How do I reset network setting mac when I’m facing connectivity issues?

I’ve been experiencing some serious connectivity issues on my Mac lately. It’s frustrating because my internet connection drops randomly or becomes really slow, even when other devices on the same network work just fine. I read online that it might help to reset the network settings, but I’m not entirely sure how to go about it. I’m concerned that I might lose important configurations or worsen the situation. It’s also unclear if there’s a specific order I should follow or any precautions I need to take before proceeding with the reset. I’m just looking for a clear path to follow so that I can get my Mac back to a stable and reliable network connection.
4 Answers

To reset network settings on your Mac, you can follow these straightforward steps:
- Open ‘Finder’ and navigate to ‘Go’ > ‘Go to Folder’.
- In the field, type
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/
. - Delete the following files (you might need admin permission):
- com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
- com.apple.network.identification.plist
- NetworkInterfaces.plist
- preferences.plist
- After deleting these files, restart your Mac.
This process will reset your network settings, and you might need to reenter Wi-Fi passwords.

Resetting network settings on a Mac can sometimes be daunting if you’re unfamiliar with the system files, but here’s a detailed guide to help you through it:
- Backup System Preferences:
-
Before making any changes, back up the System Preferences. Open the ‘Terminal’ and type
sudo cp -R /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ ~/Desktop/SystemConfiguration-backup
to save a copy of the configuration files just in case you need to restore them. -
Remove Network Configuration Files:
- Navigate to the specified directory by entering
open /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/
in the Terminal. Manually locate and move these files to the Trash:- com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
- com.apple.eapolclient.configuration.plist
- com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist.xml
- NetworkInterfaces.plist
- com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
- Restart the Mac:
- Once those files are deleted, restart your system. The reboot will force macOS to create fresh copies of these files, which should resolve network issues.
Remember, this process might disconnect you from your network momentarily until you input the necessary Wi-Fi credentials again.

When I had to reset my Mac’s network settings, here’s what worked for me:
- I clicked on the Apple menu and opened ‘System Preferences’.
- Inside System Preferences, I went to ‘Network’.
- I selected the network connection I was having issues with, clicked the minus (“-”) button to remove it, and then clicked ‘Apply’.
- I restarted my Mac.
- I returned to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Network’, clicked the plus (“+”) button, and re-added the network connection.
This approach made sure that any temporary misconfigurations were cleared.

Encountering network issues on your Mac can be incredibly frustrating. Here is a thorough breakdown of how to reset network settings:
- Navigate to ‘Library’ > ‘Preferences’ > ‘SystemConfiguration’ folder in Finder.
- Move the following files to the Trash (be sure you’re logged in as an administrator):
- NetworkInterfaces.plist
- com.apple.network.identification.plist
- com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
- preferences.plist
- Additionally, you can update configurations for an Ethernet connection by resetting the PRAM/NVRAM:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately press the Option + Command + P + R keys for about 20 seconds.
- Release the keys when you hear the startup sound.
- Restart your Mac again to apply these changes.
This method not only resets your network settings but also renews the parameter RAM (PRAM/NVRAM), which might enhance overall system performance.