(Solved) MacBook connected to Wi-Fi but no internet

You try accessing a site via your browser on a MacBook and the page fails to load, instead, you get an error saying that the page failed to load because you’re not connected to the internet. You check your MacBook and there, you’re connected to your Wi-Fi network.

MacBook connected to Wi-Fi but no internet might be due to several reasons to do with your router, Internet Service Provider, or the MacBook. You can resolve this by restarting the router/modem, forget the Wi-Fi and reconnect, change the DNS, run wireless diagnostics, or restart your MacBook.

Since the root cause of the issue is uncertain, we can carry out some troubleshooting to help determine the cause. Try connecting another device like your smartphone to the same network and open a website on your browser. If there’s no internet on it too, then the problem most likely lies with either your router/modem or ISP. If the internet connection works on the device, then chances are that your MacBook has an issue. In case you have no other device to try connecting with, then you can try connecting your MacBook to a different Wi-Fi. If the issue still persists, then the MacBook has a problem. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot your issue.

MacBook connected to Wi-Fi but no internet

1. Restart your router/modem & MacBook

If the other devices that you’ve attempted to connect to the same Wi-Fi network still can’t connect, then your router/modem might be the culprit. If you have both a modem and router, restart them both. Unplug both the modem router’s cable from the power source and wait for about 30 seconds before plugging them back in. Once plugged in, wait for another minute for these devices to fully power back on and try accessing the internet on your MacBook by moving it closer to the router. To avoid any further issues with your router, check that all cables are properly connected and ensure that you keep the firmware up-to-date with the latest version.

Also, go ahead and restart your MacBook device by going to the Apple menu and clicking on Restart.

1. Forget the Wi-Fi network

This is another viable solution for your MacBook. You should only use this solution if you can remember your Wi-Fi network’s password as you would have to type in afterward. Go to System Preferences on your MacBook and select Network. In the sidebar, click on ‘Wi-Fi’ and then select ‘Advanced…’ in the bottom-right. From the list, select your Wi-Fi network’s name and delete it by clicking the Minus(-) button and then click OK and finally ‘Apply’. Now reconnect the Wi-Fi connection and type in your Wi-Fi password. Test and check if the issue has cleared. If not, then proceed to the next solution.

1. Run wireless diagnostics

macOS the software which MacBooks run on has an inbuilt feature called Wireless Diagnostics tool that you can use to analyze and fix your Wi-Fi connection. It may not fix all your issues but will point you in the right direction by analyzing the configuration. Close all open apps then press and hold the Option key. While still pressing the Option key, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select ‘Wireless Diagnostics’ from the drop-down menu. Click on ‘Continue’ and enter your password when prompted. Wait for a few minutes for Wireless Diagnostics to run. If you get an error code after Wireless Diagnostics running, then copy the error and check it online.

1. Change the DNS

The DNS (Domain Name Service) allows your MacBook to convert domain names into IP addresses for you to quickly visit websites and servers that you frequent by autocompleting them for you. If your MacBook uses a DNS server that is offline, slow, or faulty, then you will encounter issues when connecting to the internet. To switch the DNS on your MacBook, close any open web browser and then go to Apple Menu and select System Preferences. To proceed, click on Network and select Wi-Fi then click on Advanced. Under Advanced, select the ‘DNS’ tab and then under DNS Servers, click on the Plus (+) button. Enter the IPv4 or IPv6 address for the DNS Server that you want to change. There are many DNS that you can use including the Google public DNS (8.8.8.8) or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222). Add the DNS you wish to change and click on OK to confirm changes and save them.

1. Contact your Internet Service Provider

Sometimes, the issue might lie with your ISP. There might be a possibility that there is a service outage in your area or issues with your account. For example, your account might have been suspended for a reason. Contact your ISP for further guidance and assistance.

FAQs

How do I check Wi-Fi recommendations on my Mac?

You can check the Wi-Fi recommendations of your MacBook running onmacOSSiera or a later version. When your PC is checking for any issues when you attempt to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, the MacBook will display a new item called ‘Wi-Fi Recommendations’ on your Wi-Fi status menu bar.

How do I use an Ethernet cable on my MacBook if it doesn’t have an Ethernet port?

Most recent MacBook models like the MacBook Air don’t come with Ethernet ports which limits your internet connectivity options. However, you can still connect using a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet connector.