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iMac WiFi not working after upgrade to MacOS Monterey

Hello, I'm experiencing exactly the same problem as described here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253319036?=undefined&previousThread=253694107021&sortBy=best

and here: Wifi problems after Monterey OS upgrade. - Apple Community. After the upgrade to MacOS Monterey, WiFi on my iMac stopped working: the icon is grey with a line across it, and it's impossible to turn WiFi on from the system preferences. The problems began after I upgraded to the next version of Monterey around August - September 2023 with random disconnects and system preferences window hangs just like in the above threads. I have a late 2015 iMac model number 17, 1 currently running MacOs Monterey 12.7.2. No other devices on my WiFi network are having any problems. This includes 3 iPhones, 2 iPads and a MacBook Pro. I have tried everything to resolve the issue: restart the router, delete and reconnect to the wifi, call Apple support, visit an Apple store, reinstall the operating system, even wiped out the hard drive with zeros and installed the MacOs again, but the problem still persisted. Apple diagnostics both online and in-store didn't find any hardware issues. I know you might still say that the WiFi card is faulty, as suggested in the above mentioned threads, but it is not, and here is why. After I erased the hard drive in recovery mode, I installed the original MacOS that came with this Mac - El Capitan. WiFi was working fine again after I did this! Immediate connection to the same network, no drop outs, no symptoms whatsoever. However, after I upgraded to Monterey, WiFi was disabled again with a line across it. So, I'm 99.99% sure the problem is somewhere in the MacOS Monterey, or more specifically, in the versions after 12.6.7. I suppose so, because my partner has an exact same iMac 17,1 running version 12.6.7, and she has no problems with her wifi. As I said above, I began to notice the symptoms in August - September 2023, which was around the time versions 12.6.8, 12.6.9 and 12.7. came out. I am asking Apple Support to please take a serious look at this issue, as most likely it requires a software fix. I feel really sorry for the user who had to pay $500+ for replacing the WiFi card which probably wasn't faulty at all. With its supposedly high standards of customer satisfaction, I believe Apple should take care of this issue ASAP, in order to be fair to all the users, including those who have been loyal to the brand for many years.


iMac 27″

Posted on Jan 21, 2024 3:25 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 22, 2024 3:06 AM

Let me say up front, I am not a Hardware Expert


iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)


I believe this computer has a Builtin Bluetooth Module which is somehow, on the same Module as the Builtin Wifi chip


Though, the report is showing the Bluetooth is connected via a USB connection and thusly the Wifi


Do I have this correct that the computer is using a Wifi connection via a USB Connection Adapter ?


Should above assessment be incorrect, I am sorry about this truly


Perhaps a look in System Information located in Finder >> Go >> Utilities


Then, check both the Bluetooth category in Sidebar as well as the Wifi category


Do both hardwares appear in System Information


USB:


  USB30Bus


    Broadcom Corp. - Bluetooth USB Host Controller


    Apple Inc. - FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)




   


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Jan 22, 2024 3:06 AM in response to Mxr1L

Let me say up front, I am not a Hardware Expert


iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)


I believe this computer has a Builtin Bluetooth Module which is somehow, on the same Module as the Builtin Wifi chip


Though, the report is showing the Bluetooth is connected via a USB connection and thusly the Wifi


Do I have this correct that the computer is using a Wifi connection via a USB Connection Adapter ?


Should above assessment be incorrect, I am sorry about this truly


Perhaps a look in System Information located in Finder >> Go >> Utilities


Then, check both the Bluetooth category in Sidebar as well as the Wifi category


Do both hardwares appear in System Information


USB:


  USB30Bus


    Broadcom Corp. - Bluetooth USB Host Controller


    Apple Inc. - FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)




   


Reply

Jan 27, 2024 4:15 PM in response to Mxr1L

I'm having the same problem I have one damage A1502 2015 Mac Pro and one fully working and just bought third from eBay and all three are doing the same this is a bug that apple put there to fore people to update to new Mac books because this has been there for a year now, The only way I found to help the problem on bigsur was to connect to 5ghz then switch between the two I'm on here now but on 5ghz if it plays up switch to 2.4ghz but it is about time apple sorted this out as I have two MacBooks that have 1tb hdd i7 process and 16gb of rams so very capable Macs and I don't want to get rid of them sort it out apple please

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Jan 21, 2024 8:19 AM in response to Mxr1L

If you believe the issue is specific to Monterey of any version including the current 12.7.3.


To avoid the question / answer and question answer scenario


Suggest the User starts with the Top Suggestion and test. 


Thereafter,  move down to the next and test again. 


Keep on going in the Order that they have been presented or until you reach the Final Suggestion 


Restart 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.


Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


Does the issue present in this mode ?


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


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.


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


Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.


The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet "  and is  only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<


Using EtreCheck

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Jan 22, 2024 4:50 AM in response to Mxr1L

Sorry for sending you down the wrong " rabbit hole "


In this instances suggest


Reset the SMC of your Mac and perform this action 3 x consecutively


While you are at it


Reset NVRAM on your Mac. and perform this action 3 x consecutively


Should neither of the 2 above not resolve this issue


Have the computer evaluated by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions


Make an Appointment at the Apple Genius Bar


Call 1 800 MyApple and have them evaluate the computer


All Other Areas


 Contact Apple for support and service





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Jan 22, 2024 2:59 PM in response to PRP_53

Hi, I've reset the SMC and NVRAM 3 times consecutively as you suggested, but it didn't help. As for the Professionals' help - I've been down that path, and it wasn't helpful at all. I took my iMac to the Genius Bar, and they ran the tests, but couldn't find any hardware issues. Still, their verdict was: "Your WiFi card is faulty, get a replacement or a USB dongle." I'm not going to do that now that I know that my WiFi card isn't faulty. It worked fine after the clean reinstall of El Capitan, as you may remember. Any other ideas/suggestions?

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Jan 29, 2024 11:03 AM in response to BDAqua

Hi BDAqua,


I deleted /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.installer.cleanupinstaller.plist, restarted, then reinstalled Monterey 12.7.3, but it didn't help. The WiFi icon still has a line across it, and it's impossible to turn it on.

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Mar 29, 2024 10:14 AM in response to Mxr1L

Hey! Did you try or find a wifi dongle that worked? My mom is having this issue with her MacBook (2016), since the 12.7.4 update, the wifi card died a few years ago so she had a dongle, but it stopped working with the latest update and I’m not finding anything that seems to be compatible with this software… trying to get her the least expensive/time consuming solution. Thanks! A

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iMac WiFi not working after upgrade to MacOS Monterey

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