Catalina 10.15.7 keeps forgetting WPA2 password.

Trouble is I think it's more than one .plist, I'd...

Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...

System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.

System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.

The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.

Sys Prefs>Network>highlight the Interface you're using>Advanced>TCP/IP>Configure IPv4: Using DHCP.

If using Wifi, instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.

System Preferences>Network>choose interface>Advanced>Proxies Tab, make sure none are set, like for HTTP & HTTPS.

System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

1.1.1.1

9.9.9.9

Apply.

dialabrain wrote:

My first question, I'm excited. :)

I have a Late 2012 iMac which keeps forgetting the WPA2 password when shut down. Anyone know what the .plist may be to reset or which side of the iMac I have to hit to get it to remember? lol

If not the Locations…

Are you possibly using iCloud Keychain? If so, temporarily disable that, opt to keep copies of passwords local, wait a few minutes for iCloud to catch up with the settings change, restart the Mac, re-enable iCloud Keychain, and merge passwords.

I’ve had a couple of cases of creeping iCloud crud over the years—problems likely due to transient network glitches—that were finally resolved by using that sequence on all devices using the Apple ID and associated iCloud storage, and all disabled and re-enabled at the same time.

I’ve also met various Wi-Fi routers with their own share of issues. Check for available firmware updates on those, and apply the latest.

But if System Preferences is locking up, then the macOS software install is possibly corrupt, or the hardware is possibly failing.

dialabrain wrote:

Thanks for the suggestion. It just seems odd. I have 6 Macs, 4 iPads and 2 iPhones that connect by Wi-Fi and it's only the one that has amnesia.

The local iCloud Keychain cache could be corrupted.

The other spot the Wi-Fi credentials area stored is in NVRAM. Maybe your NVRAM is corrupt (reset that), or maybe your backup battery is discharged? Haven’t seen that happen with a Mac (not Macs that old right now), but have met plenty of depleted or leaking batteries on other computer mainboards over the years.)

dialabrain wrote:

I reset NVRAM. We'll see if it fixes it. Oddly enough it caused my Magic Mouse to lose its connection and I had to use a USB mouse to reconnect it. 😎

Connected Bluetooth info is stored in NVRAM, too.

If your keyboard is still connected: Control the pointer using Mouse Keys on Mac - Apple Support

OK, any more info on that error?

Aha!