How to reset mac network settings?

When I had trouble with my Mac’s network settings, I reset them by deleting certain configuration files. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Close all applications.
2. Open “Finder” and select “Go” from the menu.
3. Choose “Go to Folder” and type in “/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration”.
4. Locate and delete the following files:
   • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
   • com.apple.network.identification.plist
   • NetworkInterfaces.plist
   • preferences.plist
   • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
5. Empty the trash.
6. Restart your Mac.

These steps delete the network configuration files, forcing your system to generate new defaults, which can resolve misconfigurations.

To resolve your network issues, you can reset the network settings on your Mac by following these steps:

1. Open “System Preferences” from the Apple menu.
2. Click on “Network.”
3. Select the network connection that you are using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Click the “-” button at the bottom to remove the selected network.
5. Confirm the removal.
6. Click the “+” button to add a new network connection.
7. Choose the appropriate network type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and name it.
8. Click “Create” to finalize the addition.
9. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network using your credentials.

This will reset the network preferences and should help in establishing a fresh connection.

As an IT professional, I often use these comprehensive steps to ensure a clean network reset:

1. Backup Network Settings: It’s always smart to back up current settings before making changes.
2. Reset Network Preferences:
   • Open “System Preferences” > “Network”.
   • Note down existing configuration.
   • Remove current network by selecting and clicking the “-” button.
3. Clear Wi-Fi Preferences:
   • Navigate to “/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration”.
   • Delete the files:
   • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
   • com.apple.network.identification.plist
   • preferences.plist
   • NetworkInterfaces.plist
   • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
4. Restart Devices:
   • Reboot your Mac.
   • Reset router and modem if needed.
5. Reconfigure Network:
   • After restart, open “System Preferences” > “Network”.
   • Add a new network using the “+” button.
   • Manually re-enter network settings.

Following these steps ensures your network settings are thoroughly reset, reducing the risk of residual misconfigurations.

Sometimes the problem can lie deeper than the network preferences themselves. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Unplug or turn off your modem and router.
2. Go to “System Preferences” > “Network”.
3. Remove the current network connection by selecting it and hitting the “-” button.
4. Restart your Mac.
5. While it’s restarting, turn on your modem and router, making sure the signals are active.
6. Once your Mac is back on, go back to “System Preferences” > “Network”.
7. Add a new network connection by clicking the “+” button.
8. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network by entering your network name and password.

Rebooting both the hardware and OS sometimes resolves deeper connectivity issues.

I find using Terminal for network resets to be very efficient. Here’s a quick guide for you:

1. Open “Terminal” from the “Applications/Utilities” folder.
2. Type the following command and press enter:
   sudo ifconfig en0 down && sudo ifconfig en0 up
3. Enter your admin password when prompted.
4. If you’re using Wi-Fi, type:
   sudo networksetup -setnetworkserviceenabled Wi-Fi off && sudo networksetup -setnetworkserviceenabled Wi-Fi on

These commands disable and re-enable the primary network interface, resetting your network connections without requiring any GUI interaction.