Resetting Network Settings is a widely used troubleshooting method to fix network connectivity issues on Mac. You can find below two different methods to Reset Network Settings on Mac.
Reset Network Settings on Mac
While iOS provides an option to Reset Network Settings on iPhone, there is really no option in macOS to Reset Network Settings.
The only way to Reset Network Settings on Mac is by manually removing the faulty Wi-Fi Network or Ethernet Network and creating a New Wi-Fi or Ethernet Network on your Mac.
While a Network Settings Reset does not erase any data from Mac, it does result in all your current Network Settings, Network Names and Passwords being removed or deleted from the computer.
Hence, make sure that you note down your Wi-Fi Network Password and VPN Network details, before going ahead with the steps to Reset Network Settings on your Mac.
1. Steps to Reset Network Settings on Mac
As mentioned above, the only easy way to Reset Network Settings on Mac is to remove the current Wi-Fi Network that is bothering you and create a New Wi-Fi Network.
Note: You may be prompted to enter Password when you rejoin Wi-Fi Network. Hence, note down the password for your Wi-Fi Network, before going ahead with these steps.
1. Click on Wi-Fi Icon located in top-menu bar (top-right corner) and Switch OFF Wi-Fi Network on your Mac.
2. Click on Apple Logo in top-menu bar > select System Preferences in the drop-down menu.
3. On the System Preferences screen, click on Network.
4. On the next screen, select your Wi-Fi Network in left-pane, click on the (-) Minus icon and then click on Apply to remove the selected Wi-Fi Network from your Mac.
5. On the same screen, make sure Automatic Location is selected and click on the (+) Icon.
6. On the pop-up, select Wi-Fi as the Interface, type a Name for the WiFi Network (Optional) and click on Create.
7. Click on Apply to save the New Wi-Fi Network on your Mac.
After this, switch ON the Wi-Fi Network on your Mac and see if you are able to connect to Internet.
2. Delete Network Configuration Files
Another way to Reset Network Settings on Mac is to delete Network related files from the System Configuration Folder.
1. Click on Wi-Fi Icon located in top-menu bar (top-right corner) and Switch OFF Wi-Fi Network on your Mac.
2. Next, click on the Finder Icon > select the Go tab in top-menu bar and click on Go to Folder option in the drop-down menu.
3. On the pop-up, type /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ and click on the Go button.
4. In System Configuration folder, delete the following Files (right-click and select Move to Trash option).
- NetworkInterfaces.plist
- Preferences.plist
- com.apple-airport.preferences.plist
- com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
- com.apple.network.identification.plist or com.apple.network.eapolclient or com.apple.network.configuration.plist
Important: Do not empty the Trash yet.
Restart your Mac and see if you are able to connect to internet.