Wi-Fi stopped working after a macOS update

After a macOS update, Wi-Fi can fail to join, drop often, or join but carry no traffic. The update itself is only one possible cause. Network software and old router settings often need a change too.

Fix this with your agentCopies a prompt for Claude Code, Codex or any agent that can use Terminal.

My Mac has this problem: Wi-Fi stopped working after a macOS update. Read https://kilobat.app/guides/wifi-broken-after-macos-update.md and work through it with me. Install the Kilobat CLI if it’s missing: brew install seifip/kilobat/kilobat. Run the guide’s Terminal and kilobat checks yourself and tell me what you find. List the steps only I can do. Ask before you change any setting.

Applies to: macOS 14 Sonoma and later for the System Settings steps. The Terminal commands work on all current versions.Checked: 7 November 2026

Symptoms

  • The Mac joins Wi-Fi, but no pages load since the update.
  • The Mac cannot join a network that worked before the update.
  • Wi-Fi drops more often than before the update.
  • Other devices on the same network work.

Likely causes

  • VPN, firewall or filter software. These apps use network extensions. Apple says that software that monitors or interacts with network connections can block internet access. An old version can fail on a new macOS.
  • Router security or firmware. Apple recommends WPA3 Personal or WPA2/WPA3 Transitional, and up-to-date firmware. Old modes such as WPA or TKIP can cause problems with current devices.
  • Saved network settings. A saved network can keep settings that no longer match the router. Forgetting it and joining again removes them.
  • A configuration profile. Profiles from work or school can set Wi-Fi, VPN and other settings.
  • A problem in macOS itself. Apple fixes problems in later updates. Apple does not publish a list of known Wi-Fi bugs, so this guide names none.

How to check

  1. Join another network, such as an iPhone hotspot. If it works, the problem is specific to one network or router.

  2. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Click the Info button for Network Extensions.

  3. Note each extension that is on. Each belongs to a VPN, firewall or filter app.

  4. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Network. Look for VPN and filter configurations.

  5. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Device Management. Look for profiles that you do not know.

  6. Show the network services and their order.

    networksetup -listnetworkserviceorder

  7. Hold the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon. Choose Open Wireless Diagnostics and follow the steps.

  8. Look in Control Center or the menu bar for a Wi-Fi Recommendations item. If it shows, choose it.

How to fix it

  1. Install the latest macOS update. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.

  2. Update each VPN, firewall and security app. Check its maker's site for support for your macOS version.

  3. If an app has no update, turn off its network extension for a test. Then try Wi-Fi again.

  4. Make sure that the date and time are correct. Apple lists this as a check for internet problems.

  5. Forget the network and join it again. In System Settings > Wi-Fi, click Details, then click Forget This Network.

  6. Restart the Mac. The Mac then renews its network address.

  7. If you manage the router, install its latest firmware and restart it.

  8. Set the router to WPA3 Personal or WPA2/WPA3 Transitional. Do not use WPA, WEP or TKIP.

  9. To test without login items and extensions, start up in safe mode. Apple says Wi-Fi might not work as expected in safe mode.

  10. If nothing helps, contact Apple Support. Attach the Wireless Diagnostics report from /var/tmp.

The exact menus for your router, from FRITZ!Box and Xfinity to eero and Livebox: router guides.

With Kilobat

  1. Find where the connection fails. Kilobat checks Wi-Fi, the router, the internet, DNS and sign-in pages.

    kilobat diagnose

  2. If the router check passes and the internet check fails, look at VPN and filter software first.

  3. Show the VPN, and whether DNS or IPv6 skip it.

    kilobat vpn

  4. Find the layer that stops one site.

    kilobat why example.com

  5. Show the router, internet and DNS checks before and after the update.

    kilobat health-history --hours 72

  6. The CLI is free. History in the app is part of Kilobat Pro.

Questions

Should I reset all network settings?

Try the steps on this page first. Forgetting one network changes less than a full reset.

Will going back to the old macOS fix it?

It can, but it is a big change. Update your network apps and router first, and install the latest macOS update.

My VPN stopped working too. Is it the same problem?

It can be. See VPN stopped working after a macOS update for VPN-specific steps.

Sources

Checked on 7 November 2026.