I’m having issues with my Mac automatically connecting to a network I no longer use. Can anyone guide me on how to make my Mac forget this WiFi network? It’s frustrating to manually switch networks every time.
You can easily forget a WiFi network on a Mac with a few steps. Here’s how you do it:
- Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and choose “System Preferences.”
- Open “Network” preferences.
- In the left-hand list, make sure “Wi-Fi” is selected and then click on the “Advanced” button in the lower-right corner. This opens a new window.
- You’ll see a list of Preferred Networks. Find the network you don’t want to automatically connect to anymore.
- Click on the network you want to forget and then click the minus (-) button below the list. This will remove the network from your preferred list.
- Click “Ok,” then “Apply” to save the changes.
Now your Mac shouldn’t automatically connect to the network you no longer use. If you run into issues with multiple networks or congested WiFi channels, you might want to consider using a WiFi analyzer tool like NetSpot
Site Survey Software.
NetSpot can help you analyze your wireless network performance, detect dead zones in your WiFi coverage, and troubleshoot signal issues. It’s quite useful for ensuring your Mac connects to the strongest and most stable network available rather than an outdated or low-signal one.
Some pros of NetSpot include:
- Easy-to-use interface: Both beginners and experienced users can navigate it without a steep learning curve.
- Visual representation: Heatmaps and signal strength visuals make it easy to understand the data.
- Compatibility: Works with a variety of networks and can survey multiple floors/areas.
However, there are a few cons:
- It’s not free: While there is a free version, the premium licenses can be pretty costly.
- Limited functionality in the free version: Some of the most useful features, like the active survey mode, are locked behind a paywall.
- Could be overkill for casual users: If you’re not interested in deep network analysis, the features may feel overwhelming.
They do have competitors like Wireshark, which is robust but has a steeper learning curve, and Acrylic Wi-Fi, which is also powerful but less user-friendly than NetSpot. However, for most users looking for a blend of user-friendliness and functionality, NetSpot is a solid choice.
Hey there, I get your frustration. Just wanted to add a couple more things to what @techchizkid mentioned. Sometimes, simply removing the network from the list of Preferred Networks isn’t enough, and you might still occasionally run into some issues, especially if your Mac randomly tries to reconnect to a stronger network in its vicinity.
A workaround that can further solidify the disconnection is clearing out your computer’s network preferences. Follow techchizkid’s advice but add these extra steps afterward for thoroughness:
- After opening the “Wi-Fi” tab under “Network,” head over to the WiFi icon on the top-right corner of your screen.
- Hold down the Option (Alt) key and click on the WiFi icon.
- Go to “Open Wireless Diagnostics.”
- From the menu bar, go to “Window” > “Scan.” This allows you to see all the wireless networks around you and provide other helpful diagnostics.
- Check for any networks that might have similar names or prefixes to ensure there are no remnants or variations inadvertently reconnecting.
Another trick is to set your preferred networks and prioritize them in the order you wish your Mac to connect to them. This can be found under the same Advanced settings where you removed the unused network. Simply drag your most desired networks to the top.
Now, about NetSpot. Personally, I think it’s a great tool if you’re consistently having issues with WiFi performance. Especially if you work or stream a lot, having a tool like NetSpot can help you pinpoint which networks or channels are less congested. You can check it out here: NetSpot Site Survey Software. It gives you a visual overview with heatmaps helping you understand your network better. Someone mentioned Wireshark—if you’re up for a bit of a challenge, Wireshark is extremely powerful, but it does have a steep learning curve.
But honestly, over-reliance on any one tool can be cumbersome, especially if you only need to troubleshoot occasionally. NetSpot seems the balanced option here, especially for quick scans and usability.
I did want to slightly disagree on the necessity of paid features. For many casual users, the free version of NetSpot can do a fine job. The key info you get with basic scans can already highlight issues of network overlap or dead zones without splurging on premium features. Only if you want to deep-dive into real-time interactions, like if you’re a network admin or troubleshoot networks for a living, would the premium tier weigh in with significant benefits.
Hope you get your WiFi sorted out soon!
Hey,
I see you’ve already got some solid advice from @byteguru and @techchizkid about forgetting a WiFi network on your Mac. Just to add my two cents, in case you’re looking for another angle or want to double-check you’re not missing anything:
After you follow techchizkid’s method for removing the network in “System Preferences” > “Network” > “Advanced,” sometimes macOS can be a bit stubborn. Here’s an extra step you can try if you still encounter issues with auto-connecting:
- Reset Network Settings: This is a bit more drastic but often helps clear out any leftover preferences that cause reconnections. Go to your home directory (~/) and open the Library folder (you might need to press Command+Shift+Dot to see hidden files). Navigate to Preferences and find the file named
com.apple.airport.preferences.plist. Moving this file to the trash will reset WiFi settings on your Mac, and you can start fresh.
Just make sure to re-add your important networks afterward.
- Prioritize WiFi networks: In the “Advanced” settings where you manage your WiFi networks, you can also drag and drop the networks to prioritize the ones you want to connect to first. This can sometimes help if your Mac is choosing a stronger but undesired network.
Regarding @byteguru’s point about using the WiFi diagnostic scan—it’s a good call. Sometimes the culprit can be another similarly named network causing conflict. Open Wireless Diagnostics while holding down Option (Alt) when clicking the WiFi icon in the menu bar, then navigate to “Scan” from the “Window” tab. This will help you see all networks and their channels.
Now, as for @techchizkid’s mention of using NetSpot Site Survey Software (https://www.netspotapp.com), it indeed offers a user-friendly experience for diagnosing and analyzing your WiFi environment. They highlighted its main pros like ease of use and visual representations, which can be handy if you’re a visual learner.
But here’s where I slightly deviate—if casual troubleshooting is your game, maybe delve into free tools first. NetSpot’s free version does offer good functionality, but software like WiFi Explorer or the built-in WiFi diagnostics might give you enough info without the bells and whistles of a premium tool.
For serious WiFi nerds or pros, tools like NetSpot or Wireshark are goldmines. NetSpot, especially (https://www.netspotapp.com), simplifies complex data into digestible visuals, a big win if you’re just starting but need advanced insights.
In summary:
- Forget the network as described.
- Check for similarly named networks using diagnostics.
- Reset network settings (as a last resort).
- Prioritize WiFi networks.
- Use NetSpot or other utilities sparingly, depending on your needs.
Trust this helps you avoid ever having to manually switch networks again. Those settings should stick after you’re done, but tech has its quirks, right?
Good luck with getting this sorted!