Problems with WiFi on macOS Big Sur

App & System Services Core OS macOS

Created Jun ’20

Replies 142

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I've updated to Big Sur from Catalina and I'm having trouble when connecting to WiFi networks. At first no network appeared and now even though it has connected silently to my usual network, it is showing as no connected, but internet actually works.

Anyone having this kind of problems so far? I haven't seen anything related on the forums nor the release notes.

Answered by Frameworks Engineer in 613924022

Could you please report this via https://feedbackassistant.apple.com and attach a sysdiagnose?
You can trigger a sysdiagnose by running sudo sysdiagnose from Terminal. Thank you!

PincOX OP

Jan ’21

I'm experiencing the same troubles as most of you described here in comments. At first I also thought it was my Wi-Fi router going crazy, but then I noticed it was actually the update to Big Sur from Catalina I made a few days ago. The Wi-Fi connectivity swings from full connection to no connection, also ping going high and back to low. When downloading movie torrent, the speed fluctuates much more than before. Hope it'll be back to normal with new update very soon!

Marko85 OP

Jan ’21

I have the same problem and I have tried literally anything but it keeps happening.
I have a Macbook Pro 13-inch, 2017 with Big Sur.

These are the symptoms of the problem:

I open my laptop in the morning, the internet connection seems working for a moment and it suddenly stops.
I click on wireless icon, I click Network preferences, and I am unable to see configurations as the windows seems to be stuck.
By checking Activity Monitor I see the kernel_task process with high CPU.
I am unable to restart or shut down the laptop unless I press the power button.
After restarting I either have no problems or, often, I am even unable to switch on the wi-fi at all. It just doesn't seem to work and I am forced to restart again.

If, after restarting the problems are solved, everything works fine... until the next morning! I usually put the laptop on sleep and the following morning I experience these issues.

Now, this is what I have tried to do:

Completely re-installed the whole operative system and been careful not to install VPNs or software that could trigger these issues... At first it seemed to work fine, but I started experiencing these problems again after some days.
Tried resetting NVRAM and PRAM (don't remember which one exactly) but just been pressing those keys when the laptop starts, with no luck
Uninstalled VPNs software (thinking they were the problem)
Created a new Network Location (as suggested in some websites). It just doesn't solve anything.
Tried booting on safe mode and restarting, but this cannot be the solution anyway!

Some details about what may causing it:

I am using a bluetooth mouse, can it be a problem with the bluetooth? (I cannot find a link though)
I have a usb hub, with hdmi external monitor and usb keyboard connected to it (wondering if these can affect the wifi hw? (not sure)
I usually put my macbook on sleep (and the problems always appears in the following morning, this may be a trigger for the issue to happen)

I am seriously trying to find a solution because I have wasted hours and hours of time without being able to connect to internet and lost track of what work I was doing. This is really annoying.

I am going to try to talk with Apple Support this week and hoping that someone may help. I would not mind to have my laptop replaced as I am not 100% sure this is just a software issue.. but for some reasons it started after installing Big Sur. I have used my laptop with no issues before, for over 3 years, so...

I hope someone from Apple is monitoring this thread and can help us!
It's hard to speak with someone because of the pandemic, but I would appreciate if someone from Apple could get in touch for this problem.

I will update you if I have any news guys.

RicsiXboy OP

Feb ’21

After the Big Sur update I started to have Wifi problems and also with My Airport Express (it was not visible many times). I tried to reset all settings as NVRam, SMC but it didn't work. It turned after of many days of up and downs with the internet that after uninstalling the VPN (not just disabling ) the connection problems disappears. I will try to install the VPN again after few days, but for now I enjoy my internet again.

avv3lenato OP

Feb ’21

Recent OS update 11.2 didn't fix this bug...

pg-control OP

Feb ’21

Same thing here , brand new Mac Mini M1 , works out of the box for 3 weeks without problems, now after update to big Sur 11.2 WLAN is unusable, tried also everything like NVRAM reset etc.

p42 OP

Feb ’21

WPA and Big Sur do not play well together.

Check your network, get on a WPA2 or better and try again

CanKarabulut OP

Feb ’21

Greetings,

I am also a Macbook Air 2017 user. Whenever I did the BigSur update, I cannot use Wifi properly from that moment on. Although my distance to the modem is maybe 10 meters, my internet does not receive properly and I constantly experience disconnections. Also the situation worsened with the 11.2 release.

Thinking it might be a hardware problem, I took it to Apple and they changed the wifi card too. But the result is still the same after the BigSur update.

Please solution ..

Michal1986 OP

Feb ’21

After last update I have a lot o problems with my Mac

List of my problems :

the internet connection seems working for a moment and it suddenly stops.
when I click on wireless icon, I click Network preferences, and I am unable to see configurations as the windows seems to be stuck.
I am unable to restart or shut down the laptop unless I press the power button.

After restarting I either have no problems laptop is working for some time and all problems start again often, I am even unable to switch on the wi-fi at all. It just doesn't seem to work and I am forced to restart again.

off2hky OP

Feb ’21

I've lost my internet connection to Safari like I lost my money on $GME stonks last week! Oddly enough, my google chrome browser works and Big Sur 11.2 is lost in California. Please help, this is ridiculous that these kind of problems are happening, if you guys aren't ready for an update, then don't release it!

I was close to going to Apple to buy a new laptop today but saw someone having issues with a new model as well. Maybe that's the master plan anyways, planned obsolescence. I read ya, I read ya.

Listen Dr. Evil, please respond and fix my half eaten apple!

Mic drop!

Itamar79 OP

Feb ’21

Same problem here, recently update and wifi drops a few times a day, switching from one network to another works instantly which shows me that it's not the wifi that is the problem. Hoping to see a fix anytime soon.

avv3lenato OP

Feb ’21

Recent OS update 11.2.1 didn't fix this bug... Seems that my iMac switch from my router to the wifi repeater and back (Same SSID). If you have a repeater try unplugging it; connection is WAY worst, but no more dropping connection.

Sebastiaan05 OP

Feb ’21

The same problem here: yesterday I upgraded to Big Sur and now I'am experiencing WIfi poblems. I don't see any possible solutions in this thread, or am I missing something?

DevanReddy OP

Feb ’21

If you have a VPN, I un-instalied it and then re-installed it. This solved the problem for it. I am using Express VPN.

avv3lenato OP

Feb ’21

Found a solution using the Wi-Fi repeater (now with a different SSID)
only for the iMac... Everything's back to normal. The absurd is that
before Big Sur I never experienced those problems.

reza2112 OP

Feb ’21

I don't understand why this is marked as Solved. Clearly many people still have this issue and there has been no 'fix' per se, simply some workarounds.

Big Sur on MBP 2016, after the MBP goes to sleep and wakes up the wifi is disconnected, the only way to get it back up is to turn the wifi off and back on. very annoying. have tried all the 'fixes' suggested - resetting NVRAM, renaming location, setting dns to 8.8.4.4. DHCP and HOST etc. Nothing seems to work.

CW2233 OP

Feb ’21

Dont work for me either infuriating!
What good does a quick boot when u have to disconnect and connect wifi Every time.
Fix!

benjamind OP

Mar ’21

I have been having issues with wifi on my Mac Mini (2018) since upgrading to Big Sur. It would connect for a short period, start to be unreliable, drop connection for about a minute or so and then be unable to find the network for a while.

After trying all sorts, including wiping and reinstalling Big Sur, I traced the issue to either the connected old Apple Cinema HD display or the (generic) USB-C to DVI adapter I was using for it.

Since unplugging them my wifi issues have disappeared and everything is stable. So certainly worth checking any adapters you might have connected.

votdfak OP

Mar ’21

If I can contribute, try to disable Power Nap in battery settings. I am still testing, but I think it solved the issue for myself. WiFi was not working when waking up from sleep.

MBP 13" Late 2013
Big Sur 11.3 Beta (20E5196f)

TCap OP

Mar ’21

Why is this marked as solved? This should be marked as planned obsolescence given that majority of the people including their computer details are all older machines (my 2014 mpb included.) Like everyone else I've tried everything to fix including a reinstall but nothing works... there is simply no fix for this. My ability to work, meet project deadlines and answer support tickets is dead in the water. This Big Sur update is costing me money and loss time, wifi is dead drops every 20 minutes, had to end a client call yesterday because I lost connection so often. I was so tempted to go out and buy the imac mini because I can't afford the downtown but then got to thinking 1) what if this issue occurs on the new machines as well? 2) Why would I reward apple with another sale and just reinforce this technical negligence and what feels like planned obsolescence?

I wonder why this hasn't been fixed by now? Starting to feel like a trend by apple.

Kaykay88 OP

Mar ’21

Found this fix on YouTube.

systems preferences. Network. Advanced. Click on DNS tab. Click on the + sign and add these servers: 8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4

princesspajnra_ OP

Mar ’21

I had this same issue when I downloaded BigSur from Catalina. What had helped me with the internet connectivity was, I had to restore my laptop to factory default. Before you do that, make sure everything on your laptop is saved onto a memory stick, and/or backed up. After restoring everything to factory default, and downloading BigSur again, my laptop has been connecting to the internet/wifi smoothly. It's a lot of work, but worth it in the end.

J-Thor OP

Mar ’21

I just upgraded to Big Sur (11.2.3) from Catalina. And I'm experiencing this problem.
Is the only fix to reinstall Big Sur? that seems like alot of work for a "maybe" fix.
Anyone have any other ideas?

VanCrey OP

Mar ’21

I am having issues since the Upgrade to BigSure of my MacBook pro. Since upgrade my wifi became extreme slow whilst all other machines work as normal. I have not yet found a way to fix that and i am running on 11.2.3

ethaniel OP

Apr ’21

You need to reset your network settings. This manual fixed the problem for me: howchoo.com/mac/reset-network-settings-macos

Calvin_BT OP

Apr ’21

Does Big Sur 11.2.3 fix these issues right now?