MacBook Pro can only connect to 1 of 4 WiFi connections at home

Hi nichtks,

Thank you for the screenshots. It sounds like your router is configured to use a less secure password setting than is required by Mac. You may need to consult the manufacturer of the router or the paperwork that was included to determine how to make the needed adjustments.

To learn more about the required settings, check out Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support. The following sections may be particularly helpful.

Security

 Set to WPA3 Personal for better security

      Set to WPA2/WPA3 Transitional for compatibility with older devices

The security setting defines the type of authentication and encryption used by your router, and the level of privacy protection for data transmitted over its network. Whichever setting you choose, always set a strong password for joining the network.

• WPA3 Personal is the newest, most secure protocol currently available for Wi-Fi devices. It works with all devices that support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and some older devices. 

• WPA2/WPA3 Transitional is a mixed mode that uses WPA3 Personal with devices that support that protocol, while allowing older devices to use WPA2 Personal (AES) instead.

• WPA2 Personal (AES) is appropriate when you can't use one of the more secure modes. In that case, also choose AES as the encryption or cipher type, if available.

Weak security settings to avoid on your router

Don't create or join networks that use older, deprecated security protocols. These are no longer secure, they reduce network reliability and performance, and they cause your device to show a security warning:

• WPA/WPA2 mixed modes

• WPA Personal

• WEP, including WEP Open, WEP Shared, WEP Transitional Security Network, or Dynamic WEP (WEP with 802.1X)

• TKIP, including any security setting with TKIP in the name

Settings that turn off security, such as None, Open, or Unsecured, are also strongly discouraged. Turning off security disables authentication and encryption and allows anyone to join your network, access its shared resources (including printers, computers, and smart devices), use your internet connection, and monitor the websites you visit and other data transmitted over your network or internet connection. This is a risk even if security is turned off temporarily or for a guest network.

All the best.

Hi there nichtks,

If you haven't already, you could see if restarting both your MacBook Pro and your router/modem may help restore connected to the other three Wi-Fi networks having this issue. We do see that you mentioned not doing that step yet because others were on the internet, but that step may help resolve this issue.

The custom DNS message you are seeing is stating that the custom DNS that was set for any of those networks aren't working properly and taking those out may allow your MacBook Pro to automatically set that instead, which may help.

Also, this article has great steps that may also help you resolve this: If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi

Please let us know if any of those steps help.

Take care.

Are you able to connect to the laptop to wifi elsewhere, such as at a coffee shop or your workplace?

~Lyssa