hammerski

Q: MacBook pro won't reconnect to the internet after restarting time capsule

I have a MacBook Pro 2011, running El Capitan, but this has been a problem for several OS versions and was a problem with my previous MacBook Pro. If I restart my Time Capsule, my laptop does not reconnect automatically. I have to manually connect it by using the WiFi icon in the menu bar. This actually happens with my wife's iMac, also running El C. There does not appear to be any setting in the Network Preferences that might influence this. Other devices reconnect w/o issue, iPhones, iPad, etc. Is this normal behavior, or is there something I can do to fix this?

Thanks

Time Capsule, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Sep 24, 2016 11:43 AM

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Q: MacBook pro won't reconnect to the internet after restarting time capsule

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Sep 24, 2016 12:17 PM in response to hammerski
    Level 9 (54,798 points)
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    Sep 24, 2016 12:17 PM in response to hammerski

    Try the following on your Mac in order, until (hopefully) resolved:

     

    1. Create a New User Account
      • System Preferences > Accounts
      • Click "+" to add a new account.
      • Log off, and then, log back on with the new user account.
      • Try connecting to a Wi-Fi network with your Mac's AirPort.
      • If this resolves the problem, there may be something amiss with your current profile and will require further troubleshooting.
      • If this does not resolve the problem, go ahead and log back into your normal account and go on to the next step.
    2. Delete AirPort Keychain Entries
      • Launch the "Keychain Access" application located in Applications/Utilities.
      • In the windows on the left side: Select login for Keychains and "Passwords" for Category.
      • Click on the "Kind" filter at the top, and look for any "AirPort network password" entries...and delete them.
      • Close Keychain Access.
    3. Delete Preferred Network(s)
      • System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
      • Delete all entries under "Preferred Networks."
      • Click on OK.
    4. Add Preferred Network(s)
      • System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
      • Add the preferred network(s) using the "+" button.
      • Click on OK.
      • Restart or log out, and then, back in.
        • If it works, then you are done.
        • If not, go on to the next step.
    5. Move System Configuration Files
      • Quit any applications that are currently using Wi-Fi.
      • Turn off Wi-Fi from the Wi-Fi icon on the OS X menu bar.
      • Open Finder > Go > Go To Folder > Enter "/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/" into the Go to the folder window.
      • Locate and select the following files:
        Note: Files are OS X version specific, not all the following files are used in each version.
        • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
        • com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist
        • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
        • NetworkInterfaces.plist
        • preferences.plist
      • Move any matching files to the OS X Desktop. You can place them all in a folder as a backup. The "missing" files will be rebuilt after restarting the Mac.
      • Reboot the Mac.
      • Re-enable Wi-Fi from the Wi-Fi icon on the OS X menu bar.