Can't connect to WiFi on Recovery Mode

Question

Can't connect to WiFi on Recovery Mode

Hey guys,

After I did a stupid thing to my Mac (Re: OSX Yosemite - Changed HDD permission to "No access", doesn't log in) and can't log in, I decided it's time to format it, and install Yosemite again.

So, naturally, I could just use the Recovery Mode option to re-install the OS without much problem, right?

Well, it turns out that after I cleared PRAM (at least that's what I think caused this issue, I might be wrong), my Mac forgot its Wi-Fi settings, so it did not automatically connected to my home's internet. No dig deal, since I know the password and I could just try to connect again, right?

Well [2], when I try to do just that, a message pop ups that says: "The Wi-Fi Network *NAME* could not be joined. Try moving closer to the wireless router".. This error appears when I try to connect to *any* network, including my neighbor's.

And since this is a macbook pro with retina display, it does not have the ethernet port, so that's out of question.

Any ideas to solve this? :/

Thanks in advance

- Bernardo

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Nov 11, 2014 3:19 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 5, 2017 8:10 AM in response to nickm538

Hello!

My problem was, when in Recovery Mode, the computer didn't let me type in the wifi password once I chose it. It started working for me when I firstly erased the hard drive via the disk utility, and after that re-booted again, and let the computer go into Internet Recovery Mode. After that everything worked, could choose my wifi and type in the password in Internet Recovery Mode and re-install the OS.

Hope this helps, drove me crazy for some hours 😀

Mia

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Answer 2

Nov 12, 2014 2:43 AM in response to nickm538

Hi Nick,

Thanks a lot for you reply.

However, I don't think I made myself very clear, so I will try to explain me better.

I haven't actually recovered my Mac. I am trying to do that, because I can't log in to my computer and use it normally. What I can NOT do is connect to my Wi-Fi when I am on the recovery mode of my OS. You know, when I press command+R and where I can use the disk utility, reinstall the OS, erase the drive, etc. That's when the error I mentioned in my original post shows up. There's no option "Advanced" in this situation.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

- Bernardo

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Answer 3

Jan 26, 2016 9:29 AM in response to Bernardo.Khyn

People; please read the original poster's question before responding.

Bernardo.Khyn: are you using a U.S keyboard layout? If not - try to input your password as you would on a U.S keyboard layout- special characters swap keys accessing those said special characters on your keyboard. My guess is you have some special characters in your Wifi password? Apparently, recovery mode forces the keyboard to run U.S keyboard layout by default, no matter where you have bought your Mac.

Try that and let me know if it resolves your issue.

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Answer 4

Azzardo

Level 1

4 points

Dec 27, 2015 8:55 AM in response to Bernardo.Khyn

Have you confirmed that your wifi encryption (WPA, WEP, etc.) is compatible with an internet recovery? If not, check the list here: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

I was having the same problem and it turned out that our WEP wifi wasn't compatible. I logged into our router, switched over to WPA2, and it fixed the problem.

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Answer 5

nickm538

Level 1

12 points

Nov 11, 2014 7:26 PM in response to Bernardo.Khyn

Hello!

This is a somewhat common issue that you described after a recovery, and can usually be easily fixed.

When you recover your Macbook, it is like a reset for part of your computer, in this case the operating system "OS X" (Apple's operating system).

I say partly reset because your password information usually stays the same within the hard drive and can "hook on" to the new settings when you try to connect to the WiFi, and thus not connect.

To solve the problem, try this:

1) Click on the WiFI symbol on the top bar.

2) Click Open Network Preferences.

3) Click Advanced in the lower corner.

4) Clear all WiFi network's by using the "-" button.

5) Reset your computer.

6) Log back in, both to your computer and your WiFi network by clicking on the WiFi symbol on the top bar and following the instructions. (usually WPA/WPA2/WPA2 Enterprise experience this issue).

7) It should connect!

Let me know if this does not work and we can go from there.

Best,

Nick

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Answer 6

mfosat

Level 1

4 points

Jan 7, 2015 4:09 PM in response to Bernardo.Khyn

Hello Bernardo,

Have you found a solution to this issue? I am have the same problem.

- Matt

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Answer 7

kinnth0

Level 1

12 points

May 3, 2015 5:53 PM in response to Bernardo.Khyn

I've also got this problem as i'm trying to do a full disk wipe at the moment but it can't connect to any wifi network even ones that are know and work when the mac is not in the cmd+shift+R startup mode.

It's very odd. I've tried to take off all know wifi's using the minus button then reset and only added my single home wifi but that doesn't work. It sees the wifi network in the list but it can't actually ever connect to it in recovery mode.

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Answer 8

leroydouglas

Level 10

202,896 points

Dec 27, 2015 10:02 AM in response to Bernardo.Khyn

In internet Recovery you always have to manually type the WiFi psswd.

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Answer 9

Oct 19, 2016 11:17 AM in response to formsoldier

Much appreciated, this was my case.

Regards,

Dani

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