How to Reset Wi-Fi Network Settings on Mac

Experiencing persistent Wi-Fi issues on your Mac? Perhaps you’re facing connectivity problems, slow speeds, or trouble joining networks. In many cases, resetting your Mac’s Wi-Fi network settings can resolve these frustrating problems by clearing out potentially corrupted configurations. This guide will walk you through the steps to completely reset your Mac’s Wi-Fi settings, allowing you to start fresh with your wireless connections.

Understanding What a Wi-Fi Reset Does

Resetting your Mac’s Wi-Fi settings involves deleting specific preference files related to your network configurations. This includes information about:

• Known Wi-Fi networks and their passwords.
• DHCP and DNS settings.
• Other Wi-Fi related preferences.

By removing these files, you essentially force your Mac to rebuild its Wi-Fi configurations from scratch.

Step-by-Step Guide

Important Precaution: Back Up Your Files (Optional but Recommended)

While this process is generally safe, it’s always a good practice to back up your important files before making any system-level changes on your Mac. You can use Time Machine or your preferred backup method.

Step 1: Navigate to the System Configuration Folder

The Wi-Fi preference files are located in a specific hidden folder on your Mac. Here’s how to access it:

1. Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in your Dock (it looks like a smiling face).
2. Go to Folder: In the Finder menu bar at the top of your screen, click on “Go”.
3. Select “Go to Folder…”: From the dropdown menu, choose “Go to Folder…” (or press Shift + Command + G).
4. Enter the Path: In the “Go to Folder” dialog box, type or paste the following exact path: /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration
5. Click “Go”: Press the Return key or click the “Go” button. This will open the SystemConfiguration folder.

Step 2: Identify and Back Up the Wi-Fi Preference Files (Highly Recommended)

Before deleting any files, it’s wise to create a backup of the specific Wi-Fi related preference files on your Desktop. This allows you to restore them if any unexpected issues arise after the reset.

1. Locate the Files: Within the SystemConfiguration folder, find the following four files:
   • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
   • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
   • NetworkInterfaces.plist
   • preferences.plist¹
2. Copy to Desktop:
   • Select all four of these files. You can do this by clicking on the first file, holding down the Command key, and then clicking on the other three files.
   • Press Command + C to copy the selected files.
   • Click on your Desktop to make it the active window.
   • Press Command + V to paste the copied files onto your Desktop. You’ll now have a temporary backup of these files.

Step 3: Delete the Wi-Fi Preference Files

Now, you’ll delete the original Wi-Fi preference files from the SystemConfiguration folder.

1. Select the Files (if you haven’t already): In the SystemConfiguration folder, select the same four files you copied to your Desktop:
   • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
   • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
   • NetworkInterfaces.plist
   • preferences.plist
2. Move to Trash: Drag the selected files to the Trash icon in your Dock.
3. Authenticate: You will likely be prompted to enter your administrator password to authorize this action. Enter your password and click “OK”.
4. Empty Trash: Right-click (or Control-click) on the Trash icon in your Dock and select “Empty Trash”. Click “Empty Trash” again to confirm. This permanently deletes the selected files.

Step 4: Restart Your Mac

After deleting the Wi-Fi preference files and emptying the Trash, it’s crucial to restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.

1. Click the Apple Menu: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “Restart…”: From the dropdown menu, choose “Restart…”.
3. Confirm Restart: Click the “Restart” button in the dialog box.

Step 5: Reconnect to Your Wi-Fi Network

Once your Mac has restarted, the Wi-Fi settings will have been reset. You’ll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network:

1. Turn On Wi-Fi: Ensure that Wi-Fi is turned on. You can do this by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar (top-right of your screen) and toggling the Wi-Fi switch.
2. Select Your Network: Click on the Wi-Fi icon again and choose your Wi-Fi network from the list.
3. Enter Password: You will be prompted to enter the password for your Wi-Fi network.

Troubleshooting Tip: Restart Your Router

In addition to resetting your Mac’s Wi-Fi settings, it’s often beneficial to restart your Wi-Fi router as well.

1. Unplug Your Router: Locate your Wi-Fi router and unplug it from the power outlet.
2. Wait 30 Seconds: Leave the router unplugged for about 30 seconds to allow it to fully reset.
3. Plug Back In: Plug the router back into the power outlet and wait for it to fully power on and reconnect to the internet.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively reset your Mac’s Wi-Fi network settings and potentially resolve various connectivity issues. Remember to back up the preference files as a precaution. If you continue to experience problems after the reset, the issue might lie with your router, internet service provider, or a different hardware or software component on your Mac.