How to fix macOS Mojave WiFi problems, cannot connect to WiFi

Having trouble connecting to WiFi on macOS Mojave? If you do, then this post is for you. Read on to learn how to deal with random WiFi issues on your macOS Mojave device.

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How to fix macOS Mojave WiFi problems on your Mac

Before troubleshooting, verify and ensure that there are no ongoing outages in your place. Temporary network outages are usually the underlying cause if all devices are experiencing the same problem and that they’re all connected to the same network. You can contact your Internet service provider to verify the current network status, is necessary. Otherwise, try eliminating other possible triggers by applying these subsequent solutions.

First solution: Reboot (power cycle) the modem or router.

The main source of your Internet connection is the network equipment either a wireless router or modem (depending on your Internet setup). Like many other devices, modems and routers also encounter random firmware crashes. When this happens, various types of Internet problems arise on all connected devices. Among the usual symptoms would include but not limited to slow Internet browsing, intermittent Internet connection or no Internet connection at all. For minor symptoms, rebooting or power cycling the network equipment will likely solve the problem. If you can access your wireless router or modem at the moment, then you can consider this as the first workaround and possible solution to try. Here’s how to power cycle/reboot your network equipment:

  1. Turn off the network equipment by pressing on the Power switch until all the lights go off.
  2. While it’s turned off, unplug its AC adapter from the power source.
  3. After 30 seconds, plug it back in then turn it on.
  4. Wait for the network signal to stabilize.
  5. Allow your computer to re-establish connection to the network automatically, otherwise connect to WiFi network manually.

To test and see if your Internet connection is back, open your browser then navigate through different websites and pages to see if they’re able to load up as intended.

Second solution: Reboot your Mac.

The above procedure should suffice if the problem is attributed to minor firmware crashes on the modem or wireless router. But if the problem continues, then the next thing you should do is to rule out minor system issues with your Mac. The easiest potential solution to get rid of random system errors including those affecting your Mac’s WiFi network is a system reboot or device restart. So here’s what you should do next:

  1. Go to the Apple Menu.
  2. Select the option to Shut Down. Doing so will turn off the Mac.
  3. After a few seconds, press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds and then release it.
  4. Wait for a few more seconds and then press the Power button again to turn the Mac on.

This method is also used to reset the Mac SMC or System Management Controller to eliminate and resolve random issues including those affecting the computer’s network functions.

Alternatively, you can do the usual system reboot through these subsequent procedures.

  1. Click on the Apple Menu then select Restart from the given options.
  2. Then click on Restart again when asked to confirm that you want to restart your computer.

Another way to reboot your Mac is through the Control keys. Here’s how:

  1. Simultaneously press the Control and Eject keys on the keyboard.
  2. Select Restart when prompted with a selection.
  3. Your computer will then restart immediately.

If you want your computer to restart without asking you to confirm your command, just press the Control, Command, and Eject keys at the same time.

After it reboots, reconnect to WiFi and then see if the problem is gone.

Third solution: Disconnect your Mac from WiFi then reconnect.

Disconnecting from and reconnecting to your WiFi network can also help fix random symptoms affecting wireless Internet connections. Doing so will help refresh the Internet connection and eliminate minor errors affecting WiFi functions. Here’s how it works:

  1. Pull down the WiFi menu bar in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  2. Then select the option to Turn WiFi Off. Doing this disables the WiFi on your Mac temporarily.
  3. Then go to the Finder and create a new folder then name it WiFi Backups.
  4. After creating the folder, pull down the Go menu in the Finder and select Go To Folder.
  5. Enter this command:

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/

  1. Then select Go.
  2. Find and select the following files in the SystemConfiguration folder:

NetworkInterfaces.plist

com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist

com.apple.airport.preferences.plist

preferences.plist

  1. After selecting all those files, move them to the WiFi Backups folder you’ve recently created.
  2. Then pull down the Apple menu and select Restart to reboot your Mac.
  3. Wait for your Mac to boot up and then click the WiFi menu in the upper right corner.
  4. Then select the option to Turn WiFi On.

Join or connect to your preferred WiFi network and then try browsing through different websites with Safari.

Fourth solution: Forget WiFi network then add it back.

If the problem is attributed to a corrupted WiFi network, then forgetting WiFi can be the key to rectifying the error. You can forget all stored WiFi networks from your Mac to make sure none of them is causing conflict with the selected WiFi network. Here’s what you should do then:

  1. Go to your Home screen then click on the WiFi icon at the top-right of the display.
  2. Then scroll down and select the option to Open Network Preferences.

Hint: Alternatively, click the Apple logo on the top-left corner then select System Preferences.

  1. Then click on the WiFi panel.
  2. Click Advanced to open the screen that contains all the WiFi networks within range including the network you’re connected to.
  3. Select the name of the WiFi network that you want to forget then click the Minus (-) sign.
  4. Then click Remove and Apply.

If you see other saved WiFi networks, remove them all using the same method.

After forgetting all saved WiFi networks, reboot your Mac and then set up and reconnect to your WiFi network.

Fifth solution: Reset network settings on your Mac.

A network settings reset will erase your recent network configurations and resets WiFi networks and passwords, cellular settings and VPN settings back to their original/default values. Stored VPN information such as server name, password, VPN type and relevant data will also be deleted in the process. Any associated errors to these settings are likewise cleared out. Here’s how to reset network settings on your Mac:

  1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
  2. Click Network.
  3. Select WiFi on the left pane.
  4. Then click on the Minus (-) sign under it. Doing so will delete existing network configurations.
  5. After a few seconds, click on the Plus (+) sign then select WiFi from the drop-down menu to set up a new network connection.

If you still ended up having WiFi problems on your after exhausting all prior procedures, try to bypass your Internet connection, if possible. Bypassing the Internet connection is only applicable to wireless network setup. And it’s done this way:

  1. Get a functional and compatible Ethernet cable ready.
  2. Turn off your wireless router/modem.
  3. Then plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your computer’s Ethernet port and the other end to your wireless router or modem’s port. Make sure that both ends are properly connected and secured.
  4. Turn on your router or modem and wait until it re-establishes connection to the network.

Once you’re done with the physical connections (Ethernet cable connection), proceed to these steps to connect your Mac to the Internet using direct/Ethernet setup:

  1. On your Mac, click the Apple Menu then select System Preferences.
  2. Next, click Network.
  3. Select Ethernet in the list on the left pane.
  4. Then click the Configure IPv4 pop-up menu.
  5. Select your ISP’s recommended configuration method like Using DHCP or Using BootP, or DHCP with manual address or else, Manually.
  6. Then click Advanced and select DNS.
  7. Click the Add button (+) under DNS servers then enter the IP address of your ISP’s DNS server.
  8. To enter other IP settings given by your Internet service provider, click Advanced.
  9. To apply the recent settings or activate Ethernet service, click OK.
  10. Reboot your Mac then try to see if you can now connect to the Internet.

If you are not sure of what information to enter, contact your Internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator for further assistance.

To ensure that your Mac is properly configured for your current network setup, contact Apple Support for additional inputs.

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