Wifi constantly looking for networks

Thanks! Being lazy I tried unchecking and then checking the 'display' box without removing the network connection and this corrected the problem. Wierd. This problem has been very irksome for months now but the wifi finally has a solid connection.

Yes, it is normal behavior.

In former system versions prior to Mavericks, the issue implied a change in status

of the actual wi-fi network and some users were forced into different levels of effort

to be able to resolve that issue; of which this was a symptom. But not necessarily

so in the present day with an updated Mavericks or newest Yosemite. Or I hasten

to say, it shouldn't be.

With more than one Mac in the same room, turned on or asleep, it's easier to compare

between those versions of OS X that have different quirky behaviors. Sadly those which

were close to perfect are now considered obsolete, yet are fine and very stable, still. 😎

I am trying to follow your instructions but when I re-enter the network name, password, etc., I don't see a box to uncheck "Show Connection." I see a box that says "Show Wifi in Status Bar." I have a MacBook Air 13 inch that we bought in early 2014. Have the latest updates, etc.

Reply Helpful by Captain Fabulous on Apr 26, 2014 9:09 AM

Wi-Fi: Looking for networks message constant.
> System Preferences > Network > Selected Wi-Fi > Advanced > Highlight current connection,
Click ➖ ➖ to remove it, ➕ to add it.
Manually enter network name, password, and uncheck show connection status, then click Apply. (causes wi-fi icon to disappear) then,
check the show connection status box again, so it shows as it did originally.
Problem solved. 🙂

Hi Captain. I'm seeing the same problem on a 2014 MacBook Pro running Yosemite 10.10.5. I tried your solution and it didn't work. Any other suggestions? BTW I'm seeing the same problem on my 2009 MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion

I tried the solution, but found when I clicked Apply, the Apply just went grey and stayed grey, and did not seem to be working. Sick to death of this issue - my non-Apple-using family members have no problem using the same wifi in our house - mine constantly looking for networks and pages take ages to open - constant frustration. Sorry I bought Apple.

Why do we have to do all this stuff, when my other family members, who don't use Apple, just go online with the same wifi and have no problem, but I am sitting there watching the circle go round and round, pages not opening, and constant "looking for networks".

Hello! Im having the same problem but the wifi doesn't work. I've run the diagnosis and it says everything is fine. The wifi works on my phone and my iPad. It is just with my laptop that doesn't work. I've tried the recommendations here. I'm really frustrated

Hey!

So I had this issue...until 5 minutes ago. I had to google for an answer on my iPhone because it was so frustrating on my Macbook as the page wouldn't load etc.

So I thought with so many people having success with the Captains solution, I thought I'd give it a shot - however this didn't work initially (removing the connection and re adding and ticking and unticking the 'show wifi status' box).

Next, I unticked that box again ('show wifi status') and clicked apply and started browsing without the wifi icon and low and behold - I had no issues...mind you it's been 5 minutes without any issues, but that's 4.5 minutes better than any uninterrupted browsing time I've had in the last year!! After a while browsing without the icon, i went back to network preferences and ticked the 'show wifi status' box and it's still fine!!

The only concerning thing is that the wifi icon/display still switches from 'Wi-Fi: On' and 'Wi-Fi: Looking for Networks...' every 2-3 seconds still...as it does with many other users on here...but my connection works fine now...so it could be a normal thing (on my macbook version: 13" retina display, bought in May2015 on Yosemite and now on El Capitan) as mentioned by users farmerSam and K Shaffer

I'm still unsure entirely how I did this, it could be that the Captains solution was correct and I just didn't do it properly initially, in which case, thanks haha! So give it a go...hopefully it solves a lot of peoples problems as I know how frustrating this is.

Had the same issue after I had resetted my mac. Reached out to apple support and he suggested to create new network location. Worked for me. Give it a try.

open system preferences > network > In Location drop down select edit location and give a new name and Ok.

now connect to your wifi network again !! 🙂

Had the same issue after I had resetted my mac. Reached out to apple support and he suggested to create new network location. Worked for me. Give it a try.

open system preferences > network > In Location drop down select edit location and give a new name and Ok.

now connect to your wifi network again !! 🙂🙂

I spoke with apple support and they said this is a normal message because it is searching for available networks whenever you move around. If you go to Starbucks, for instance, it will connect you to their network.

That WORKED, Captain! Great job! Thanks!

Hi Captain Fabulous,

I have tried many times but still unable to resolve the problem. Can you assist please?

Still not working, looking for networks every 2-3 seconds... any other solutions?