Network Troubleshooting for macOS

Ian

If you're experiencing issues visiting websites that normally work just fine, there are quite a few methods to try to get your Mac back online. 

The first thing to check with any internet outage is to reboot your router/modem to make sure they aren't the issue. A simple reboot could fix the problem within a minute. If you are using Ethernet make sure your wire is securely in the back of your computer and router/modem. You can also try another port on the back of your router. 

If you are getting an invalid password message when trying to connect wirelessly, remember that wireless passwords are case sensitive. You can typically find default passwords and SSIDs (network names) on the router as well. If the password is still incorrect and you are not sure what it is, you would want to contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance.

If those quick tips don't help, there are a variety of methods to try to get the Mac back online:

1.      Confirm other devices are connecting to the same network. If no other device is connecting, contact your internet service provider.

2.      Reboot the Mac first by opening the Apple menu and selecting Restart… from the menu. Do not reopen windows upon logging in.

3.      Reset the DRAM/NVRAM. Shut down the computer. Locate the Option, Command, R and P keys. As soon as you turn on the computer, hold these four keys down immediately after until it boots back up.

4.      Forget the network and reconnect to it.
a. Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences.

          b. Open Network. 

          c. Select the wireless network and then select Advanced… 

          d. Select the same wireless network and then click on the minus sign below the list to remove it. 

          e. Close out of the network windows and select the WiFi icon on the top right. Choose your
              connection. If it has a lock icon, you will need to enter the network password. 

5.      Run Wireless Diagnostics.
a. Hold down the Option key and click on the Wireless Icon. Select Open Wireless Diagnostics…

          b. The Wireless Diagnostics will open with the Introduction. Click Continue. 

          c. The wireless diagnostics will perform an initial scan of the network. If nothing is detected, you
              have the option to monitor the Wi-Fi connection. 

          d. Fill in additional information regarding your network. Press Continue. 

          e. The Wireless Diagnostics will create a diagnostics report. This can take several minutes. 

          f. Once finished, it’ll give you a summary of the diagnostics that you can review. When you are
             finished, click on Done. 

6.      If your computer has an Ethernet port available and you are using wireless, use an Ethernet cable. If you have access to the internet again or seeing much improved performance, it is possibly hardware issues with your wireless adapter and service may need to be looked into.