Wifi constantly looking for networks

A solution at last!

I have this same problem on a new MacBook Air running OS X 10.9.4

Wifi says it is connected and the diagnostics show that it is working fine but the status indicator drop down says it is "Looking for Networks" every 5 seconds. Trying to work remotely is a nightmare since I was constantly being tossed out. It was not my router, since my iPad has no problem connecting and staying connected. This had nothing to do with waking from sleep, since it occurs after a hard reboot. Turning bluetooth off had no impact. I finally found a fix on another thread (thank you LindsayfromLondon) that seems to be working.

Go to system preferences>network and switch off the "show wifi status in menu bar" then click it back on.

Took me hours of searching to find this solution. Hope this helps someone else.

Still intermittently getting this problem. Seems linked to laptop waking up from sleep.

1) If the wi-fi connection fails completely and I get an empty wi-fi symbol on the menu bar, then I have to restart the laptop.

2) If it is just the constantly scanning every five seconds for wi-fi network, then I find going into system preferences, network, and then unclicking the 'Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar' and then reclicking on 'Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar' stops the scanning.

I just installed OSX 10.9.4 and the problem is still there.

Hi,

I was having same problem with MB Air, factory installed with OSX Mavericks (1 week old). I was getting a Wi-Fi: Looking for networks message every 5-6 seconds, which was very worrying (and extremely annoying). I went to System Preferences > Network > Selected Wi-Fi > Advanced > Highlighted current connection, Clicked ➖ to remove it, ➕ to connect it, there I added my network name, passord etc and unticked show connection status - applied these settings, (which causes wi-fi icon to disappear) then ticked the box again, so it shows as it did originally. Since doing this the problem appears resolved. Hope that helps!

THANK YOU, NGMoore! I don't know if it was turning off the bluetooth or just removing the "wi-fi status" from my bar but doing that finally allowed me to connect to wifi and actually load something online without the "searching for wifi...." showing up every 3-5 seconds and preventing anything from opening!

This was happening in different physical locations so I knew it was laptop related. So glad I can use my stinkin' macbook pro again!!! You rock -- thanks for sharing your hard-found knowledge (compliments of our London friend!)

Hi Brandon,

Try this thread where John Galt helped me with a factory reset of my Airport:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4981200?answerId=22237959022#22237959022&ac_cid=op123456#22237959

Also some links posted by Eric Root:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5306581?tstart=0

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues in OS X

Wireless Connection Problems - Fix

Wireless Connection Problems - Fix (2)

Wireless Connection Problems - Fix (3)

Wireless Connection Problems - Fix (4)

Wireless Diagnostics - About

Regards,

Ian.

My problem happens in different locations, so I think it is happening because of my computer's setup

Thank you very much it was driving me mad , now at the right hand top of my screen the wifi icon {pyramid] is gone, no more searching for networks thank you very much. So far you have saved me trip to the Mac store, I phoned the support number and they told me to buy a new router which I did told him not to hang up give me the name of the one to buy and so on and so on and it didn't work the first person told me it didn't matter his did this all the time. Wrong answers until you . Thank you

Have you made a new Location, and tried different setup information, to see if there is a problem with the first Location? How about a different user account, to see if that connects to the internet; if so, the issue may be in the main user account you most often boot into.

Sometimes the issue may be worked around in base station wireless router settings, or a reboot of the base.

Is there any other similar neighorhood base station using the same channel number nearby that you've chosen to set yours to? How about a microwave oven, a microwave communications tower, or a cordless phone that shares a frequency the base station prefers? Interference can be a cause of odd issues, too.

Your computer likely is new enough to get some help at an Apple Store, with a Genius appointment.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Just reporting the same. I have tried this fix and my 13inch Retina Macbook Pro 2015 still searches for networks every 3-5 seconds. It is extreemely frustrating to have to reset the wifi every minute I want to use the laptop.

I followed all the instructions until I got to the point after highlight your network. I could not find a way to disconnect my network. This is what my screen shows: What do I do next?

Hi Brandon,

System Preferences > Network > (bottom of window) Assist me... > Diagnostics...

Follow the prompts.

I often have to do this several times a day. Sometimes it tells me to restart the modem/Airport. Just turn them off, wait 10 seconds and turn back on. Wait for a new connection.

Also handy to keep Network in the menu bar:

System Preferences > Network > tick Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar.

Regards,

Ian.

Sometimes, to just 'Turn AirPort Off' from the AirPort icon

drop-down on the Apple Menu: Wait 30-sec, & turn back on

can do wonders. Perhaps the cure depends on where the

issue actually resides in a specific system, or OS X build.

At times, mine will be searching, yet still be connected to wi-fi.

If I'm bored and have a few more minutes to waste on this, then

to look further into System Preferences> Networks is helpful.

Working answers for older OS X versions sometimes fix this

in later OS X versions; but not always. The method suggested

by Capt Fab is a good way to re-establish the pathway anew.

A fair answer to an odd issue. Seldom - or never - had this 🙂

Your solution just fixed my problem with 'constantly searching for networks'. Stopped the scanning for now. Will have to see how it goes after waking up from sleep a few times (in case it returns). But many thanks for this!

I've been having a problem with my macbook pro retina display since I bought on Nov 29th 2013. It constantly loses the internet connection, more so when the mains supply is off & it goes to sleep. When I wake it, there's no internet & I have to manually reconnect it. I've been in constant touch with apple care & even had the macbook in for repair. However, apple have recently discovered there's a software problem with the macbook & they're currently trying to find a solution. If you're experiencing the same problem, it seems it's all down to a conflict between wifi & bluetooth. Turn off the bluetooth & everything should be fine. I'm told that once a solution to this is found, an update will be released. It's a pain, because I do use Bluetooth & Wifi at the same time.