What to do when Wi-fi fails

Step-by-step

1 Check the connection

Click the Wi-fi icon and there may be several networks with similar names. Are you connected to the right one? There can be a dozen in a public place, so pick the right one.

2 Log out or restart

There are two options on the Apple that can help: Log Out and Restart. Macs with SSDS can restart very quickly so that is the best option and sometimes it fixes the Wi-fi.

3 Use a VPN

Sometimes public Wi-fi is so restricted you might think it is broken. It could be just limited to a few websites and services. Use a VPN to unblock public Wi-fi hotspots.

4 Extra Wi-fi information

Press Option and click the Wi-fi icon to see an extended menu with extra information. It is technical and might not mean much, but see if there is anything obviously wrong.

5 Wireless Diagnostics

Option+click the Wi-fi icon in the menu bar and select ‘Open Wireless Diagnostics’. This is a hidden utility that checks the Mac’s network settings, Wi-fi connection and more.

6 View diagnostic tips

Follow the prompts to produce a Wireless Diagnostics report and when it has finished there will be one or more suggested fixes. Click the blue ‘i’ button to read the fixes.

7 Find the report

Where’s that diagnostic report? Click the Go menu in Finder and select ‘Go to Folder’. Enter /var/tmp and then double-click the most recent Wireless Diagnostics to extract it.

8 Diagnostic information

Open the Wireless Diagnostics folder and use Quick Look to view the txt files like diagnostics.txt. You might not understand everything, but sometimes faults can be seen.

9 Check the DNS

Open System Preferences>network and click ‘Advanced’. Select the DNS tab. If any DNS servers are listed, delete them. If none are here, try adding 9.9.9.9 or 8.8.8.8 servers.