OSX can no longer connect to Wifi

[musichascolors]

Hi, and thanks in advance,

I hard-powered down my mac mini (2012) while it was booting up, and since then, osx has been unable to connect to any wifi networks. It sees the networks, and asks for passwords if appropriate, but fails to connect. When using windows via bootcamp, I'm able to connect to wifi perfectly, so I assume something is corrupted in my OSX settings.

Steps I've tried already (that have been unsuccesful):

Upgrading OSX to Catalina (interestingly, this resolved the issue immediately after upgrade, but it then went back to not working, perhaps a clue?)
Deleting preference files from the library and restarting
Deleting wifi from the network preferences page
creating a new OSX account

I'm pretty suck at this point, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

We apologize for the long delay in responding...we overlooked this by mistake.

Are you still having the issue?

C

 

[miggie2099]

Hello and welcome.

We apologize for the long delay in responding...we overlooked this by mistake.

Are you still having the issue?

C

I am having the same problem. I have Mojave and need to stay there because of software I need. I called the internet provider and went to the same steps. It keeps telling me I need to be closer to the router. I have a Mac mini and am as close as I can be. Do you have a solution? The provider gave me another profile on their modem and it doesn't work either.

 

[miggie2099]

I am having the same problem. I have Mojave and need to stay there because of software I need. I called the internet provider and went to the same steps. It keeps telling me I need to be closer to the router. I have a Mac mini and am as close as I can be. Do you have a solution? The provider gave me another profile on their modem and it doesn't work either.

Yes

 

[miggie2099]

Yes

I brought an Ethernet cable and hooked it my 2014 mac mini. I had to use printer cable to book up my printer. My android tablet and smartphone can connect through Wi-Fi with no problem. I used 25 foot CAT 5s for Ethernet.

 

[Cory Cooper]

OK, thanks for the additional information.

-Who is your ISP?
-Brand/model of router?
-What type of Wi-Fi security - WEP, WPA/WPA2, etc?
-Do you have  > System Preferences... > Security & Privacy > Firewall enabled?
-Any antivirus or other third-party utilities running at login?
-Are date & time correct on your Mac?

Let us know and we'll go from there.

C

 

[musichascolors]

Still

Hello and welcome.

We apologize for the long delay in responding...we overlooked this by mistake.

Are you still having the issue?

C

No worries, still having the issue for the most part, though it now just takes a while (5-20 minutes) to connect. While connecting it displays the errors regarding password, etc.

 

[Cory Cooper]

Still


No worries, still having the issue for the most part, though it now just takes a while (5-20 minutes) to connect. While connecting it displays the errors regarding password, etc.

Hello again,

-What errors is it displaying regarding password?
-You could try deleting the entries in Keychain Access. Only delete the entries that have the name of your Wi-Fi network.

C

 

[miggie2099]

OK, thanks for the additional information.

-Who is your ISP?
-Brand/model of router?
-What type of Wi-Fi security - WEP, WPA/WPA2, etc?
-Do you have  > System Preferences... > Security & Privacy > Firewall enabled?
-Any antivirus or other third-party utilities running at login?
-Are date & time correct on your Mac?

Let us know and we'll go from there.

C

-Who is your ISP? Century link

-Brand/model of router? ,C1100T century link brand

What type of Wi-Fi security - WEP, WPA/WPA2, etc? WEP

Firewall enabled no

-Any antivirus or other third-party utilities running at login Yes sophos I tried it with sophos turned off and sophos turned on and it's still cannot get through

Are date & time correct on your Mac yes set by Mac

 

[Cory Cooper]

-Who is your ISP? Century link

-Brand/model of router? ,C1100T century link brand

What type of Wi-Fi security - WEP, WPA/WPA2, etc? WEP

Firewall enabled no

-Any antivirus or other third-party utilities running at login Yes sophos I tried it with sophos turned off and sophos turned on and it's still cannot get through

Are date & time correct on your Mac yes set by Mac

OK, thanks.

Sometimes WEP causes issues with Macs and Wi-Fi. WPA is much more compatible and newer, and has pretty much replaced WEP across most manufacturers because of its better encryption and security. The Wi-Fi Alliance officially retired WEP in 2004.

Does the mini work normally with the Ethernet cable? If so, can it just remain connected that way, or is the run too far to the modem?

C

 

[miggie2099]

Hello again,

-What errors is it displaying regarding password?
-You could try deleting the entries in Keychain Access. Only delete the entries that have the name of your Wi-Fi network.

C

I did delete the keychain it did not help. Attached is a picture of the error message

 

[miggie2099]

OK, thanks.

Sometimes WEP causes issues with Macs and Wi-Fi. WPA is much more compatible and newer, and has pretty much replaced WEP across most manufacturers because of its better encryption and security. The Wi-Fi Alliance officially retired WEP in 2004.

Does the mini work normally with the Ethernet cable? If so, can it just remain connected that way, or is the run too far to the modem?

C

I have a 12 foot cable and everything is good when it is connected to the modem

 

[Cory Cooper]

OK, thanks.

Maybe try deleting the entries for your network in System Preferences.. > Network > Wi-Fi and Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access.

C

 

[miggie2099]

OK, thanks.

Maybe try deleting the entries for your network in System Preferences.. > Network > Wi-Fi and Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access.

C

I did that as well it did not work

 

[miggie2099]

I did that as well it did not work

This is a copy of my chat with century link and what we did

Chat Transcript

Info: Thank you for contacting CenturyLink. A specialist will be with you in just a moment. Info: Thank you for contacting CenturyLink. You are speaking with the Virtual Agent. Info: the Virtual Agent: Hello, thanks for contacting CenturyLink! I’m your CenturyLink Virtual Agent and am here to answer your questions. How can I help you? Ramona: I cannot connect my Mac mini to my router the Virtual Agent: I understand you are chatting about problems with your service. Let's pull up your account details. Type in your account # or 10 digit phone # without spaces or dashes. Ramona: 471035202 the Virtual Agent: Great, thank you. Give me a moment while I pull up your account information. the Virtual Agent: I have your account. Give me a few moments while we check your connection to our network. the Virtual Agent: One moment while I continue the connectivity check. the Virtual Agent: Before I transfer you, let me check if there are any specialists online.. the Virtual Agent: We are happy to help you with your request. Please give me a moment to connect you with a specialist who can assist you further. Info: Thank you for your patience. A CenturyLink Consultant will be with you shortly. Info: To ensure compliance with Payment Card Industry guidelines, please do not share your credit card information, security code, or CVV/CVC in the body of this chat. If required, your credit card information will be requested through a separate, secure window. All technical support chats may be recorded for quality assurance and training purposes. Thank you for contacting CenturyLink. Info: Paulo: All technical support chats may be recorded for quality assurance and training purposes. You have reached CenturyLink Internet, Phone and PRISM Repair, my name is Paulo. I see that you're chatting about connecting your Mac mini, is that correct? Ramona: Yes Paulo: I’m sorry that you’re having trouble with that, I am happy to help you with that right away. Paulo: Ramona, are you still able to connect the other devices to your Internet? Ramona: I haven't used the computer for a week. I put in my wifi password last we now it says that it can't connect Ramona: Yes I am my table and phone work fine Paulo: Are you using the default WiFi password at the back of your modem? or did you customized it? Ramona: Default Paulo: I will try to change the settings on your modem, for security purposes, may I ask the last four digits of the SSN that is associated on the account? Ramona: 1322 Ramona: Let me give your the four setting I have Paulo: Okay, the WiFi name is CenturyLink5508 and the password is e66rzaih85ch7v is that the same password password that you're using to connect your Mac? Ramona: WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA2 PERSONAL, ANY Ramona: YES Paulo: Ramona, can you try to "Forget" your Network Name on your Mac and then reconnect using this password e66rzaih85ch7v Ramona: The error also states to move the computer closer Paulo: Is it okay if we try to change the WiFi password to see if your Mac will be able to connect? Ramona: I have done that since Sunday. I did it before I called you as well. I also tried all tour security settings as well still get does not connect. I restarted the router and reset it as well. Should I try sercurity setting none Ramona: How do I change the password Paulo: I will change it for you, can I have your preferred password? Ramona: rsatsh12 is this length ok? Paulo: Yes Ramona, you might disconnect to this chat after I change the password, if that happens just try to reconnect your devices using the new password. Paulo: I'm done changing the password, can you try to connect your Mac mini now? Ramona: Sure Paulo: All right Ramona: Still haven't connected yet. Ramona: It won't take me to the password page Paulo: Can you try to connect the other devices and see if it will work on other device? Ramona: Ok Paulo: Please let me know if it works on the other devices Ramona: Not working on the table with new password Paulo: Can you try it again using the same password rsatsh12 Ramona: Table is working computer is not says connection failed with new password Paulo: Is that the only device that cannot connect? Ramona: Yes Ramona: Yes Paulo: I'll try to create a secondary Network name on your modem Ramona: The computer ask for a password then will not connect. Let me restarted the computer Ramona: Second network name tendo dojo Paulo: Okay, I'm done creating the second network name, please try to connect your Mac Mini after Ramona: I have it restarting. With Mac restart always Paulo: Okay Ramona Ramona: I'm using the new password for tendo dojo right Paulo: Yes Ramona Ramona: It still says connection fail Ramona: Should I reset the modem Paulo: Yes please, if that still not work, we recommend you to contact the original manufacturer of your Mac Mini to further assist you with the settings since it is the only device that cannot connect to your internet, it is possible that the issue is with the Mac mini. Ramona: Give me one sec to reset it Paulo: Okay Ramona: It's taking longer to reset Paulo: Okay, are you able to reboot your modem now? Ramona: The internet light is blinking now Paulo: Are you done rebooting your modem? Ramona: Yes the internet light is blinking Paulo: Can you try to connect your Mac Mini now and see if it will work? Ramona: Still says it can't join Ramona: Doing it right now Ramona: Tried under both names Paulo: I see, it's possible that the issue is with your Mac Mini settings, please contact the original manufacturer of your device to further assist you with this matter. Ramona: Ok thanks for your help Paulo: You're welcome. In the mean time, is there anything else I can assist you with? Ramona: No that's it Paulo: For future reference, you can go to our website www.CTLhelp.com for self- help troubleshooting, Also, I want to make sure you know about the My Centurylink App. You can also download and access Centurylink APP from your smart phone. It provides account and service information. It's very easy to use to get to help you need, you can use the click chat option from your smart phone so you don't need to call for future concerns. Paulo: Thank you for choosing CenturyLink, we value your business. Just so you know, you can also now contact us with Repair questions by texting to 285669 (on your cell phone this corresponds to C-T-L-N-O-W). Standard text messaging rates may apply. Have a great night!