Mac Connected to Wi-Fi but No Internet

A Wi-Fi connection only confirms that your Mac has joined a wireless network. It does not prove that the router has working internet access or that DNS, routing and security software are behaving correctly. Use the checks below to identify which part is failing.

Find out whether the problem is the Mac or the network

First, try a website on another phone or computer using the same Wi-Fi network. If that device also fails, check the router, modem or internet service rather than changing your Mac's settings. Next, connect the Mac to another known-working network, such as a trusted phone hotspot. If the Mac works there, investigate the original network and its settings. If only one website fails, test a second unrelated website before treating this as a complete internet outage.

Check the IP address and router

Open System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi (or select the active Wi-Fi service) and inspect the connection details. On a typical IPv4 home network, the Mac should receive an IPv4 address and a router address through DHCP. An address in 169.254.0.0/16 indicates IPv4 link-local addressing, often because a usable DHCP lease was not obtained. This alone does not rule out IPv6 connectivity. If the router or assigned IP information is wrong, check the network's DHCP service and try renewing the lease.

Renew a DHCP lease

For a DHCP-configured network service, open System Settings > Network > [active service] > Details > TCP/IP and choose Renew DHCP Lease. This requests fresh DHCP information; it does not fix a disconnected router or a disabled service. The exact controls may vary with macOS release.

Separate DNS failures from wider connectivity failures

If the Mac reaches some services but domain names do not resolve, DNS settings may be responsible. Open the active network service's Details > DNS page and review the configured servers and search domains. A corporate VPN, security product or device-management policy may deliberately install those settings. Do not replace managed DNS settings with a public resolver as a blanket fix. If you cannot reach any internet service, look at the connection, router and routing before blaming DNS.

Check VPN and security software

VPN clients, filtering software and security applications can change DNS resolution, routing and access policies. If the problem appears only when a VPN is connected, continue with the Mac VPN and DNS guide. On a managed Mac, contact your administrator before disabling a required filter or altering a VPN profile.

Use built-in diagnostics

Apple's Wireless Diagnostics can analyze the wireless connection without changing its settings. On supported macOS versions, hold Option while opening the Wi-Fi menu and select Open Wireless Diagnostics. Review its findings along with any Wi-Fi Recommendations shown by macOS. If several devices fail on the same access point, investigate router firmware, security mode and upstream connectivity.

What the results suggest

Avoid these premature fixes

Do not delete system configuration files, disable the firewall or turn off IPv6 simply because Wi-Fi shows 'connected.' A targeted diagnosis is safer and makes the eventual fix more reliable. If the Mac is used for work or school, check management policies before changing network settings.