How to Fix: WiFi or Network Problems on macOS Big Sur

macOS Big Sur is a big update for Mac computers and is an exciting and intriguing change from previous updates. It brings with it plenty of new features and functions to utilize but also some problems associated with some bugs that still need to be ironed out due to the release being so recent.

One problem that people are experiencing after installing Big Sur is issues with WiFi and Network connections.

Let’s take a look at that problem here and some easy fixes you can try if the problem happens to you.

WiFi and Network Problems After Installing macOS Big Sur

When new versions of macOS are released, there are typically some bugs and glitches associated with it.

These are fixed by Apple’s developers quickly but can be the source of some common issues, such as WiFi and Network problems.

This problem can also be associated with apps installed on your computer that may not be compatible with the new update.

Fix #1 – Restart Your Mac

If you are running into WiFi and network problems immediately after installing macOS Big Sur, a good first attempt at fixing the issue is simply restarting your computer.

This can often fix smaller issues and might be all you need to do to resolve the problem quickly. If this doesn’t work, keep reading for some other suggestions.

Fix #2 – Forget Network

Another way to fix problems with the WiFi and Network after installing Big Sur is to forget the network that you have been connected to.

This can help you get things resolved quickly, and some users have reported that it works when encountering the problem.

To forget the network on your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Open System Preferences from your applications folder
2. Select Network
3. Select Wi-Fi
4. Click on Advanced
5. Find the network you want to forget and then press the minus button –. The network you want to forget is the one that you are trying to connect to.
6. Select Remove
7. Restart your computer and try to connect to the network again.

Fix #3 – Start Your Mac in Safe Mode

Sometimes the WiFi and network problems associated with installing Big Sur can be a result of certain apps you have installed on your computer.

To find out if this is part of the issue you are experiencing, you can restart your computer into Safe Mode.

Safe Mode allows you to start up your computer without running any unnecessary apps and can provide you with insight into what might be causing your problem.

To start your computer in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Wait for about 10 seconds for your computer to completely shut down.
3. Press the power button to turn your Mac back on and then immediately press the Shift key.
4. Hold down the shift key until you see the login window.
5. Your computer will now boot up in Safe Mode.
6. Attempt to connect to a WiFi network.
7. If you can connect, you most likely have an issue with an app.
8. If you can’t connect, attempt another fix.

If you can connect to WiFi in safe mode and are experiencing an issue with an app that is causing connection problems, make sure that you go through your system and update all apps to their latest versions.

Fix #4 – Reset SMC

Resetting the SMC is another way to fix network and WiFi issues you might be experiencing after the update.

This process helps to resolve some hardware-related bugs but can also allow you to fix network issues as well. SMC stands for System Management Controller and is a good function to know how to perform if you ever run into similar issues.

To perform an SMC reset on your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Shut down your computer.
2. Wait for about 10 seconds for your Mac to completely power down.
3. Hold down the Control, Option, and Shift keys for 7 seconds. Your computer might turn on during this time.
4. Continue holding down the keys and also press down the power button.
5. Hold down all of these keys for another 7 seconds.
6. Release all of the keys.
7. Wait for several seconds and then turn your computer on.
8. Attempt to connect to a WiFi network and see if the SMC reset fixed your issues.

Depending on what model of Mac computer you have, the process for performing an SMC reset may be a little different.

Take a look at this list that explains how to reset the SMC on your particular MacBook or Mac desktop computer.

Final Thoughts

Let’s face it, a computer without a WiFi connection is almost like a car without a steering wheel. And if you encounter an issue with your WiFI or network connection after upgrading to macOS Big Sur, this is one potential problem you can encounter.

Luckily, the fixes found here can help you fix the problem quickly and effectively. If the fixes here don’t fix your problem, you can always reach out to Apple customer support to ask them directly.

You can also look through the Apple discussion groups to see if there are any new fixes available that haven’t been mentioned here.

Typically, the bugs that can cause a WiFi and work problem are ironed out in new versions of the update – so you shouldn’t expect to experience the issue for long.