Wifi Troubleshooting for MAC
Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
Click the Control Center icon (the two sliders) at the top-right corner
of your screen. If the "Wi-Fi" icon is turned off, click it to turn it
on.
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- When Wi-Fi is on, you'll see a list of all available access points. Click the network you want to join.
Try to join the Wi-Fi network.
If you don't see the Wi-Fi network you are looking for, try moving your laptop very close to the access point.
Run Wireless Diagnostics if you can connect to Wi-Fi but can't access the internet.
If you are able to join your Wi-Fi network but you can't browse the web, running Wireless Diagnostics can help.
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Here's how to do it:
- Close all open apps.
- Press and hold the Option key while you click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
- Click Open Wireless Diagnostics.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to allow your Mac to test your wireless connection.
- If any issues are found, click the small "i" in a circle next to each issue found for instructions on how to proceed.
Restart your Mac.
When you restart
your Mac, your Mac will automatically release and renew your IP
address, which often clears up internet issues. If you don't want to
reboot, you can follow these steps to renew your IP address.
- Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Click Network.
- Click your Wi-Fi connection.
- Click Advanced and select TCP/IP.
- Click Renew DHCP Lease.
Restart your router and modem.
If
you still can't connect to Wi-Fi, there could be a problem with your
router and/or modem (sometimes these two items are combined into one
device). Here's the best way to reset your router and modem:
- Unplug the power cable from both the router and modem (if separate).
- If the light on your modem stays on, it probably has battery backup. Remove the battery for now.
- (If you have a separate modem) After 30 seconds, plug the modem back
in to the power source and wait for it to boot back up. When the lights
stop blinking, continue.
- Plug the router back in and allow it to boot up. This can take several moments.
- Reconnect your laptop to the Wi-Fi network and try to browse the web.
- If other devices (such as your phone or tablet) can connect to this
network but your laptop can't, continue with this method. If the network
isn't available for any devices, contact your internet provider for
troubleshooting.
Minimize wireless interference.
If your Wi-Fi
connection keeps dropping or the signal strength is low even when you're
in close range of the access point, there might be something
interfering with the signal.
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To minimize interference:
- Move away from devices that use 2.4GHz or 5.0GHz bandwidths, such as
microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, 2-way radios, some tablets,
Wi-Fi cameras, and unshielded power or video cables.
- Try to minimize physical obstructions as well, especially walls and
furniture made of concrete, brick, marble/stone, metal, reflective
glass, water, or ceramic tile.
Forget and re-add the network.
If
you are able to see the Wi-Fi network when trying to connect but are
unable to make the connection, you might be able to fix the problem by
removing and re-adding the connection. Here's how:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Click Network.
- Click Wi-Fi.
- Click Advanced.
- Select the Wi-Fi network and click the minus sign.
- Click Remove.
- Close all windows and then try to reconnect to the network. You will
need to re-enter the Wi-Fi password if it was previously saved.
Still not working?
Try connecting
your Mac to a different Wi-Fi network. Take your MacBook to another
location, such as a café or library, and see if you can connect there.
- If you can't connect at another location, there's likely a hardware
issue with your MacBook, and you should contact Apple for service.
- If you can connect at a café, check for and install any updates.[7]
Then, try to connect to the original network again. If you still
can't connect, there's likely an issue with your home Wi-Fi
router—contact your internet provider for assistance.