Wi-Fi: connected but can’t get online.

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guycruls Author

Level 1

28 points

Wi-Fi: connected but can’t get online.

My Macbook Air M1 states that my Wi-Fi is connect, however, all browsers state they can’t get online.

What’s going on?

Many thanks

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.4

Posted on Jun 21, 2023 10:27 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

73,920 points

Jun 21, 2023 10:56 AM in response to guycruls

If you are connected but your browser cannot reach any sites, it usually comes down to a problem with DNS.

Go to System Settings->Network, click the ">" sign next to the appropriate connection (usually Wifi, or Ethernet if you use a wired connection); click "Details..."; then click "DNS". What do you see?

One or two lines in grey (possibly something like 192.168.1.1 or similar) mean the DNS provided by your internet provider through your router. If there is something in black (or white if you use Dark Mode like me), it is something that was entered there (one common such address is 8.8.8.8, which is a dns server from google, but there are others).

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Answer 2

guycruls Author

Level 1

28 points

Jun 21, 2023 10:54 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Well, it's happened again.

I use Surfshark as a VPN and it can be quite a tricky customer.

I didn't think it was the cause of the issue, because I verified that it was not running in the background when trying to connect.

However, after I uninstalled it, I was back online in a flash.

I note that in the process of uninstalling it, I was told that it runs system extensions, and perhaps this is where the problem was, i.e. the app may interfere with the proper running of one or more mechanisms relating to internet connection - even when it is not active, it would seem.

Anyway, problem solved.

I find Surfshark quite good, but, again, while it will run for several months without an issue, I have to uninstall it from time to time. Also, Surfshark can be a pain with certain websites; for instance, I can't connect to Linkedin when it is on.

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Answer 3

guycruls Author

Level 1

28 points

Jun 21, 2023 10:55 AM in response to guycruls

I should have specified that I created the entry on my ipad, using my Wi-Fi, which confirms the Wi-Fi as working.

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Answer 4

Jun 22, 2023 2:53 AM in response to guycruls

I am glad that you found the cause.

Some food for thought: Public VPN are anything but private

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,702 points

Jun 22, 2023 6:02 AM in response to guycruls

I find Surfshark quite good,

They are all quite good at convincing you that running all of your surfing habits through their server makes you safer. Make-believe is a fun world to live inside.

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Wi-Fi: connected but can’t get online.

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