Resetting Network Connections on macOS

Resetting Network Connections on macOS

This article outlines several methods for resetting network connections on macOS. These steps can be helpful for troubleshooting various network issues, such as slow internet speeds, difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi, or problems with specific network services.

Important Note: Resetting network connections can sometimes remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings. Make sure you have these details handy before proceeding.

Methods for Resetting Network Connections:

These methods are presented in order of least disruptive to most disruptive. Start with the first method and proceed down the list if the issue persists.

1. Renewing DHCP Lease:

This method is often the simplest and most effective for resolving basic network connectivity issues. It requests a new IP address from your router.  

• For Wi-Fi:

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
  2. Select the network you're connected to (or trying to connect to).
  3. Click "Details..."
  4. Go to the "TCP/IP" tab.
  5. Click "Renew DHCP Lease."

• For Ethernet:

  1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions) > Network.  
      
  2. Select your Ethernet connection in the sidebar.
  3. Click "Details..." (or "Advanced..." in older macOS versions).
  4. Go to the "TCP/IP" tab.
  5. Click "Renew DHCP Lease."

2. Restarting Your Router/Modem:

Sometimes, the issue lies with your networking hardware. Restarting your router and modem can sometimes resolve these problems. 
NOTE: If you are using a managed UniFi network, please submit a ticket to detail the issue. Restarting is not a preferred method for enterprise-level networks.

1. Unplug the power cables from both your modem and router.
2. Wait for about 30 seconds.
3. Plug the modem back in and wait for it to fully power on (lights should stabilize).
4. Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully power on.

3. Creating a New Network Location:

A network location stores your network settings. Creating a new one can sometimes resolve issues caused by corrupted settings.

1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions) > Network.
2. From the "Location" dropdown menu at the top, select "Edit Locations..."
3. Click the "+" button to add a new location. Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Home," "Work").
4. Click "Done."
5. Configure your network settings in the new location as needed.

4. Resetting the Wi-Fi Interfaces (More Advanced):

This involves removing and re-adding the Wi-Fi interfaces. This is a more advanced step and should be used with caution.

1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions) > Network.
2. Click the Wi-Fi option in the sidebar.
3. Click the "Turn Wi-Fi Off" button.
4. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
5. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:

networksetup -removeallwificonfig
sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
sudo rm /Library/Keychains/System.keychain

• You'll be prompted for your administrator password after the sudo command.

6. Restart your Mac.
7. After restarting, go back to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Network and turn Wi-Fi back on. You'll need to re-add your Wi-Fi networks.

5. Resetting the Network Stack (Most Drastic - Use with Caution):

This is the most drastic step and should only be used if all other methods have failed. It resets the entire network stack and can sometimes resolve complex network issues.

1. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

sudo networksetup -setairportpower en0 off  # Replace en0 with en1 if necessary (check your Wi-Fi interface name in Network settings)
sudo networksetup -setairportpower en0 on

If the above commands don't work, try using en1 instead of en0. You can check the interface name in System Settings > Network.

After Resetting:

After performing any of these steps, it's crucial to test your network connection. Try browsing websites, sending emails, or using other network-dependent applications. If the issue persists, you may need to contact your internet service provider or seek further technical support by opening a support ticket.