to click the lock icon and enter your admin password to make changes.)
- Confirm the removal if prompted.
- Note: Removing Thunderbolt Bridge won’t affect your Studio Display’s functionality (e.g., display output or audio), as it only disables the network-sharing feature.
- Apply Changes and Test:
- Click Apply to save the changes.
- Restart ExpressVPN, connect to a VPN server, and test your internet (e.g., open a browser and visit google.com) and email (e.g., Apple Mail).
- If the issue persists, proceed to other troubleshooting steps (e.g., switching VPN protocols or checking DNS settings).
If You Don’t See Thunderbolt Bridge
- If Thunderbolt Bridge isn’t listed in the Network settings, it may not be enabled or created on your system. This can happen if you haven’t used Thunderbolt-based networking features (e.g., file sharing between Macs).
- Check for other unexpected interfaces (e.g., Ethernet or USB Ethernet) that might be related to the Studio Display or other Thunderbolt peripherals. Remove any unnecessary interfaces using the same steps above.
- If you’re not using an Apple Studio Display or Thunderbolt peripherals, this step may not apply, and the issue could be related to other factors (e.g., VPN protocol, router settings, or DNS).
Additional Tips
- Re-adding Thunderbolt Bridge: If you need Thunderbolt Bridge later (e.g., for file sharing between Macs), you can re-add it:
- In System Settings > Network, click the plus (+) button.
- Select Thunderbolt Bridge from the interface dropdown and click Create.
- Only re-add it after confirming ExpressVPN works without it.
- Studio Display-Specific Notes: If you’re using an Apple Studio Display, ensure its firmware is up to date, as outdated firmware can cause network-related quirks. Check for updates in System Settings > General > Software Update.
- macOS Firewall: If removing Thunderbolt Bridge doesn’t help, verify that the macOS firewall isn’t blocking ExpressVPN:
- Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall.
- Ensure ExpressVPN is allowed to receive incoming connections (add it via Options > Applications if needed).
If You Need Further Assistance
- If you’re unsure whether Thunderbolt Bridge is the issue, you can check for active network interfaces using the Terminal:
- Open Terminal (from Applications > Utilities).
- Type networksetup -listallnetworkservices and press Enter.
- Look for Thunderbolt Bridge or similar entries in the output.
- If present, you can disable it via Terminal with: sudo networksetup -setnetworkserviceenabled "Thunderbolt Bridge" off (enter your admin password when prompted).
- If you’re still experiencing issues after removing Thunderbolt Bridge, let me know your macOS version (check via Apple menu > About This Mac) or any specific error messages in the ExpressVPN app. I can also guide you through other steps, like checking DNS settings or testing with a different VPN protocol.
Would you like me to provide a visual guide (e.g., a flowchart of these steps) or proceed with another troubleshooting point? Let me know if you’re using an Apple Studio Display or other Thunderbolt peripherals for more tailored advic
Studio Display