Internet only connects in Safe Mode following Monterey update

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Level 1

4 points

Internet only connects in Safe Mode following Monterey update

I literally hate OS updates. There hasn't been one in the last few years that hasn't caused me at least one time-consuming problem. Heck, I skipped Big Sur completely for this very reason. .

What makes it even more annoying is that, increasingly, Apple have decided to go down that well-worn path pioneered by Microsoft, in that Joe and Josephine Public can involuntarily do their system testing for them and, while they're at it, sort out most of the issues arising too - hence the reason I'm on here.

Last week, I decided to bite the bullet and did the Monterey update. I did expect it to tell me that several apps were no longer compatible. What I did not expect was for me to lose my internet connection.

After establishing that it was nothing to do with my router, nor my wifi, I tried every solution I could find (using my iPad on the same network) but no no avail.

Then, suddenly, it started working again. I had not changed anything in the 20 minutes or so prior to this joyous event (and no, it wasn't the service provider's fault), it just suddenly kicked into gear.

It ran okay for almost a week, until I got up this morning to the message, "This computer was closed down due to a problem" or words to that effect. "A problem"? well, at least it wasn't closed down for no reason. It's pretty alarming that a computer can crash when it's not even being used - or am I being naive?

Went through all the previous solutions to no avail. I even waited a half hour to see if it would mysteriously want to play ball again - but, sadly, no.

I removed all obsolete apps from iMac too, but it still refused to budge. As a last resort (next time [hoping there isn't one!], it shall be my first), I re-booted in Safe Mode. Bingo! connection to the world outside again . . . albeit running as slow as a big old slow thing.

Reconnection, either by ethernet or wi-fi, is impossible in Normal Mode.

So, the question to you good troubleshooters out there is this - how do I tell what it is in my normal start-up that is causing this problem?

TIA

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 12.3

Posted on May 8, 2022 7:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

DiZoE

Level 4

3,073 points

May 8, 2022 8:32 PM in response to geordienz

Hey there! Sorry for the ordeal, not much productivity you can do on a computer nowadays without internet access.

Well first, and the two easiest solutions if it works in Safe Mode, (If you haven’t done already), is run a full disk repair from recovery:

How to repair a Mac disk with Disk Utility - Apple Support

Likewise, would be to remove any Login Items from System Preferences > Users and Groups > Restart.

Otherwise, no doubt there is non-Apple software interfering with the connection.

My first hunch on that, is using a VPN, I’ve seen these cause this for sure.

It you have one in System Preferences > Network, I’d click on the VPN interface, click the “-“ below to remove, click Apply, restart and test.

If no VPN, in those same network settings, click Advanced > Proxies, if anything other than the very bottom one is enabled, disable, click Okay > Apply and restart.

I know you mentioned deleting obsolete apps, however without completely uninstalling them, they could still be doing damage.

First place I check is:

Apple > About This Mac > System Report > Extensions.

Click on “Obtained From” on the top to sort, scroll to the bottom, and to the right you’ll see all the non-Apple kexts/Extensions, especially if they say “Unsigned” or “Unkown” you’ll want to delete them and restart, you can get the location by clicking on each and looking below.

Most would be in:

/Library/Extensions.

Also in the /Library, I may check:

Internet Plugins

Launch Agents

Launch Daemons

Startup Items

If any files from third party software installed in the past or were migrated over, (Especially security or networking software, or even apps/developers you don’t even recognize), I’d move them from those locations as a backup, delete them from those folders, restart and test.

Hope something here helps!

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

106,897 points

May 9, 2022 12:45 AM in response to geordienz

1 - Suggest restarting in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.

2 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.

3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?

4 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.

5 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.

6 - If after performing each of the above steps is the order that have been presents and still have issues - please advise for possible further assistance.

7- Suggest downloading the Application Etrecheck directly from a well Respected ASC Contributor. And Safe to use.

The application is free or paid from added features.

Run the application with Full Disc Access ( Security & Privacy - Full Disc Access ).

It will take a Snap Shot - both the hardware and software.

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.

We can have a look at the report for possible issues and may have possible suggestions to resolve the issues.

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, alter, modify, remove or delete or attempt to do so is an invitation for disaster and may require a Reinstallation of the OS.

This is in-order to replace any modified, altered, removed or corrupted elements of the OS this software has inflicted on this computer

This will include CleanMyMac , This will include BitDefender ,

This will included Norton Antivirus , Sophos Av Software

Intego AntiVirus, McAfee, MacKeeper, Avast AntiVirus

Ad Guard, Webroot

The The Built in Security is all that is required.

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Answer 3

geordienz Author

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2022 1:27 PM in response to DiZoE

Wow! Thanks so much for such a detailed and informative response.

The Repair didn't find anything untoward.

Apps I had said I'd deleted, I actually meant uninstalled - using CleanMyMac to do this.

I did actually have an aborted attempted to add a VPN some weeks ago. I aborted as it was getting a bit messy and I found another solution. Everything there was uninstalled and I had no subsequent issues . . . . until Monterey.

Then, lo and behold, following a normal reboot and chasing down the extensions, I noticed a txt message coming in!

So, the same thing has happened again - connection without me actually doing anything!

Obviously, I cannot let things rest there as I know this will raise its ugly head again.

At least I'm now armed with some great info to help with a "permanent" solution, so thank you again.

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