How To Fix A Mac That Won’t Connect To WiFi

Mac WiFi Problems are one of the common issues for Mac users. Many of them complained their Mac won’t connect to WiFi while their friend’s Mac doesn’t have that problem. WiFi issues can be caused by many factors, such as a WiFi network scheme, the router settings, and so on. If you are facing this issue, we have some solutions that may help you to solve it easily all by yourself.

Solutions For Mac WiFi Problems

Solution No. 1: Restart your Mac

Restart your Mac. This is the fastest and easiest step before you try the other solutions. Restarting Mac will make sure the issue isn’t associated with the Software. It is suggested to uncheck the option “Reopen Windows when logging back”. By doing so, Mac won’t open the last app that was used before the restart.

Solution No. 2: Remove Login Apps

If the WiFi problems are still appearing after you restarted your Mac, try to remove login items and restart again. Login items is an application that will be opened automatically after login. By removing it, the Login Items will not open by itself and it may solve your Mac WiFi problems.

Open system preferences >> Users & Groups
Click tab Login Items
Check all applications
Click the (-) sign

Solution No. 3: Update OS X

Bugs on OS X can cause Mac WiFi Problems. To avoid that, make sure you update the OS X to the latest one. We suggest you back up your data first, before upgrading it.

Click the Apple logo on the top left corner
Click App Store
Choose the Update tab and click the Update or Update All buttons

Solution No 4: Remove the registered WiFi

If you try to connect to the locked WiFi but it doesn’t work, try to remove it first. After that, you can try to reconnect again by entering the WiFi password.

Go to System Preferences >> Network
On the left column, choose WiFi
Choose Advanced
Choose the WiFi name, then click the (-) sign
Try to reconnect

Solution No. 5: Change Location to Automatic and Renew DHCD

If you are often changing the WiFi network and make a special location, ensure to reset it to the automatic settings. It will allow your Mac to connect to the new WiFi network.

Go to System preferences >> Network
Choose Location
Click Automatic

Then, go to Advanced >> TCP/IP tab
Click on Renew DHCP Lease

Solution No. 6: Make sure DNS Server address is correct

The DNS server address has to be filled with the correct address, at least the one that you find on the router. You can add the other address given by the other ISP or DNS, such as OpenDNS or Google DNS. To ensure you fill in the correct DNS Server address:

Go to System Preferences >> Network
On the left column, choose WiFi
Choose Advanced >> TCP/IP tab

Write the router address on a paper
Go to the DNS tab
Make sure the DNS Server is filled by the correct address, including the router address
You can add the DNS server address by clicking the (-) sign

Solution No. 7: Check the Proxies Settings

Make sure you have unchecked all the Proxies Settings by opening the System Preferences >> Network. On the left column, choose WiFi. Then, click the option Advanced >> Proxies tab. You also need to ensure that there’s no protocol chosen.

Solution No. 8: Delete System Configuration

By deleting the System Configuration, all the configurations will be gone. But, it can solve the Mac WiFi problems faster.

Open Finder App
Click Go >> Go to Folder
Copy and paste this address: /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/
Copy all content to a new folder, for back-up

If everything has been copied, you can delete all
Insert your admin password
Restart your Mac
Try to re-connect to WiFi

Solution No.9: WiFi is not detected (WiFi No hardware installed)

Usually, it’s associated with hardware and you need to contact Applecare or the nearest Apple Service Provider.

Source: howtogeek.com

Solution No.10: Create a new network location with custom DNS

This solution is for those who have Mac WiFi problems on OS X El Capitan. Some Mac users reported this issue after they installed the OS X update. Creating a new network with custom DNS settings can help you to get rid of the issue:

First of all, quit all the apps on your Mac that are running on WiFi, such as Safari, Mail, Chrome, etc
Click on the Apple menu  on the top-right corner of your Mac
Hit System Preferences.
Find and click “Network”
On the left side list, choose WiFi
Click on “Location” column >> choose “Edit Location” >> click the (+) sign to create the new location >> type a name for the new network, then click “Done”.

It’s time to join the WiFi network that you can find beside the “Network Name”
You need to insert the password of your router
Click on the “Advanced” button >> Click on TCP/IP tab >> find and click Renew DHCP Lease button. Choose Apply on a pop-up message

Click the “DNS” tab.
Click the (+) sign under the “DNS Servers” tab to add a new DNS Server.
Now, type 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 – – it’s DNS for Google.

Click on the “Hardware” tab >> hit the tab next to the “Configure” menu and you will find a drop-down menu
Choose Manually
Select Custom on the drop-down menu next to “MTU”. Then type 1453 on the tab under the “MTU” and click “OK”
The last to end up the process hit the “Apply” button.

Solution No.11: Delete Preferences .plist

You can also try to delete one of the preferences (.plist), which is related to connectivity issues. This file exists in the Library folder in your Home folder. Follow the instruction below:

Open Finder app
On the bar menu, choose “Go” >> “Go to Folder” or you can also use a shortcut by pressing Command + Shift + G
On the drop-down dialogue box, type: ~/Library/Preferences

Find the preferences files:

com.apple.internetconfig.plist
com.apple.internetconfigpriv.plist

Copy/paste that preferences file in a folder or Desktop as a precaution, then delete them from the Library folder.
Restart Computer.

These problems/solutions are found and effective on all Mac models: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook, iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro with Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, Maverick, Yosemite, El Capitan.

If you have tried all of the solutions above, but you are still facing Mac WiFi problems, it’s time for you to contact Genius Bar or visit the nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider.