If you’re having trouble getting your Mac to connect to Wi-Fi, don’t worry, most of the time it’s not a hardware problem. It’s usually something with the settings or software that can be fixed easily. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot and get you back up and running.
⚠️ Before You Start
- Ensure you’ve backed up your data using iCloud or an external hard drive.
- Make sure you’re within a good range from your modem or router, as distance is often a key cause of Wi-Fi connection problems.
Restart Router & Your Mac
- Switch off your Mac by navigating to the Apple Menu and selecting Shut Down.
- Next, switch off your router by removing the power from the wall socket or from the back of your router.
- Leave the router unplugged for at least 30 seconds and then plug the power cable back in.
- Wait for the router to initialise, this might take several minutes so it's best to leave this for at least 5 minutes or so.
- Switch on your Mac and then see if your device connects to your router. You may have to navigate to System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi and then reconnect to your network.
💡Tip: If your device is connected to your router but you’re still having trouble loading webpages or using online services, the problem is likely with your router or its settings. In that case, it’s a good idea to reach out to your Internet Service Provider for help.
Check other devices
It’s a good idea to check if other devices in your home are having internet problems too. If they are, then the issue is probably with your router or the connection coming from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
💡Tip: If your router is having an issue or other devices are having trouble connecting to the internet, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your Internet Service Provider for help.
Using a Personal Hotspot
Mobile phones connect to the internet using 4G or 5G, so you can actually use your phone like a router or modem. Try connecting your Mac to your phone’s mobile hotspot to see if it gets online. If it works, that means the problem isn’t with your Mac’s hardware, it’s likely something with your router or your Mac’s settings.
Setting up a Personal Hotspot can be a little different depending on your phone, but you’ll usually find the option in your phone’s internet or network settings. To set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone, just follow these steps:
- Select Settings and then Personal Hotspot.
- Ensure that Allow Others to Join is switched on.
Or
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select Mobile Service and then select Personal Hotspot.
- Ensure that Allow Others to Join is switched on.
💡Tip: Your personal hotspot will need a password, so check what it is on your phone. If you want, you can change it to something easier to remember, just be sure it includes numbers, letters, and symbols to keep it secure.
Removing network connections
Wi-Fi signals can sometimes be affected by interference, which may cause connectivity issues, especially if your device is attempting to connect to multiple networks simultaneously. Since Macs tend to remember previously connected networks, it’s a good idea to remove any old or unused networks before reconnecting to your home network. This can help ensure a smoother and more reliable connection.
- Navigate to System Settings and select Network.
- Click on Wi-Fi.
- Under Known Networks, select the 3 dots (...) and select Forget This Network.
- Repeat step 3 and remove all networks from the Known Networks section.
- Switch off your Wi-Fi by clicking on the slider (this should turn from blue to grey).
- Switch on your Wi-Fi and then select your network.
- Enter your network password and then see if your device connects.
Update your Mac
If you can connect your device directly to your router using Ethernet or USB-C, it’s definitely worth trying. Sometimes, your device might need a firmware or software update to connect properly. Here’s how you can do this:
- Connect your Mac to your router via Ethernet. (If you don't have an Ethernet port then you'd likely need an Ethernet to USB-C adapter.
- Navigate to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Allow time for the update to complete and then see if you're able to connect to your internet network.
Router Setup and Mac Configuration
A router wirelessly connects to devices using radio waves, which are signals that travel through the air within the electromagnetic spectrum. Typically, routers operate on either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency bands, with many models supporting both bands simultaneously.
The frequency band your router uses can impact your internet performance. If your router is set to the same band as nearby routers, it may cause interference and connection issues, especially if you live in a crowded area with many networks around.
We'd recommend speaking with your Internet Service Provider as they should be able to advise how to configure both your router and device for optimal performance.
Hardware Issues
If you're still having an issue with your device connecting to your internet then it'll be worthwhile running an Apple Diagnostics to check for any hardware issues. You can follow our step-by-step guide here to perform the test. You should be able to run an offline diagnostics without the need to connect to an internet network.
