I have to keep deleting System Configuration Settings to use the Internet

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Level 1

9 points

I have to keep deleting System Configuration Settings to use the Internet

Mac OS Catalina 10.15.5, MacBook Air bought June 2019. For the last six months or so, I find that, without warning, I can't access the Internet. One day it works, the next I can't load webpages, or do anything that requires an internet connection. My laptop shows that it's connected to my wi-fi, and the Internet works perfectly on my phone. I have contacted my ISP, and my connection is fine. The only solution I have found (and it's temporary) is to go into Go>Computer>Macintosh HD>Library>Preferences>System Configuration and delete the files com.apple.airport.preferences.plist, NetworkInterfaces.plist, and Preferences.plist. I also end up with a PreferencesOld.plist sometimes which I delete too. After a restart, I get my internet connection back, as I'm assuming these preferences get reset and work again. Sometimes this lasts a week, sometimes only overnight. Does anyone know a permanent solution to this problem? It's driving me crazy!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 5, 2020 7:28 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 26, 2020 7:11 PM in response to Gem537

Yes. The VPN softwares modify these network settings when you switch them to ON. But, few bad VPN softwares don't revert back their settings after you switch them OFF. If possible try an alternate VPN software like ProtonVPN

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Answer 2

Aug 10, 2020 7:20 AM in response to Gem537

hello,

You may want to save this chat somewhere as you will not able to read this when you are facing the internet connection issue

;)

Do you happen to use VPN / Citrix or some software to connect to your Wi-Fi ? is there any custom firewall or anti-virus app ?

Anyways, here are some checkpoints:

Click on the Wi-Fi Network icon on the top bar and select "Open Network Preferences..."

When you are connected to internet with your WiFi, click on the Location: drop-down > Edit locations > + > Give a new name, say, "home". Come back to the above screen and select the newly created Location "home".

Now, click on Advanced...

In the dialog box that opens,

On Wi-Fi tab,

remove the unused Wi-Fi networks by clicking on (-).

Select the checkbox --> Remember networks this computer has joined. This will ensure that your computer will use the same settings that it used to join the Wi-Fi earlier.

On TCP/IP tab,

most of the Wi-Fi networks assign the IP address to your computer.

Configure IPv4: Using DCHP

Configure IPv6: Automatically

On DNS tab,

add some public DNS servers by clicking on (+) like

1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

Here, you may need to add the gateway IP something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.225.1 (check with your ISP or appropriate forums of your ISP provider).

On Proxies tab

If you are using a proxy, configure it here.

Run the commands below, when you are connected to the internet and save the output so that you can compare them to when you are not able to connect to internet:

Troubleshooting guide when you are facing internet connection issue:

Make sure you have selected "home" location as shown above.
Open Terminal app and run following command:

scutil -h

there are many useful commands here like scutil --dns that will give you the list of DNS servers that are configured.

nslookup google.com

nslookup fast.com

traceroute google.com

traceroute fast.com

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Answer 3

Brian_P7

Community Specialist

Aug 9, 2020 10:04 AM in response to Gem537

Hey there Gem537,

We see that you are having some internet connectivity issues with your MacBook Air. We would love to assist you with this issue.

Here is a resource that may help with troubleshooting the connection: Troubleshoot connecting your Mac to the internet

Also, here is another resource that troubleshoots your internet not connecting on your Mac: If your Mac doesn't connect to the Internet over Wi-Fi

Take care!

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Answer 4

Gem537 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 9, 2020 5:26 PM in response to Brian_P7

Hi, this isn't a basic connectivity issue. There is nothing wrong with my Internet connection, as I have already troubleshooted that side of it. Like I said, my phone connects and works perfectly, and my ISP has confirmed that my Internet is fine. My laptop connects to my wi-fi, and when it works it's fine as well. There's no issue. But at least once a week or so I'll try to load something, and it just won't work, even though I am connected to my wi-fi point. I've narrowed it down to corrupt plist files, as deleting the current files and restarting my laptop is the only way I can get the connection to work again. I don't know what's causing this issue though, which is what I'm trying to find out. This isn't something that would come up in a simple troubleshooting guide, I'm sorry.

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Answer 5

Gem537 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 13, 2020 7:03 PM in response to sandugandhi

Hi. I tried doing what you said, and I don't know if I did something wrong, or if it just didn't work, but I lost the internet completely and had to do my usual trick of deleting the plist files and restarting. I added a new location, deleted the wi-fi network, checked the tcp settings, all looked good. But then it jumped the location back to automatic and I couldn't see my new location in the drop down, and I had no internet at all. I know a little bit of tech stuff, but I'm not exactly confidant of what I'm doing, so I don't want to screw around with too many settings and what not, especially when it comes to command line stuff. I'm afraid I'm gonna break it completely.

I am running a vpn on my laptop, and it very rarely gets shut down. I just close the lid and put it to sleep, so I'm not sure if that's affecting anything?

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I have to keep deleting System Configuration Settings to use the Internet

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