Wi-Fi

Mac Wi-Fi disconnects after sleep

After sleep, the Mac must join the Wi-Fi network again. When that fails or takes long, apps lose the connection. This guide finds when the drops happen and removes the usual causes.

Applies to: macOS 13 Ventura and later for the System Settings steps. The Terminal commands work on all current versions.Checked: 29 October 2026

Symptoms

After you open the lid or wake the Mac, the Wi-Fi icon shows no connection for some time.
Wi-Fi shows as connected after wake, but pages do not load.
A VPN, a call or a download stops each time the Mac sleeps.
The Mac joins a different network after wake than before sleep.

Likely causes

The Mac must join again after sleep. Apps that held a connection before sleep must connect again. Some apps do not do this well.
Router settings. Apple says that different network names for each band can make devices connect unreliably. Old firmware and weak security modes also cause problems.
VPN or security software. Software that monitors or filters network traffic can block access until it starts again after wake.
Two known networks in range. After wake, the Mac can join a different known network, such as a phone hotspot. See Mac joins the wrong Wi-Fi network.
Weak signal at the place where the Mac sleeps. A weak signal can make the first join after wake fail. See Weak Wi-Fi signal on a Mac.

How to check

Open Terminal. Show the most recent sleep and wake events, with their times.
```
pmset -g log | grep -E ' (Sleep|Wake|DarkWake) ' | tail -20
```
Compare the wake times with the times when the connection failed.
After the next wake, look at the network state. Each interface shows if it is reachable.
```
scutil --nwi
```
Find the address of your router.
```
route -n get default
```
Output The gateway line shows the router address.
Ping the router. Replies show that the Wi-Fi link works.
```
ping -c 10 192.168.1.1
```
Hold the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. Make sure that the network name is the one you expect.

How to fix it

Install all macOS updates. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
If you manage the router, install its latest firmware and restart it.
Give the router one network name for all bands. Use WPA3 Personal or WPA2/WPA3 Transitional security.
Make sure that VPN and security apps are up to date. Turn them off for a test, if your administrator lets you.
Forget the network and join it again. In System Settings > Wi-Fi, click Details next to the network, then click Forget This Network.
To restart Wi-Fi from Terminal, turn the Wi-Fi power off and on. Use the device name that networksetup -listallhardwareports shows.
```
networksetup -setairportpower en0 off && networksetup -setairportpower en0 on
```
If the problem continues, use Wireless Diagnostics. See Use Wireless Diagnostics and wdutil on a Mac.

With Kilobat

The Kilobat app records each drop while it runs. Show the drops from Terminal. Each event has a start, an end and a kind.
```
kilobat outages
```
Output Events such as Unreachable, Wi-Fi roam and Network changed.
Show the router, internet and DNS checks over the last day, to see when quality dropped.
```
kilobat health-history --hours 24
```
A gap in the history means that the app did not run. It does not prove that the connection worked.
The CLI is free. Outage history in the app is part of Kilobat Pro.

Questions

Does “Wake for network access” keep Wi-Fi connected during sleep?

No. That setting lets the Mac wake for network requests, such as file sharing. See Use Wake for network access on a Mac.

Should I reset the network settings?

Try the steps on this page first. Forgetting one network and joining it again changes less than other resets.

Sources

Apple Support: If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi
Apple Support: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
Apple Support: Wi-Fi settings on Mac
pmset(1), scutil(8) and networksetup(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2

Sources checked on 29 October 2026. Man pages are the ones installed with macOS; open one with man <name> in Terminal.