Computers
Computer Parts
Custom PC Builder
DIY/ Maker
{$smarty.capture.menu}
Activity
Categories
Discussions
Computers
Computer Parts
Custom PC Builder
DIY/ Maker
General Network Troubleshooting Tips for macOS - Micro Center
<main> <article class="userContent"> <p>If you're experiencing issues with your internet on your Mac, there are quite a few things you can try to fix those problems.</p><p>The first thing to try is to reboot your router/modem to make sure they aren't causing the issue. A simple reboot could fix the problem within a minute. If your computer is plugged directly into your router with an Ethernet cable, make sure the wire is securely in the back of your computer and router/modem. You can also try another port on the back of your router. </p><p>If you are getting an invalid password message when trying to connect to your Wi-Fi, remember that wireless passwords are case sensitive. You can typically find default passwords and SSIDs (network names) written on a label on the router. If you try that and the password is still incorrect and you are not sure what it is, contact your <strong>Internet Service Provider</strong> for assistance with retrieving your wireless password.</p><p><br></p><p>If those quick tips don't help, there are a variety of methods to try to get the Mac back online:</p><p>1. Check your other devices that are connecting to the same network. If other devices are experiencing issues or not connecting either, contact your Internet Service Provider.</p><p>2. Reboot the Mac first by opening the Apple menu and selecting <strong>Restart…</strong> from the menu. Do not reopen windows upon logging in. Try the connection again after restarting.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/pz/xok3atghyu8y.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/pz/xok3atghyu8y.jpg" alt="xok3atghyu8y.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>3. Reset the DRAM/NVRAM. First, shut down the computer. Locate the <strong>Option</strong>, <strong>Command</strong>, <strong>R</strong> and <strong>P</strong> keys on your keyboard. Press the power button to turn the computer on, then <strong>immediately</strong> press and hold these four keys together until it boots back up. You can let go after about 20 seconds, during which you may see your Mac restart.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/2s/gbe3lmkhj70v.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/2s/gbe3lmkhj70v.jpg" alt="gbe3lmkhj70v.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>4. Forget the network and reconnect to it. To do this:</p><p>a. Go to the Apple menu and select <strong>System Preferences</strong>.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/wh/whxs35r6xvqi.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/wh/whxs35r6xvqi.jpg" alt="whxs35r6xvqi.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>b. Click on <strong>Network</strong>. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/as/7hiw49j0umnd.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/as/7hiw49j0umnd.jpg" alt="7hiw49j0umnd.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p> c. Select <strong>Wi-Fi</strong> on the left and then select <strong>Advanced…</strong> </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/dq/m82b48vdili2.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/dq/m82b48vdili2.jpg" alt="m82b48vdili2.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p> d. Select your Wi-Fi and then click on the minus sign below the list to remove it. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/53/fdlcevcga5yn.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/53/fdlcevcga5yn.jpg" alt="fdlcevcga5yn.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>e. Close that window. Click the wireless icon on the top-right corner of the screen and then click your Wi-Fi network. If it has a lock icon, you will need to enter the network password. Type it in and click <strong>Join</strong>.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/as/c68r6hc4esw7.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/as/c68r6hc4esw7.jpg" alt="c68r6hc4esw7.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>5. Next, run Wireless Diagnostics. To do this:</p><p>a. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click on the Wireless Icon. Select <strong>Open Wireless Diagnostics…</strong></p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/0i/nzgggij29awg.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/0i/nzgggij29awg.jpg" alt="nzgggij29awg.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>b. The Wireless Diagnostics window will open with the Introduction. Click <strong>Continue</strong>. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/pj/d8ud1je9s82z.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/pj/d8ud1je9s82z.jpg" alt="d8ud1je9s82z.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>c. Wireless diagnostics will perform an initial scan of the network. If nothing is detected, you have the option to monitor the Wi-Fi connection. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/eb/oayaandmxzeq.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/eb/oayaandmxzeq.jpg" alt="oayaandmxzeq.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>d. Fill in additional information regarding your network. Press <strong>Continue</strong>. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/xz/w0acywk0whxd.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/xz/w0acywk0whxd.jpg" alt="w0acywk0whxd.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>e. Wireless Diagnostics will create a diagnostics report. This can take several minutes. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/r9/60m8mbnexvbu.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/r9/60m8mbnexvbu.jpg" alt="60m8mbnexvbu.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>f. Once finished, it’ll give you a summary of the diagnostics that you can review. When you are finished, click on <strong>Done</strong>. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/gh/yoatkhcabmyh.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6031942/uploads/editor/gh/yoatkhcabmyh.jpg" alt="yoatkhcabmyh.jpg" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>6. If you're using Wi-Fi but your Mac has an ethernet port, try using an ethernet cable and plugging directly into your router instead. If the issues go away when using an ethernet cable, and none of the previous steps fixed your wireless issues, it is possible there are hardware issues with your wireless adapter.</p> </article> </main>