You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Wifi won't turn on after upgrade to Catalina

I upgraded my Early 2015 Macbook Pro to Catalina and I can't turn on wifi. I opened Network settings and there was a button <do not loc> for a few seconds and then it changed to "Turn wifi on". I clicked on it and nothing happened. I tried restarting Mac and SMC and NVPRAM/PRAM resets but it didn't help. I also can't run Wireless diagnostics -- I click on the app and a window pops up for a second and then disappears. In the Network app, the Wifi interface isn't listed in the interface options for a new service ("+" button). Could anyone please help me with this problem?

P.S. I don't have a direct connection to the Internet (only through Wifi).

Mac Pro

Posted on Oct 17, 2019 6:39 AM

Reply

Similar questions

8 replies

Oct 22, 2019 10:26 AM in response to zsefa

Almost exactly the same here, early MBP 13“. After a couple of days of Catalina, on one day it had difficulties connecting, the day after nothing worked.

„do Not loc“ only for a few seconds, after that it shows only „activate WiFi“, but it isn’t possible, it’s greyd.

No chance to even start WiFi diagnostics.

with my usb/Ethernet dongle I was able to install the latest 10.15 Update - still no wifi. pram reset etc.

next step: Apple Store

Oct 25, 2019 10:29 AM in response to bdeschne

The Apple phone Support nailed it down to a hardware problem. Shut down, press d and turn on, then a diagnosis Programm runs your system. they sent me to a Shop. They told me the installing of a new airport module will cost me 160€.

great. Update and 160€. didnt do it. My hope is that’s a driver issue. Til then I will buy a 10€ usb wifi stick



Oct 27, 2019 10:52 AM in response to bdeschne

I didn’t get the usb WiFi yet. Meanwhile I bootet from a high Sierra disk, thought I can at least email work businesses, but on High Sierra the WiFi Hardware is completely gone.

So, after updating to Catalina it seems that something messed with the airport module.

Also, in sleep mode the MBP seems to crash, and starts only new. Furthermore it seems to use more battery life than usual.

thank you for the tip with the iPhone! I’ll try that, for at least doing email correspondence on my travels.

what a nightmare.

Nov 3, 2019 11:16 AM in response to zsefa

How were you able to do that? I have an airport I back mine up on, but obviously I can’t restore it because I can’t get WiFi.


I’ve tried nearly everything- several different cords, WiFi through the iPhone, WiFi usb attachment- nothing works. If I could just pick up my home WiFi signal I could do it. Did you just restore it to factory settings?


This has been a total disaster. It is unbelievable apple didn’t even test run the update on systems not even that old. Complete waste of time and currently has irreversibly messed up my MacBook. What a joke.

Wifi won't turn on after upgrade to Catalina

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.