Safari and Chrome can’t connect to the server after Catalina update

I’m having this issue too. It always occurs after I do an update for OS X. Once the computer restarts, BAM. No more internet. Oh sure I can access the WiFi network, but that’s it. I’ve been on the phone with senior techs about this for probably 11+ hours within the past 4 months. Eventually what did it was I would restart the computer into Safe Mode, verify that now, yes, the internet is working, then restart again into a normal operating mode. Problem is, this doesn’t even work anymore. This is after the most recent OS X update on February 5th or 6th, 2020.

FYI one other option that worked was I restored from a Time Machine backup to a point in the OS before the update. This is NOT a solution however if you ask me, and that’s a pain in the butt process to begin with.

Keep in mind if I go into Recovery Mode, (hold CMD-R when you first see the Apple logo), I can access the internet by going to the “Get help online” option and just typing in Google or whatever. So something is working. I have gone through all the aforementioned steps to no avail in this thread.

I’ll update if I find another solution. Computer restart counter just for the fun of it: 7 restarts so far today.

Mac Address is showing null after updated Catlina ? Please advise

All you have to do is update Catalina and problem is solved. It was a known issue apple put in their upgrade but wont really admit they did anything wrong.

Hello, please see my post here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250713004

Please try to reboot your MacBook into Safe Mode (holding the shift key on boot). If the Captive Portal appears it is likely a 3rd party application that is interfering with the Network Stack.

When you reload you PC back into Normal Mode you should be connected, however that doesn't necessarily mean it is fixed. This is because you have just gone through the captive portal process i.e. Accept T&Cs in Safe Mode for that day. Then after a certain period the Captive Portal may expire your session. you will need to complete the Captive Portal process again and hence it will no longer work.

So the real fix is check for applications installed that could interfere with the Network Stack such as a VPN client i.e. Cisco VPN Client or even possibly an Anti-Virus Scanner.

This worked (to an extent for me), I now have a connection, but it's very slow. It took me nearly 10 mins to sign in to tell you this lol. Also tried streaming music via Amazon HD and it's managed 10 seconds of play so far.

Wonderful! Some antivirus software is the problem. And more to the point SOMETHING is interfering with the internet connection / network stack. But how in the world do we find out what that is? In my case, as far as I know, I am not running an AntiVirus program. Being only semi-technical, I am not sure where else to look -- I've gone through my Applications to see if there is anything obvious and deleted some more that I don't use. But I don't think any of them were specifically sitting on my network.

Does it work for macbook air 2019? I have the same problem. But mine disconnects if I don't navigate. I work on other things like word for example and then when opening the browser it does the same thing again, I have to connect again

this Only happens on networks with no initial security like a hotel network, anywhere else it is Ok ie when you have to enter a User ID or password . Even before I try to get on to the Internet Settings recognizes that there is no path to the Internet . As soon as I Boot the MacBook I see this

After I updated to Catalina, I could connect wifi even tho it did not work, shows connected but Safari won’t work, says “can’t connect to the Server”. But more i got a window NEIKEv2 Provider asking to sign using a key “privateKey” that I don’t have nor have any idea how this got in here. Please can someone help, thanks

I agree. I fortunately didn’t have much I really wanted in terms of data. I understand that most people do. I just couldn’t wait for Apple to get it resolved, it’s been quite some time already. Have resolved to use google docs. Good luck all.

Uh, no I'm not in the wrong thread. I had the same exact issue that OP described. Just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it won't work for other people. Someone else already said it worked for them.

Maybe YOU have a different issue and YOU'RE in the wrong thread.

Thank you! This solved my problem. When in safe-mode, I have to open Safari and connect into the public WiFi, Chrome [Version 78.0.3904.87 (Official Build) (64-bit)] would not work. But once in normal mode, WiFi was still connected and could resume using Chrome.

I have the same issue. The only thing that has worked so far is booting in safe mode. But when I restart the issue returns.

I have created a new wifi location. I have deleted all the old system configuration plists, I have renewed the lease, I have configured the MAC address manually, I have changed the DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. I have done everything and it is still not working. So frustrating.

Yes, still have this issue often. I'm trying to wrap my head around a 3k mac that cant connect to wifi. When is apple gonna fix this issue? At the bare min the OS should connect to the net. I dont get it. Makes me wanna return my mac.

I would hope that they have some engineer working on the issue. It’s actually kind of sad that they have someone who’s already identified the issue with a launch daemon and it still hasn’t been addressed.