How do i restore my wifi setting back to the factory settings? I have changed it somehow :/ and now my wifi will not connect. My Airport is on and showing full strength but will not connect.

To restore the AirPort's settings back to its "out of the box" configuration, you just need to perform a "factory default" reset on it.

Try the following, in order, until (hopefully) resolved:

1a. Delete Preferred Network(s)

• System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
• Under "Preferred Networks," delete the network(s) you regularly use from the list.

1b. Delete AirPort Keychain Entries

• Launch the "Keychain Access" application located in Applications/Utilties.
• In the windows on the left side: Select login for Keychains and "All Items" for Category.
• Click on the "Kind" filter at the top, and look for any "AirPort network password" entries...and delete them.

1c. Add Preferred Network(s)

• System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
• Add the preferred network(s) using the "+" button.
• Restart or log out then back in.

2. Move System Configuration Files

(Note: You will have to reestablish your network connections settings.)

• Go to /Library/Preferences
• Move the SystemConfiguration folder to the desktop.
• Restart your Mac. (Note: OS X will rebuild the files that are now sitting on your desktop. If this doesn't resolve the issue, you can move the folder back to it's original location.)

Hello. I have a similar problem and tried this same fix, but the problem remains. I picked up a macbook 1.1 the other day. Seemed to work, but no internet access. Airport is on. In network prefs I get the message 'Airport has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect to the internet.' I learned that this can occur with machines that used a University or similar wi-fi. I tried many things, the last being the routine that you (Tesserax) listed. The airport keeps reverting to the self-assigned IP. : 169.254.218.88. I thought it might be the age of the machine or of the Airport, but as jbidois (has a similar problem with a newer machine, I wonder... Any thoughts? Thanks.

Can your MacBook access the Internet from any other Wi-Fi just not the one you are currently at?

I haven't tried. I just got it for free! and brought it home. I have admin access to it, but I don't know as that helps with fixing this problem.

I'm asking to find out if the problem is with the MacBook or your wireless router. Solutions would be different for each. If you get a chance please try to see if your MacBook can connect and gain Internet access from other Wi-Fis. A good place to try is your local coffee shop or similar establishment where you can get free access. Please post back your results.

OK. The router is brand new. I don't think it is atfault. We have had other devices working simultaneously already- MBPro and this iMac.

T. I need to go out. If I can test the Macbook outside the home I will, and will get back to you.

Ok, if other devices are connecting but just not your MacBook then let's start troubleshooting the MacBook to possibly find out why.

Please try each of the following, in order, until hopefully resolved:

Note the following are excerpts from an OS X Daily article.

* Turn Airport on & off – You can do this via the Airport menu bar or from the Network Preferences. This is the first thing you should try when troubleshooting Mac wireless problems.

* Make sure Wireless/Airport card software & firmware is up to date – This is usually done just by going to the Software Update menu, if there are any updates available for your Mac or Airport, install them.

* Delete and recreate connection – Try deleting and recreating/reestablishing the wireless connection, sometimes a setting can be corrupted and this may fix it.

* Create a new Network Location – Similar to the above suggestion, try creating a new and different wireless network location to see if it resolves the connection problems.

* Change DHCP auto settings to manual – sometimes there is a problem with the DHCP server, and if you manually set an IP address on the network you can be fine. Remember to set the IP to a high number so it wouldn’t interfere with other DHCP machines. As long as you have the subnet mask, router, and DNS settings configured manually as well, this shouldn’t be a problem.

* Flush the DNS cache – Launch the Terminal and enter the following command onto one full line within the Terminal: dscacheutil -flushcache

* Zap the PRAM – Reboot your Mac and hold Command+Option+P+R during restart until you hear another chime, let the Mac boot as usual.

* Delete Wireless Config files – Delete com.apple.internetconfigpriv.plist and com.apple.internetconfig.plist files from ~/Library/Preferences and reboot

* Trash your home directories SystemConfiguration – Remove all files within ~/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ and then reboot your Mac.

* Reset your Mac’s System Management Controller (SMC) – For MacBook and MacBook Pro’s: Shutdown the MacBook/Pro, remove the battery, disconnect the power, hold the Power Key for 15 seconds. Replace the battery, reconnect power, and zap the PRAM and wait for 2 chimes before letting the keys go. Let boot as usual.

T. I will try these. I probably can't get soft/firmware up to date as I can't get onto internet wirelessly and ethernet port does not seem to work. Thanks.

J. It should be toward the end of the preferences files, after all of the com. files.

T. Don't know why, but my daughter started the macbook and it recognized our home network. Huh! Now if I can get the dvd drive to work properly we'll be OK.... Thanks.

You're very welcome! I'm glad you (your daughter) got it working again.