Mac Connected to Wi-Fi but no Internet access? Fix

When you wanted to visit a website, your browser (like Safari) won’t load the site, instead, says:

Failed to open page. You are not connected to the Internet. This page can’t be displayed because your computer is currently offline.

This problem is very common: Your Mac does not connect to the Internet. Because there’s no working Internet connection. You check the status of your wireless
network connection, and it shows that your Mac is currently connected to Wi-Fi. However, you cannot get online?

It’s very important to fix this problem because unless it is fixed, webpages in Safari or other browsers will not open. In addition, other Internet apps (FaceTime, Mail, Messages,
App Store) will not work.

In this article, I’m going to tell you exactly what you can do to fix when your Mac is connected to your Wi-Fi network but has no Internet access.
See alsoiPhone connected to Wi-Fi but no internet? fix

Mac Wi-Fi Connected But No Internet Access? Fix

This problem can be caused by a couple of things. Please try the fixes below in order. Test your Mac between steps to see if
the Internet access is working again. After each step, use a web browser to connect to any site of your choice.

1. Determine what the problem is

First of all, let’s try to figure out the issue. You need to answer a few questions:

• Does this problem occur with more than one Wi-Fi device? Answering this is important because your Internet problem may be linked to a particular network
  or it may be linked to your Mac.

try connecting to the same Wi-Fi network using another device such as iPhone, iPad or your friend’s smartphone.

• If the Internet is working as expected on other devices, meaning if other devices successfully connects to the Wi-Fi network, your Mac is the culprit.
• If internet is not working on other devices as well, there could be an issue with your Wi-Fi router/modem or Internet service provider.
• If you cannot conduct this test meaning you have no other devices, you can try connecting your Mac to a different Wi-Fi network (like at
  your friend’s house), if your Mac can connect to the Internet, it means there is a problem with your Wi-Fi network.

If other devices can connect to the Internet successfully, then you can conclude that your Wi-Fi router is fine.

2. Restart your modem/router

If your router and modem are separate devices, try restarting both of them. There could be a router problem especially if the Internet doesn’t work on your other
devices, like your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch etc. Please follow these steps:

• Disconnect your router and modem (disconnect the power cable).
• Wait for about 30 seconds.
• Now, plug your router and modem back in (connect back the power cable) (first your modem and then your router).
• Wait for about 1 minute and check if your Mac can connect to the Internet.

Additionally:

• Update your Wi-Fi router to the latest firmware. Get in touch with the manufacturer for help.
• Ensure that your Mac is close to your router. Ensure that you are within range so that you get a good signal. Poor wireless strength can
  cause these types of issues.
• Inspect all your cables and connections. Make sure that everything is plugged in correctly. Additionally, ensure that your cables are not broken , cut,
  or damaged. You may experience a problem if your cables are loose or disconnected. Make sure that all the cables are firmly plugged in. Unplug and plug them back in.

3. Internet service

There could be a problem at the provider’s end, Contact your cable company or Internet provider. There are two likelihoods:

• There could be a service outage in your location.
• There could be problems with your account. For instance, there is a possibility that your service may have been suspended for some reason.

If you’re using a Wi-Fi network at a company, learning institution, hotel, store, airport, coffee shop, etc, ask an employee for help.

4. Wi-Fi recommendations

If your Mac is running macOS Siera or higher, it’ll check for issues when you want to connect to the Internet over Wi-Fi. If macOS detects any issues,
you will see a new item saying “Wi-Fi Recommendations” in the Wi-Fi status menu bar, when you click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. Choose this to get the recommendations.
If this option is not available, then macOS didn’t detect any issues.

5. Restart your Mac

Turning your Mac off and on may fix your problem if your Mac Wi-fi is not working. To restart your Mac, simply choose Restart from the Apple menu.
Now check to see if your problem has been resolved. Wi-Fi not working on Mac? Try the next solution.

6. Reset network setting on Mac

Try to forget the Wi-Fi network. Before you restart network on MacOS, ensure that you have your
Wi-Fi password
handy. Please follow these steps to reset network settings on Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Now, click Network.
3. You will see a list on the left. Select Wi-Fi.
4. Next, choose Advanced.
5. Go to the Wi-Fi tab.
6. Here, choose the Wi-Fi network that you wish your Mac to forget.
7. Click the remove button (–) and confirm your decision.
8. Now, hit Ok and Apply.

Now reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. You will need to type in your password.

7. Apple’s Wireless Diagnostic

You can use the Wireless Diagnostics feature to analyze your Wi-Fi connection. More specifically, the feature will analyze your wireless environment and configuration helping you identify and resolve your Wi-Fi issues. Please follow these steps to use the Wireless Diagnostics tool:

1. Quit all apps and connect to the Wi-Fi network (yes we know Mac internet is not working).
2. Press and hold down the Option (Alt) key.
3. While holding down the Option (Alt) key, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
4. You’ll see a new menu item, click Open Wireless Diagnostics.
5. Now, hit Continue. If asked, type in your admin password.
6. Wireless Diagnostics will run. You may need to wait a few minutes.

8. Update your Software

Ensure that your Mac is running the latest version of macOS.
Please follow these steps to update your Mac:

• To update macOS Mojave or later: Launch System Preferences and go to Software Update. And if there is an update available, follow the onscreen prompts to download and install the update.
• To update macOS High Sierra or older: launch the App Store on your Mac. Then go to the Updates tab. And follow the onscreen prompts to download and install the update.

9. Date and Time settings

Ensure that the date and time on your Mac are correct. Please follow these steps:

1. Click the Apple menu and go to System Preferences.
2. Click Date & Time.
3. If the date and time are incorrect, Update. Check to make sure the closest city is correct. You can make changes by selecting the lock icon.
4. Also, you can enable Set Automatically by ticking the “set date and time automatically” box.

10. Renew DHCP Lease

Doing so may resolve Mac wi-fi issues. This will force your Mac to renew your current IP address from the DHCP server. Please follow these steps:

1. Go to System Preferences.
2. Click Network.
3. Click Wi-Fi.
4. Choose the name of your wi-fi.
5. Now, click Advanced.
6. Click the TCP/IP tab located at the top of the screen.
7. Finally, click “Renew DHCP Lease”.

11. Reset your SMC, PRAM or NVRAM

Please follow these steps to reset your SMC, PRAM or NVRAM on your Mac. Doing so is worth a try.

• Reset PRAM or NVRAM: Turn off your Mac: Go to Apple Menu and then click Shut Down. Then, power on your Mac and immediately press and hold down the Option, Command, P, and R keys
  together. Hold down these keys for about 20 seconds. And then let go off the keys.
• Reset SMC.

12. Delete Preference Files

Deleting all preference wireless setting plist files may help you fix wi-fi connectivity issues on Mac. Please follow these steps:

1. Turn off Wi-Fi.
2. Launch Finder on your Mac.
3. Click Go and head over to Folder (or press Command+Shift+G).
4. Type in the following:
   • /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/
   • Locate the files listed below:
     • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
     • com.apple.network.identification.plist
     • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
     • NetworkInterfaces.plist
     • preferences.plist
   • Now, create a folder and put them to this folder (so you will have these files so you can put them back in case you are not satisfied with the result).
     Or you can directly put them to the Trash. And empty the Trash.
   • Now restart your Mac.
   • And turnWi-Fi on and try to connect to the Internet.

Also, you may want to
reset the network settings on your Mac.

13. Apple support

Are you still experiencing wi-fi connectivity issues on Mac? You may want to
contact Apple Support.
The following are available Apple support options:

• Live chat.
• Genius Bar reservation.

See alsoWi-Fi keeps disconnecting from your iPhone? fix