Your MacBook can't see the network, won't stay connected, or connects but has no internet. Start with the simplest fixes first.

Most WiFi problems on a Mac fall into three categories: the Mac doesn't see your network at all, it connects but drops when ready, or it connects but can't reach the internet. Before you restart your router or call your internet provider, work through these steps in order—the first one solves the problem about half the time.

The fixes below assume your router is working (other devices can connect) and your internet is on. If your whole house is offline, contact your internet provider first.

Key Takeaways

  • Forgetting and rejoining the network solves most connection problems because it clears old settings your Mac is still trying to use.
  • Check System Settings > WiFi to see whether your Mac sees the network at all—if it doesn't appear, the problem is usually your router, not your Mac.
  • Restarting your Mac and your router in the right order (router first, then Mac) fixes temporary glitches that prevent connection.
  • If your Mac connects but has no internet, reset the network settings through System Settings rather than just disconnecting and reconnecting.
  • Some older Macs lose the ability to connect to newer WiFi standards—check your router's band settings if your Mac is more than five years old.

Forget the network and rejoin it

Open System Settings, then click WiFi in the sidebar. Find your network name in the list, click the information icon next to it, and select "Forget This Network." Your Mac will delete all the settings it remembers about that network.

Now rejoin: click WiFi in the menu bar at the top of your screen, find your network name, and enter your password again. This forces your Mac to create fresh connection settings instead of using old ones that may be corrupted or outdated.

This single step fixes the problem for most people. If it works, you're done. If your Mac still won't connect after this, move to the next step.

Check whether your Mac sees the network at all

Open System Settings and click WiFi. Look at the list of available networks. If your network name appears in the list, your Mac can see the router—skip to the next section. If your network name does not appear, your Mac cannot detect the signal.

When your Mac can't see the network, the problem is almost always your router, not your Mac. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then check the WiFi list again. If your network still doesn't appear, contact your internet provider or check your router's manual—your router may need a settings change or a firmware update.

If your network name does appear but your Mac won't connect to it, continue to the next section.

Restart your Mac and router in the correct order

Power off your Mac completely. Unplug your router's power cable and wait 30 seconds. Plug the router back in and wait two minutes for all its lights to stabilize. Then turn your Mac back on.

This clears temporary errors in both devices. Many connection problems are caused by a glitch in your router's memory that a full power cycle erases. After both devices have restarted, try connecting to WiFi again.

Reset your Mac's network settings

If your Mac connects to the network but shows no internet access, or if it connects and when ready disconnects, reset the network settings. Open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Transfer or Reset. Scroll down and click "Reset" next to "Reset network settings." Your Mac will ask for your password.

This removes all saved networks and network preferences, then rebuilds them from scratch. After the reset, your Mac will restart. When it comes back up, rejoin your WiFi network by entering your password again.

Resetting network settings is more thorough than forgetting a single network because it also clears DNS settings, proxy settings, and other connection details that can cause problems.

Check your router's WiFi bands and your Mac's age

Older Macs (roughly 2018 and earlier) may not support the newest WiFi standards. If your Mac is more than five years old and won't connect, check what your router is broadcasting.

Log into your router's settings (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser, or through your router's app). Look for WiFi settings or Band settings. If your router is set to broadcast only WiFi 6 (802.11ax) or only the 5 GHz band, your older Mac may not see it. Change the setting to broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, or set it to a mixed mode that includes older standards. Save the change and restart your router.

If you're not comfortable changing router settings, contact your internet provider—they can often do this remotely or walk you through it.

Check for macOS updates

WiFi drivers on a Mac are part of the operating system. If your Mac is running an old version of macOS, it may have a bug that prevents WiFi from working correctly. Open System Settings, click General, then click Software Update. If an update is available, install it and restart your Mac.

After the update, try connecting to WiFi again. Updates often include fixes for connection problems that Apple discovered after the previous version was released.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mac connect to WiFi but show no internet?

Your Mac is talking to the router but the router has no internet connection. Check whether other devices can browse the web. If they can't, your internet is down—contact your provider. If they can, reset your Mac's network settings as described above, which clears DNS settings that may be pointing to the wrong server.

My Mac keeps disconnecting from WiFi every few minutes. What causes this?

Intermittent disconnection usually means your Mac is losing signal or the router is dropping the connection. Move your Mac closer to the router to test whether distance is the problem. If it stays connected nearby but disconnects across the room, you may need a router with better range. If it disconnects even when close, reset your network settings and update macOS.

Can I use an older Mac with a new WiFi 6 router?

It depends on your Mac's age. Macs from 2013 onward support WiFi 5 (802.11ac). If your router broadcasts both WiFi 5 and WiFi 6, your older Mac will connect to WiFi 5. If your router broadcasts only WiFi 6, your Mac won't see it. Check your router's settings and enable WiFi 5 or 2.4 GHz mode alongside WiFi 6.

Should I restart my Mac or my router first when troubleshooting?

Always restart your router first, then your Mac. The router controls the network, so restarting it first clears any problems there. Then restarting your Mac ensures it connects to a fresh router. If you restart your Mac first, it may try to reconnect to a router that's still having problems.

What if none of these steps work?

If your Mac still won't connect after trying all these steps, the WiFi hardware in your Mac may be failing. Take your Mac to an Apple Store or Apple-certified repair shop and describe what you've already tried. They can run hardware diagnostics to check whether the WiFi card is working.