Can't click on or select DNS settings in Advanced WiFi interface in network preferences

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Level 1

1 points

Can't click on or select DNS settings in Advanced WiFi interface in network preferences

When I choose Network Preferences in System Preferences then click on the left-hand Wi-Fi network and choose: Advanced I am unable to select DNS (or TCP/IP for that matter) settings.

I have moved the wi-fi network preference files is library/preferences (not Home) and rebooted and it seemed to work the first time until after I input DNS settings once. The second time I couldn't access DNS settings and I moved the preference files it didn't change anything for the better. I rebooted in safe mode and was able to access DNS settings once but that is all. It's weird. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why I can sometimes click on DNS settings or TCP/IP.

Is there a fix for this? Thank you!

Mavericks 10.9.5 Macbook Air, 2013 (I think)

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2013)

Posted on Feb 28, 2016 1:45 PM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

685,257 points

Feb 29, 2016 9:01 AM in response to angelams

Might be a corrupt .plist.

Do a backup, preferably 2 backups on 2 separate drives.

Quit the application.

Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J. When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.

Restart the computer, open the application, and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.

If the application is the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer one.

Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.

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Answer 2

angelams Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 1, 2016 9:20 AM in response to Eric Root

Hi, Thank you for the reply and suggestion. I wasn't clear but I have already tried moving 5 plists files (4 wifi network .plist files and the system preferences plist file) all at one time to my desktop and rebooting without it fixing the problem. Though I didn't know how to easily get to the system preferences files so this helps me.

I've also rebooted in Safe Mode to clear the cache but the problem still persists. But I think I've found a (sort-of?) fix. It works if I lock the keychain and close and re-open System Preferences and then re-open and unlock, click on the TCP/IP first and then the DNS tab.

Thanks again.

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