(Solved) MacBook Pro Wi-Fi won’t turn on – How to fix

MacBook Pro devices connect to the internet via Wi-Fi when you turn on the Wi-Fi icon or it automatically detects a Wi-Fi connection and connects. However, you may sometimes experience a problem with the Wi-Fi turning on.

MacBook Pro Wi-Fiwon’t turn on because of several reasons that are hard to pinpoint. This issue can be resolved by running the inbuilt Wireless Diagnostics tool, delete and reset Wi-Fi, use the terminal, or check the hardware.

How to fix

First Method: Run the Wireless Diagnostics tool

The best place to start is by diagnosing the issue with inbuilt MacBook Pro tools. Go to the Apple menu and select ‘System Preferences’. Click on ‘Network’ and go down to the bottom of the window and click on ‘Assist me’ to start the Diagnostics tool. You can also use the Wireless Diagnostics app from Apple by clicking the Option + button and then select the Wi-Fi icon from the top-right corner of the screen. On the next window, click on ‘Open Wireless Diagnostics’ and read the summary after the search is complete and apply the appropriate remedies.

Second method: Delete and reset Wi-Fi

By running this step, you will configure your Wi-Fi settings and then have to set it up again. Turn off your Wi-Fi and close all apps running on your MacBook Pro. Open Finder and click on GO then navigate to the Library folder and click on Preferences. Locate the SystemConfiguration folder and copy it to your desktop then go back and delete the original folder. Reboot your MacBook Pro and wait for it fully power back on. The network will automatically be recreated and solve the issue. Navigate back to Wi-Fi preferences by opening ‘Network Preferences’. Turn on the Wi-Fi and try selecting a Wi-Fi network.

Third method: Disable Wake for Wi-Fi  

Sometimes, your Wi-Fi fails to turn back on after your MacBook Pro comes back from sleeping mode. You can fix this by going to System Preferences on your MacBook Pro and select ‘Energy Saver’. Disable the ‘Wake for Wi-Fi’ option and check if the problem has been resolved.

Fourth Method: Turn off Bluetooth  

When your MacBook Pro’s Bluetooth feature is turned on and connected to some devices, these devices might interfere with your Wi-Fi connection, especially if the signal is weak. You can try disconnecting Bluetooth on your PC and check if the problem is gone. Go to the Apple menu and select ‘System Preferences’. Select Bluetooth and click on ‘Turn Bluetooth off’ to turn off the feature. 

Fifth Method: Use the terminal  

Though the terminal is an advanced tool, you can still use it if you aren’t geeky. Launch the Finder app located on your dock and clock on Finder. Select ‘Applications’ on the left sidebar and then select the ‘Utilities’ folder.  Inside this Utilities folder, double-click on ‘Terminal’ or launch Spotlight and then search for Terminal by typing it in the search bar. Once the Terminal is launched type the‘ networksetup -setairportpower en0 off’ command in the terminal and hit the Return key, then type ‘networksetup -setairportpower en0 on’ and hit the Return key again. After these commands have successfully been executed, go back and check if the error has been fixed. If not, then proceed to the next method.

Sixth Method: Take the MacBook to a repair shop

If the above solutions didn’t fix your problem, then the issue could lie with your PC’s hardware. Take your MacBook to a certified repair shop and have them take a look.

FAQs

Can turning on my Bluetooth interfere with my Mac’s Wi-Fi connection?

Yes, Bluetooth devices sometimes interfere with your device’s Wi-Fi connection, especially when the Wi-Fi signal is weak. You can turn off Bluetooth on MacBook Pro by clicking on the Apple menu and then select ‘System Preferences’. Select Bluetooth and click on ‘Turn Bluetooth off’.

How can I connect to the internet without a Wi-Fi connection?

You can connect to the internet using a cable. If your MacBook Pro doesn’t have an Ethernet port, then use a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet cable and access the internet.