Search guides

Fix a Mac that will not connect to Wi‑Fi

We'll check Wi‑Fi is on, rule out preferences and adapter, forget and reconnect, and isolate hardware vs software—or tell you when to call support.

Troubleshooting · Wi‑Fi & networking
10–25 min
What you'll need
  • Router and Mac
  • Wi‑Fi password (from router sticker or admin)
Step 1 of 7

Quick triage — pick your path

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

Show full guide

Steps

Goal: Check Wi‑Fi is on, rule out preferences, forget and reconnect, and isolate hardware vs software.

  • Confirm Wi‑Fi is on and networks appear in the menu bar.
  • Good: Wi‑Fi on. Proceed to Check if other devices connect.
  • Bad: No networks—reset Wi‑Fi in Terminal or create new network location.

Check Wi‑Fi is on

Goal: Rule out Wi‑Fi being disabled.

  • Click the Wi‑Fi icon in the menu bar. Confirm Wi‑Fi is on. Networks should appear.
  • Good: Wi‑Fi is on and networks appear.
  • Bad: Wi‑Fi will not turn on or no networks—reset Wi‑Fi (Terminal: sudo networksetup -setairportpower en0 off then on).

Check if other devices connect

Goal: Isolate Mac vs router.

  • Use a phone or another laptop to connect to the same Wi‑Fi. If other devices connect, the issue is with this Mac. If no device connects, the issue is the router.
  • Good: Other devices connect—focus on this Mac. Proceed to Forget and reconnect.
  • Bad: No device connects—power-cycle the router; see Fix a Wi‑Fi that will not show network.

Forget and reconnect

Goal: Clear cached settings and re-enter the password.

  • Click Wi‑Fi icon, select the network, Options, Forget This Network. Reconnect and enter the password. Check caps lock is off.
  • Good: The Mac connects. You are done.
  • Bad: Still fails—proceed to Reset Wi‑Fi.

Reset Wi‑Fi

Goal: Reset the Wi‑Fi adapter and preferences.

  • Create a new network location in System Settings, Network. Or run in Terminal: sudo networksetup -setairportpower en0 off then sudo networksetup -setairportpower en0 on. Restart.
  • Good: Wi‑Fi resets and the Mac connects. You are done.
  • Bad: Still fails—call support.

When to get help

Call Apple or a technician if:

  • The Mac does not see any networks.
  • Other devices connect but the Mac never does after network reset.
  • Wi‑Fi adapter shows errors in System Information.

Verification

  • The Mac connects to Wi‑Fi and stays connected.
  • Web pages load (test with fast.com or similar).
  • No “Can not connect” or authentication errors.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Wi‑Fi on Confirm Wi‑Fi is on; check networks appear.
  2. Forget and reconnect Forget network; reconnect with correct password.
  3. New location and reset Create new network location; reset Wi‑Fi in Terminal.
  4. Power-cycle and update Power-cycle router and Mac; update macOS.
  5. Call support Mac does not see networks; all steps failed.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Mac model and macOS version:
  • Wi‑Fi: networks visible (yes/no)
  • Whether other devices connect to the same network:
  • Steps already tried:

Is Wi‑Fi on and do networks appear?

Wi‑Fi off or adapter issue can hide networks.

Click the Wi‑Fi icon. Confirm Wi‑Fi is on. Good: networks appear—check if other devices connect. Bad: no networks—reset Wi‑Fi in Terminal or call support.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Turn on Wi‑Fi and reset

Turn on Wi‑Fi in menu bar. Run: sudo networksetup -setairportpower en0 off then on. If still no networks, create new network location or call support.

Done

Can other devices connect to the same network?

If no device connects, the issue is the router.

Try a phone or another laptop. Good: other devices connect—focus on this Mac (forget network, new location). Bad: no device connects—check router; see Fix a Wi‑Fi that will not show network.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Check the router

Power-cycle the router. Check if the network appears on other devices. See Fix a Wi‑Fi that will not show network or Fix a Wi‑Fi that connects but has no internet.

Done

Forget the network and reconnect

Cached bad settings can block connection.

Forget the network on the Mac. Reconnect with the correct password. Check caps lock. Good: connects—done. Bad: still fails—create new network location, reset Wi‑Fi.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Create new location and reset Wi‑Fi

System Settings, Network, Edit Locations, add new location. Or run: sudo networksetup -setairportpower en0 off then on. If still fails, call support.

Done

Connected

The Mac connects to Wi‑Fi. You are done.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a Mac not connect to Wi‑Fi?
Wi‑Fi off, wrong password, corrupted network preferences, or router rejecting the device. Check Wi‑Fi is on and forget/reconnect first.
Can I fix a Mac that will not connect to Wi‑Fi myself?
Yes. Turn on Wi‑Fi, forget and reconnect to the network, create a new network location, reset Wi‑Fi. If the Mac never sees networks, a technician may be needed.
When should I call support for Mac Wi‑Fi connection?
If the Mac does not see any networks, other devices connect but the Mac never does, or you have tried network reset with no change.

Rate this guide

Was this helpful?

Continue to