How to Reset Network Settings on MacOS

Modified on Thu, 08 Oct 2020 at 02:19 PM

Resetting your network settings may help resolve intermittent or unusual problems while trying to use the ETS Wi-Fi network.

Method 1: Remove and add the Wi-Fi interface

Erase the Wi-Fi interface, please make sure that Wi-Fi is selected on the sidebar. Once done, click the minus (-) sign just below the left corner of network preferences to remove it. Once you remove the interface, you can then create a new one to add your WiFi network. After you remove it, click + then on the Interface dropdown, select Wi-Fi then click Create. Once done, click Apply. Here is how:

Follow the steps below to remove and re-add and the Wi-Fi connection:

  1. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > NetworkmacOS Network
  2. Select Wi-Fi and click minus (-) button to remove. And click Apply.Mac Wi-Fi interface
  3. No add the Wi-Fi interface by clicking the plus (+) sign. Select Wi-Fi as Interface and click Create.Then Click Apply and exit Settings.Add Wi-Fi Mac

Method 2: Wipe all Wi-Fi Settings

You can also remove all your Wi-Fi settings. So that you can start fresh. This involves deleting all preference plist files associated with wireless settings in macOS.  Here is how:

  1. Turn off Wifi by clicking the Turn Wi-Fi Off in the menu bar.Turn Off Wi-Fi
  2. Go to Finder and click Go and Go To Folder… (or press Command+Shift+G)
  3. Enter the following and click Go
  4. /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/macOS Go To Folder
  5. This will open a window and select the following files:
    • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
    • com.apple.network.identification.plist
    • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
    • NetworkInterfaces.plist
    • preferences.plistmacOS Wi-Fi settings
  6. Copy these files to the desktop for a backup (you can restore them later by placing these folder back here again) and then delete (move them to the Trash) them from this folder. Make sure that they are no longer in the SystemConfiguration folder.
  7. Empty the Trash. Do not worry. Your Mac will recreate all new preference files for wireless networking.
  8. Reboot your Mac by going to Apple menu > Restart
  9. Turn on Wi-Fi

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