No sooner was OS X Yosemite released in October before Mac users started to complain of Wi-Fi problems with the new release. OS X 10.10.1 is currently in development and testing, but until then, what are you to do with Wi-Fi that isn't working right? Here's one possible fix until Apple works out the problems.
Many users aren't having any Wi-Fi problems with Yosemite, but some are. And the problems are maddening. Wi-Fi connections drop, or spontaneously stop working. Word of one interim fix comes from reader Evan H. Katz, who recently talked with Apple's own tech support about the problems he's been having with Wi-Fi. The solution comes from modifying the Network system preferences.
To help stabilize Wi-Fi on Yosemite
- Click on the menu.
- Select System Preferences...
- Click on Network.
- Click the Advanced... button.
- Click the checkbox next to Change networks.
- Click the OK button.
- Click the Apply button.
- Close the Network system preference.
By changing this option, your Mac won't slip onto another Wi-Fi network without you typing in your administrative password to make the change.
Katz said that Apple support suggested that if the problem doesn't get any better, to try renewing the DHCP lease.
To renew your Mac's DHCP lease
- Open the Network system preference again.
- Click the Advanced button.
- Click the TCP/IP tab.
- Click the button marked Renew DHCP Lease.
- Click the OK button.
- Close the Network system preference.
Most of us will need to be patient for Apple to get its act together for 10.10.1, but I hope this gives some of you some improved reliability for Wi-Fi until then. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments.
Reader comments
Having Wi-Fi problems on OS X Yosemite? Here's a possible fix!
My connection randomly gets slow. For example I might be getting 300 kb/s then that might drop to 100 bytes. The only thing that works is turning wifi off and on again. Weirdly enough I usually get around 75 kb/s while watching YouTube and the video keeps pausing to load but when I download a new OS X beta I get speeds of around 10 MB/s
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Thanks, got any ideas why Finder is painfully slow since installing Yosemite? When I move though folders I get the spinning wheel constantly. A relaunch helps for a short time.
Check out this OSXDaily article that was written regarding Mavericks, but may also relate to Yosemite (a misbehaving finder plist).
- Fix Finder Slowness & High CPU Usage Issues in OS X Mavericks
http://osxdaily.com/2013/11/13/fix-finder-slow-high-cpu-use-mac-os-x/
@ Peter... here are u from San Jose ? that looks like the wifi near san jose state over at Mc Donald's haha :) Bay Area Rocks
Peter's from Mass, I do believe
This issue has been driving me crazy. I have two MACs in my house both exhibiting this issue. My iMAC is running the official Yosemite release. My MBA was running the public beta and is now armed with the two 10.10.1 beta patches neither of which fixed my WIFI issues. Every couple of minutes I have to turn WFI off and back on again. This evening I was one step away from restoring Mavericks until a friend sent me a link to this article. It's been an hour since I made the suggested change and so far so good. Many thanks Evan and Peter. Even if the "fix" doesn't hold my hair will have lasted an extra hour at least :)
I hope this works - I have had nothing but problems on both of my Macs since the Yosemite update. Internet works fine on both for a short while, then shuts down. The only solution has been restarting which is very frustrating.
Keeping my fingers crossed and I owe you a solid if it works!
yess!!! it's work for me. i renew dhcp and change network. i did it both. And its' WORKK!!. Thanks very much form Aceh, Indonesia :D
The first fix looks like is working Thanks!
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Update: Back to tearing my hair out. Once I shut the lid and reopened I was back to square one. I tried repeating the steps above but to no avail. Look out baldness here I come. :(
Some other possible fixes suggested at osxdaily (Hope it's OK mentioning another site here). First option of deleting plist files and restarting working so far for me but I won't count my chickens just yet. (Hope that expression is understood outside of my little world here in Ireland).
Nope, did not fix the problem. I have two Mac's with Yosemite and I am constantly losing a WiFi connection and having to reboot. This quite frankly is pissing me off big time.
Anyone have a suggestion?
Please write a complain to Apple, it is very very annoying, the problem is still there after many months.
Everyone please write a complain here - http://www.apple.com/feedback/
"Fixes" giving temporary respite but problem ultimately returns. Don't know how much longer I can put up with this. Mavericks looking very attractive right now.
Its 10.10.4 now - and I see the issue isn't fixed yet. From the day when I added a Bluetooth mouse, I started getting this issue. Why added my mouse - which another issue. Using trackpad started giving me numbness in my right arm, and mouse solved it at last. Now WiFi. :-(