The latest updates to macOS Monterey and Ventura bring Wi-Fi problems to some Macbook models running on Apple M1 and M2 processors. After installing new versions of operating systems, users may encounter an inability to connect to some networks or a serious slowdown in Internet speed. Given the fact that a modern computer and laptop cannot be imagined without access to the global network, this problem is quite serious.
WiFi not working on MacBook
A problem with connecting to Wi-Fi on Macbooks was discovered by UCLA IT Services. The first entry in their Service Status Dashboard was on September 27, when macOS Ventura was in beta and macOS Monterey was installed on most MacBooks. Therefore, this glitch affects two operating systems at once. Most often, the symptoms look like this:
That is, if you find that your computer has disconnected from Wi-Fi and clicking the connection icon again does not lead to any result, then you are faced with this problem. The Meter blog , which is one of the largest suppliers and operators of Wi-Fi equipment in the United States, has a solution to this problem, which, as follows from the blog materials, is recommended by Apple itself.
The Wi-Fi disconnect on a MacBook is related to the operation of the Apple Wireless Direct Link interface. Or, as it is also known, AWDL. He is responsible for the operation of the AirDrop and AirPlay functions. Therefore, these features should be disabled at the system level when this issue occurs. But the first thing that is recommended to be done is to carry out the following manipulations:
- Click on an empty space on your desktop.
- In the status bar, click on “Transition” and select AirDrop.
- Or just press the keyboard shortcut Shift + cmd + R.
- Switch the visibility mode to “Reception Off”.
- Open system settings.
- Go to the Bluetooth section and turn it off.
After these steps, you need to check the Wi-Fi performance and connection speed. Some users have been helped by these basic tips. Unfortunately, not all.
Mac Terminal Commands
But there is a more thorough way to turn off AWDL on macOS . To do this, you will need to use the Terminal. Before starting it, I draw your attention to the fact that you need to be extremely careful with the commands you enter, otherwise you can turn off not quite what you need:
- Launch the Terminal application.
- Type the command and press Enter:
sudo ifconfig awdl0 down- To enable AWDL, type the following command in the Terminal and press Enter:
sudo ifconfig awdl0 up
Since the Macbook will regularly ask you for permission to enable AWDL , you should disable this notification. You can do this with the following script:
- Open the Terminal app.
- Enter the following command:
bash <(curl -sL https://www.meter.com/awdl.sh) - Press “Y” to confirm the operation and Enter.
- After that, you will need to enter the password for the account, and the script will constantly remove the unnecessary notification in the background.
This solution has been tested on a large number of users and gives a positive result. Therefore, if you are faced with a similar problem, you can safely use the commands presented.
How to update MacOS
But there is another way to solve the problem of falling off Wi-Fi on a MacBook. To do this, it simply needs to be updated to macOS 13.1 . We do not recommend using betas on mainstream devices, so we waited for the release of the regular version and suggest you upgrade to it. Before any updates, be sure to create a backup so as not to lose important data, or simply transfer valuable files somewhere. You can install macOS 13.1 as follows:
- Open the system settings and go to the “Software Update” section.
- Or click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner and select “Software Update”.
- Click Update Now to install the new version of macOS Ventura.
According to reports from both UCLA IT Services and Meter, it was in this version that Apple solved the problem described above.
Therefore, the probability of encountering a Wi-Fi disconnection on a MacBook is again minimal. The main thing is that, having solved one problem, Apple does not create new ones. Although it is hard to believe this.
If all the methods proposed above did not help you, then you should contact the service center . There is a chance that you have some kind of problem with the WiFi module . Unfortunately, official services are now repairing Apple equipment very slowly due to unstable supply of components. What’s more, they are often overpriced.
In such a situation, it is better to contact the time-tested Apple Pro service center . There they will diagnose you, determine exactly what the lack of connection to the network is connected with, and offer a solution to the problem that will suit everyone. And most importantly – you can be sure of the quality of the work performed. After all, even official service centers often mess up when carrying out repairs .
