Your Mac can't see the network, won't stay connected, or connects but has no internet — and the fix depends on which one is happening

A Mac that won't connect to WiFi usually falls into one of three problems: the network doesn't appear in your available list, your Mac connects but when ready drops off, or it connects and stays connected but doesn't actually reach the internet. Each one has a different cause and a different fix. Start by identifying which situation you're in, then work through the steps for that specific problem.

Most of the time, the issue lives in one of three places: your Mac's WiFi hardware needs to be turned back on, your router has temporarily lost track of your Mac, or your Mac is holding onto old network information that no longer works. The fixes are straightforward and don't require any technical knowledge — just patience to work through them in order.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that WiFi is actually turned on in your Mac's menu bar — it's often off after sleep or a restart without anyone realizing it.
  • Forget the network in your Mac's WiFi settings and reconnect from scratch, which clears out old passwords and connection data that may be corrupted.
  • Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then your Mac, which fixes most temporary connection problems.
  • If your Mac connects but has no internet, the problem is usually your router or internet provider, not your Mac.

Check that WiFi is turned on in your menu bar

The most common reason a Mac won't connect is that WiFi is straightforward turned off. Look at the top right of your screen where you see the time and battery. If you see a WiFi icon with a line through it, or no WiFi icon at all, WiFi is off on your Mac.

Click the WiFi icon in the menu bar. A dropdown menu appears. If you see "Turn WiFi On" at the top, click it. If you see "WiFi: On" with a checkmark, WiFi is already on and the problem is elsewhere. Close this menu and move to the next section.

After turning WiFi on, wait 10 seconds. Your Mac will scan for networks. The network you want should appear in that same dropdown menu. Click the network name, enter the password if prompted, and wait for the checkmark to appear next to it.

Forget the network and reconnect to clear corrupted settings

If your Mac sees the network but won't connect, or connects and when ready drops off, the problem is usually corrupted connection data stored on your Mac. The fastest fix is to forget the network entirely and reconnect, which wipes out that old data.

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock, or click the Apple menu and select System Settings). Click WiFi in the left sidebar. You'll see your current network listed. Click the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the network name. Click "Forget This Network" and confirm.

Now your Mac has deleted all the old information about that network. Click WiFi in the left sidebar again. Your network should appear in the list. Click it, enter the password exactly as it appears on your router or in your records, and wait for the connection to establish. This usually takes 10 to 15 seconds.

Restart your router and your Mac

If forgetting and reconnecting didn't work, the problem may be on your router's side. Routers keep track of which devices are connected, and sometimes that list gets corrupted or the router gets stuck. A restart clears this out.

Unplug your router's power cable. Wait 30 seconds — this is important, as it gives the router time to fully shut down. Plug it back in and wait two minutes for it to fully restart. You'll usually see lights on the front of the router blink as it boots up.

While the router restarts, shut down your Mac completely. Click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, and wait for it to turn off. Once the router is fully restarted (lights have stopped blinking and settled into a steady pattern), turn your Mac back on. Once it's fully booted, try connecting to the network again using the steps above.

Check your password and network name spelling

If your Mac keeps rejecting the password, the issue is usually a typo in the password itself. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. They also often contain special characters like underscores, hyphens, or numbers that are straightforward to misread.

Find your router or your WiFi setup paperwork and look at the network name (called the SSID) and password exactly as written. The easiest way to avoid typos is to copy the password from your paperwork and paste it into the password field on your Mac. If you don't have the paperwork, you can usually find the password on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router itself.

If you've tried multiple times and you're certain the password is correct, your router may have reset itself. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for how to reset it to factory settings, which will restore the default network name and password printed on the device.

Your Mac connects but has no internet — check your router and modem

If your Mac successfully connects to the network (you see the checkmark next to the network name) but websites won't load and apps can't reach the internet, the problem is not your Mac. It's your router or your internet connection itself.

First, check whether other devices in your home can reach the internet. Try a phone, tablet, or another computer. If they can't either, the problem is your internet provider or your modem, not your Mac or router. Restart your modem by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait three minutes for it to fully restart.

If other devices can reach the internet but your Mac can't, the problem is your Mac's connection to the router specifically. Go back to System Settings, click WiFi, and forget the network again. Reconnect using the password. If that doesn't work, restart both your Mac and your router using the steps in the earlier section.

Check for macOS updates and restart in Safe Mode

If you've worked through all the steps above and your Mac still won't connect, the problem may be a software issue. First, check whether your Mac needs a system update. Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then click General in the left sidebar. Click Software Update and wait while your Mac checks for updates. If updates are available, install them and restart your Mac.

If updates don't help, try restarting your Mac in Safe Mode, which loads only essential software and can help identify whether a third-party app is interfering with WiFi. Shut down your Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold the Shift key. Keep holding Shift until you see "Safe Mode" in the login window. Log in and try connecting to WiFi. If it works in Safe Mode, a third-party app is likely the cause — restart normally and uninstall any security software or VPN apps you've installed recently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mac keep disconnecting from WiFi even though it says it's connected?

This usually means your Mac and router aren't communicating properly. Forget the network and reconnect (the steps in the second section), then restart both your router and Mac. If disconnections continue, move your Mac closer to the router to rule out a weak signal, or restart your router daily until the problem stops.

My Mac sees the network but says the password is wrong, and I know it's correct

WiFi passwords are case-sensitive and straightforward to mistype, especially if they contain numbers or special characters. Copy the password directly from your router's sticker or paperwork and paste it into the password field rather than typing it. If that doesn't work, your router may have reset — check the sticker on the router for the default password.

Can I connect to WiFi on my iPhone but not my Mac?

This means your router is working fine, so the problem is specific to your Mac. Forget the network on your Mac and reconnect. If that doesn't work, restart your Mac. If the problem persists only on your Mac, your Mac's WiFi hardware may need service, but try the steps in this article first.

What if I've tried everything and my Mac still won't connect?

At this point, the issue is likely a hardware problem with your Mac's WiFi card or a deeper software issue. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store with your Mac. Bring your router's network name and password so they can test your Mac on a known working network.