Troubleshooting Apple Mac WiFi connection problems
We already know your pain, trying to get a wireless connection to work can be perhaps the most infuriating thing in the world when it’s not going smoothly, so follow our tips and see if we can ease your frustration with Apple Mac.
Check your info
Click the wifi logo in the top right of your Mac and have a look on the drop down to make sure you’re connecting to the right signal. If it is trying to connect to a signal that you do not recognise, click Open Network Preferences < Advanced… < click the signal your Mac is trying to connect to and then once it’s highlighted, press the minus button underneath to forget the network.
Check WiFi Router
Have a look at your router and ensure that all the correct lights are on and no warning signs are being displayed, if you’re unsure about how to do this, search ‘is my *internet provider* router working’ this will bring up the relevant pages for you to check. If you find you do have warning signals, you’ll need to get in contact with your service provider. Some providers have an automatic website that will appear when you open safari if your Broadband is down.
Restart your Mac
The classic, the mantra.. have you tried turning it off and on again? Always worth a go especially with an issue that can be so frustrating!
Check for System Updates
If none of the above has worked, the next thing to check is wether you have any outstanding software updates for you operating system, if you select the Apple logo in the top left corner you will have a notification number next to system preferences if there is one outstanding. Although it may not seem important, some firmware and software patches in the updates address the hardware of your Mac, things like the keyboard, trackpad and most importantly the wireless card!
Wireless Diagnostics
Click the magnifying glass in the top right of your screen and search ‘wireless diagnostics’ click the application and it will bring you a new window. On the first page it will say at the top wether your wireless is working correctly or not, if it is then close the app, if not click continue. On the next page select ‘continue to summary’ then click continue. On the pages after that just click continue until you get a full dull diagnostics report. You will usually have to wait for a loading bar before this is created. It may not mean much to you but will help a professional solve your problem if you have one.
Reset SMC
Resetting SMC (system management controller) reboots many of your Macs core functions, it may not always work but it’s worth giving it a go if you’ve got to this stage without any luck. To reset your Macs SMC follow these instructions:
- Shutdown your Mac.
- Connect the charger
- Hold Shift+Control+Option and the Power button at the same time for approx. 10 seconds
- Release the keys
- Reboot your Mac and test the keyboard.
If you still can’t get onto your WiFi after this, you can try a very similar process, resetting the PRAM.
Reset PRAM
Resetting Parameter Random Access Memory puts system settings like brightness, sound, contrast back to factory spec. This may just kick start your wireless card if something funny has happened to the settings. Do this as follows:
- Turn off Mac
- start your Mac and hold Command+Option+P+R before the gray screen appears.
- Once you hear the Mac chime release all keys.
- Check keyboard once Mac has booted up
Nothing helped?
If nothing has helped solve your problem by this stage and you are sure your Broadband is working as it should, you’ll need to get in touch with a leading Apple specialist.
Here at Hero Tech Support we offer free pick up, free diagnosis and free delivery across Hampshire and Dorset. We also give free advice by email and phone! So don’t hesitate to get in touch and see if we can solve your Macs problems.
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