macOS Monterey had some solid new features that Mac users can take advantage of, but it’s not immune from issues, especially if your Mac is running an early version of Monterey.
One issue people are dealing with after installing macOS Monterey onto their systems is the Wi-Fi not working correctly.
This is a troubling problem if it happens to you, but luckily a few quick fixes should have your computer’s wi-fi running normally in no time.
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Why Am I Experiencing WiFi Problems After Installing macOS Monterey?
New releases of macOS often experience a few bugs and glitches as people start using the new operating system.
Typically, these issues are worked out by Apple’s developers quickly, but that doesn’t mean you won’t experience the wi-fi issue if you have recently installed Monterey.
Fix #1: Restart Your Mac and Wi-Fi Router
Anytime you experience a wi-fi issue, it’s a good idea to start with the simple steps before diving into anything too complicated. A quick restart of your Mac and/or wi-fi router might fix the problem without the need for any additional help.
To restart your computer, click on the Apple icon in the top left window and then select Restart.
To restart your WiFi router, disconnected it from its power source, wait a few seconds, and then reconnect the power cord.
Fix #2: Perform Diagnostics on Wi-Fi
If a restart didn’t do the trick, it’s time to go a little more in-depth to figure out the source of the problem. Running diagnostics on your Mac’s wireless connection can help figure out what’s going wrong.
There is a built-in tool on your computer that can locate potential problems and help you fix them.
To run wi-fi diagnostics, follow these steps:
- Hold down the Option key on your keypad and then click on the wi-fi icon on the top right section of the window.
- Select Open Wireless Diagnostics
- A window will pop up with some information about diagnostics; click Continue
- The system will now run a diagnostic test on your wireless connection.
This test can tell you what the issue is and give you tips to fix it. If those don’t work, continue to the next fix below.
Fix #3: Change Settings for Hiding IP Address
One of the new features on macOS Monterey is a version of the Safari browser that is more secure than previous versions. One of these security features hides your IP address, which can slow down or cause other problems with your wi-fi.
Turning this feature off can get everything working again.
To disable the hidden IP address feature on Safari, follow these steps:
- Open your Safari browser
- Click on the Safari icon in the top left of the window
- Select Preferences from the drop-down menu
- Go to the Privacy tab
- Click the box to uncheck Hide IP address from trackers
Note that even if you don’t use Safari as your primary browser, this setting can still affect your wi-fi. So if you use Chrome, you should still go into Safari and make the change.
Fix #4: Reset PRAM/NVRAM (Intel Mac Only)
If the Wi-Fi on your computer won’t turn on at all after installing macOS Monterey, you might need to reset the PRAM/NVRAM. This is a section of your computer’s memory that stores important settings.
Sometimes issues can appear with these settings after installing a new OS, but a reset can get everything back to normal.
To reset PRAM/NVRAM on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Shut down your computer
- Press the Command, Option, P, and R keys at the same time and then turn the computer back on
- Keep holding the keys down until you hear the computer make the startup noise two times
- Let go of the keys, and the PRAM is now reset.
Fix #5: Get Rid of Unused Wi-Fi Networks
Your computer can automatically store every wi-fi network it has ever connected to. You may not be aware of this, and it can cause wi-fi issues because networks with a similar name will cause your computer to try to connect. Deleting any unused or unwanted networks can fix the problem.
To get rid of unused wi-fi networks, follow these steps:
- Click on the wi-fi icon on the top right of your window
- Select Network Preferences
- A new window will appear and click on Advanced
- Select the Wi-Fi tab from the next window. This will give you a list of all the saved networks.
- Select every network you don’t need to be saved and click on the – button to remove.
Final Thoughts
Every computer needs to have properly functioning wi-fi, and any problems with the function of this feature can leave you scratching your head.
If you experience any wi-fi issues after installing macOS Monterey, be sure to go through all of the fixes mentioned above, and you should be able to get it working correctly again.
