How can I keep WiFi from enabling itself on my MacBook Pro?

Question

How can I keep WiFi from enabling itself on my MacBook Pro?

WiFi keeps turning itself on despite me turning it off. I get bad nerve inflammation from WiFi and I don't notice the WiFi is on until my hands begin hurting. Then, it's too late and it's triggered my erosive arthritis to flare up and damage my fingers.

I always have my MacBook Pro hard wired. But when I move from location to location I catch the WiFi being enabled, but not connected to a network.

What gives?

Bad enough this laptop wastes energy turning itself on with the slightest touch. Can't keep that disabled either.

Posted on Feb 25, 2024 8:52 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 28, 2024 8:34 AM in response to Ryan Burkholder

Happened again this morning. Turned MacBook Pro off last night, as always. When I turned it back on, WiFi was enabled and not connected to a network. Even when I switch it off, it shows as being enabled. I have to switch it off, on and then back off for the interface to show as disabled.

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Answer 2

Feb 27, 2024 7:42 AM in response to HWTech

Thanks, that is an option but I still need to use the interface on occasion. I just need it to stay off when I've switched it off. Basically, this computer needs to do what I tell it to do, not what someone else decides it should do and contradict my instructions.

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Answer 3

Feb 27, 2024 10:13 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks! That does help very much. The issue is when I move from my studio to office or other spot in my home, on occasion, I notice the WiFi has turned itself back on but is not connected to any network. I notice because of the stinging it causes throughout my body. So I look and there it is, self-enabled again.

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Answer 4

Feb 27, 2024 3:27 PM in response to Ryan Burkholder

Apple sells the Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapter in the Apple online store. That gets you an RJ-45 jack at your Mac.

wiring can be run any way that seems convenient for you. Some users by what c=re referred to as "pre-connected" long cables tis connectors already attached. if you have access to floor below or ceiling above, you can pull bulk wire into your wall and use a terminating kit to attach the wires to a Leviton 'keystone' jack in a modular wall plate. Wiring runs are limited to 100 meters, and category 5 wire or better should be used.

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Answer 5

Feb 27, 2024 4:51 PM in response to Ryan Burkholder

<<. I always have my MacBook Pro hard wired. >>

The way you phrased that I presumed that was a long-term preference, not an expression of how your space was currently set up.

if you have Ethernet already, what is the problem with what HWTech suggested? of deleting the interface from the list of interfaces to keep it turned off?

If you only need WiFi once in a blue moon, you can add back the interface for that session, then delete it again.

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Answer 6

Feb 27, 2024 4:59 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I shouldn't have to delete interfaces and re-add. I have erosive osteoarthritis in my hands. It's bad enough having to retype half of what I type because of a defective keyboard on my 2019 MacBook Pro. My hands can only take so much. I prefer properly working software to having my fingers given extra work.

When my wife uses my computer, then she has to figure out what's going on with the WiFi. Basically, why is my job to work around lousy software made by a company making billions while we all suffered through a pandemic. We could at least get products that work properly.

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Answer 7

Feb 28, 2024 11:35 AM in response to Ryan Burkholder

if it is going to turn on spontaneously, I would expect that to happen most often immediately upon staring up, and Not at other times.

You may be able to 'train around that' and use that as a work-around for now.

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Answer 8

Mar 19, 2024 12:59 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Happened again today, even after the 13.6.5 update. Submitted a bug report.

I get significant health issues from direct contact with wireless. Software bugs cannot be tolerated when physical buttons and switches are replaced with virtual counterparts. Make the software solid or don't replace the physical interface. Makes the product appear, cheap, like a drugstore toy.

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Answer 9

Mar 19, 2024 5:23 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

That's a great question. The user is an admin. So far, it appears to be random except that it's consistently after the machine was booted, restarted or had the lid closed. Typically it's when moving from one location to another, but I have observed it, twice, upon first boot for the day. I gets shut down every evening.

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Answer 10

Apr 25, 2024 9:30 AM in response to Ryan Burkholder

There is a gear icon under the list of interfaces that allows you to 'Set service order'. You may be able to drag WiFi and Bluetooth to the bottom of the list, which might make it less likely to be enabled automatically.

Also, Bluetooth uses the same radio as Wi-fi in the 2.4 GHz range. Be sure all Bluetooth options are turned OFF as well.

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Answer 11

Apr 27, 2024 7:20 PM in response to Ryan Burkholder

Happened again just now. I've even set WiFi to remain disabled and requires an administrator's password to enable. Still reenabled itself. There's no security on a platform where serious software errors like this exist.

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