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    1 min read 5 stepsFebruary 9, 2026Verified February 2026

    How to Troubleshoot Wi-Fi Issues on Mac

    Fix common Wi-Fi problems like dropped connections and slow speeds on Mac.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Mac Guides
    Difficulty
    Advanced
    Read Time
    1 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    advanced
    mac
    wifi
    troubleshooting
    network

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Turn Wi-Fi off and on
    2. 2.Forget and rejoin network
    3. 3.Renew DHCP lease
    4. 4.Reset network settings
    5. 5.Run Wireless Diagnostics
    1

    Turn Wi-Fi off and on

    ~15s
    Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar → toggle Wi-Fi off, wait 10 seconds, toggle back on.

    Quick Tip

    This simple step fixes most temporary Wi-Fi issues. Wait a full 10 seconds with Wi-Fi off before turning it back on.

    2

    Forget and rejoin network

    ~15s
    System SettingsNetworkWi-Fi → your network → DetailsForget This Network. Then reconnect.

    Warning

    You will need your Wi-Fi password to reconnect after forgetting the network. Check the sticker on your router first.

    3

    Renew DHCP lease

    ~15s
    System SettingsNetworkWi-FiDetailsTCP/IPRenew DHCP Lease.
    4

    Reset network settings

    ~15s
    Delete Wi-Fi preference files in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ and restart.
    5

    Run Wireless Diagnostics

    ~15s
    Hold Option and click the Wi-Fi iconOpen Wireless Diagnostics for Apple's built-in diagnostic tool.

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    advanced
    mac
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    network

    Official Resources

    Apple SupportHow-To Geek — MacApple Support YouTube

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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    How to Troubleshoot Wi-Fi Issues on Mac — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure