Mac Mini M1 stopped connecting to Wi-Fi

This will workconected to a Wifi extender...

The Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Apple

dwgero

Posted on Mar 30, 2024 10:06 AM

Apple no longer allows the operating system drivers for USB wifi adapters.

What's guaranteed to work is the following combination:

1. A Wifi range extender or travel router or pocket router that has an Ethernet port.
2. A USB-C Ethernet adapter or USB-C hub with Ethernet port and USB-C power provider.
3. An Ethernet cable to connect the two.

You put the range extender or travel router in AP mode (sometimes called bridging mode or client mode). Thus, the Ethernet port is now a wired connection to your wifi network.

An example of #1 is the TP-Link WR802N Nano Travel Router.

An example of #2 is the Anker PowerExpand 6-in-1 USB-C hub.

Combining those two with a short flat Ethernet cable will put everything right next to your Mac.

Total cost is a little more than a USB wifi dongle, but it's less than $80 and guaranteed to work on all Macs in the foreseeable future.

USB WiFi adapter that works with M1 Mac - Apple Community

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.

We might try this...

To find out if it's system wide or user specific, try this...

Open System Preferences>Users & Groups, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.

Does it work in the new account?

OK, just asking, you tried this part?

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.