macOS Wi-Fi Not Working — No Internet Connection Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

When your Mac's Wi-Fi is not working, it could mean the Wi-Fi is off, you are connected but have no internet, or the Wi-Fi hardware is having trouble. The most common causes are a router that needs restarting, corrupted Wi-Fi preference files, or an IP address conflict on your network. Almost all Wi-Fi problems are fixable at home.

Affected Models

MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
iMac
Mac Mini
Mac Studio

Common Causes

Your router needs to be restarted after a power blip or software glitch
macOS has been assigned an IP address that conflicts with another device on your network
The Wi-Fi preference files on your Mac have become corrupted
Your Mac's Wi-Fi is connected to the router but the router has no internet from your ISP
A macOS update changed your network settings or disabled network extensions

How to Fix It

Restart your router and Mac. Unplug the router from power, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. Then restart your Mac.

This is the single most effective fix for Wi-Fi problems. Routers develop small glitches that are cleared by a full power cycle.
Forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect. Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi. Click the Details button next to your network name, then click Forget This Network. Reconnect by selecting the network and entering the password.

This clears any corrupt connection settings for that specific network.
Renew your DHCP lease. Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details (next to your connected network) > TCP/IP tab > click Renew DHCP Lease.

DHCP is the system that assigns your Mac an IP address. Renewing it gives your Mac a fresh address and often fixes 'connected but no internet' problems.
Delete Wi-Fi preference files. Open Finder > Go > Go to Folder. Type /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration and press Enter. Delete files named com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist, com.apple.network.identification.plist, and NetworkInterfaces.plist. Restart your Mac.

These files store your network history and configuration. Deleting them forces macOS to rebuild them fresh. You will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.
Change your DNS server. Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details > DNS tab. Remove existing DNS entries and add 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).

Your ISP's DNS server may be slow or malfunctioning. Using Google or Cloudflare DNS is faster and more reliable for most people.

When to Call a Professional

If your Mac's Wi-Fi hardware does not appear in System Settings (no Wi-Fi option at all), the Wi-Fi card may have failed. This is rare and usually caused by liquid damage or a physical drop. An Apple Store can diagnose and replace the Wi-Fi module.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Mac says 'Connected' to Wi-Fi but I have no internet. Why?

Being 'connected' to Wi-Fi means your Mac has a working connection to your router. But if the router itself has no internet from your ISP, you will be connected to the router but have no internet. Check if other devices like your phone can use the internet on the same Wi-Fi network.

Why does my Mac lose Wi-Fi after waking from sleep?

This is a known issue with macOS and certain Wi-Fi routers. Try turning Wi-Fi off and on again in System Settings after the Mac wakes. Deleting the Wi-Fi preference files (Step 4) usually fixes this permanently.

Will deleting Wi-Fi preference files delete my saved passwords?

Your Wi-Fi passwords are stored in Keychain, not in the preference files. Deleting the preference files will make your Mac 'forget' which networks you have joined, but your passwords remain in Keychain. When you reconnect to a known network, macOS will find the saved password automatically.