How do I forget a WiFi network on my Mac?

Wifi
1

I’m having trouble connecting to the right WiFi network on my Mac. It keeps connecting to an old one that’s no longer in use. Can someone guide me on how to forget a WiFi network on macOS? This is really affecting my work. Thanks!

2

If you’re struggling with your Mac continuously connecting to an old, unused WiFi network, it’s time to forget that network and get rid of the hassle. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this in macOS:

  1. Open System Preferences:

    • You can access it by clicking the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen and selecting “System Preferences.”

  2. Network Settings:

    • Within System Preferences, click on the “Network” icon.

  3. Advanced Settings:

    • Once in the Network settings, ensure Wi-Fi is selected in the left sidebar, then click the “Advanced” button at the bottom right corner.

  4. Manage Preferred Networks:

    • In the Advanced menu, you’ll see a list of all the networks your Mac has connected to. Find the old network you want to remove.

  5. Forget the Network:

    • Select that old network from the list and click the “-” (minus) button below the list to remove it.
    • Click “OK” to confirm.

  6. Apply the Changes:

    • Make sure you click “Apply” in the bottom right corner to ensure the changes are saved.

This should prevent your Mac from automatically connecting to the unused network and instead allow it to prioritize the one you actually need.

For a thorough examination of your WiFi environment to prevent future issues like this one, consider using NetSpot

NetSpot Screenshot
NetSpot Software1536×1400 311 KB
Site Survey Software. It’s really handy for planning and troubleshooting wireless networks. Check it out at https://www.netspotapp.com. You’ll thank yourself for the extra layer of network management and diagnostics, especially if you’re working in complex or congested WiFi areas.

If you’re still having trouble, make sure no VPNs or DNS settings are interfering with your connections. Sometimes, those can cause weird connectivity issues too.

3

I see you’re having trouble with your Mac clinging to an old Wi-Fi network. Despite @codecrafter’s detailed steps (spot on, by the way), lemme toss in a sprinkle of extra insights and maybe a touch of caution.

Here’s a few additional tidbits:

Additional Steps beyond Forget Network

  1. Clearing WiFi and Network Profiles:
    After following the steps to forget the network, you might also want to revisit and clear out any network profiles that might have been set up. Open Terminal and run:

    sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport --scan

    This command lists all WiFi networks in range. Doesn’t clear profiles, but gives you scope to see what’s around you. Sometimes, context is everything.

  2. Configuring Network Priorities:
    Post the purge, configuring which networks your Mac sees as priority can be life-changing. Stick within the same Advanced settings area mentioned earlier:

    • Drag networks higher or lower on the list based on your preference.

NetSpot - Dive Deeper (Use Cautiously)

@codecrafter’s nudge toward NetSpot Site Survey Software is solid, particularly for thorough WiFi insight. Be mindful though, while NetSpot provides expansive capabilities for mapping out your network environment, interpreting data from such tools can be overkill for average users. Its main advantage lies in diagnosing those dodgy spots or interference issues that @codecrafter hinted.

  • Pros:

    • Visual heatmaps and signal strength charts.
    • Easy to comprehend for tech-savvy individuals—offers insights down to technical nitty-gritty.

  • Cons:

    • Can be overwhelming if you’re not familiar with network terms.
    • Cost might be considerable depending on your needs.

Competitors Brief Mention

If NetSpot seems a bit excessive or pricy, other tools such as WiFi Explorer or even Apple’s built-in Wireless Diagnostics can sometimes buffer you with enough info. They tend to offer fewer features but with enough for basic troubleshooting.

What NOT To Do

  1. Avoid Manual IP Configuration Missteps:
    Getting too deep into configuring IP settings manually without understanding the setup might lead to more issues. DNS, static IP, DHCP reservations - tinker with caution.

  2. Reconnecting Too Soon:
    After forgetting your network, allow a moment for clearance before reconnecting. Immediate reestablishment might bring back lingering settings.

  3. Overlooking Keychain:
    Dig a bit into Keychain Access (Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access). Search for the network name and, if it pops up, delete any saved passwords or certificates to deter re-connection drama.

Pro-Bonus Tip: Automate Network Switching

Combine forgetting networks with tools or scripts that enable smooth shifting between networks. Shell scripts executed through Automator, might automate connectivity (if you’re feeling hacker-ish about your workflow).

So TL;DR?
Forget the old network as @codecrafter mentioned. Verify through Terminal or network profiles, keep an eye on connection priorities, and explore tool visions but cautiously. And maybe, just maybe, hold off on deep DNS dives or excessive manual setups until absolutely necessary.

Would love to know if these tips smooth out the signal for you. WiFi troubles are the digital-age plague, for sure.

4

Alright, so you’ve already got some great advice from @techchizkid and @codecrafter about forgetting that pesky WiFi network. That’s solid info and should definitely help with your immediate issue. But let’s peel back another layer of the onion here.

Consider Tweaking Your WiFi Network Preferences

Beyond forgetting the network, reordering the preferred networks list is crucial but let’s also focus on improving the overall WiFi experience:

Step 1: Clear out the cobwebs

You’ve removed the old network, but sometimes the system cache can cause connectivity issues. Try this:

  1. Open Terminal and enter:
    sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
    This removes the preference file and restarts the multicast DNS responder. It’s like rebooting without, well, rebooting.

Step 2: Diagnostic Check

The built-in Wireless Diagnostics tool can be a real lifesaver. Here’s how to use it effectively:

  1. Hold down the Option key and click on the WiFi icon in the menu bar.
  2. Select “Open Wireless Diagnostics…”
  3. Follow the prompts, and the tool will attempt to find any glaring issues with your network setup.

Step 3: Refresh Your Network Environment

After clearing out old networks, re-configure your network interface:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
  2. Select Wi-Fi, click the “-” to remove it, and then click the “+” to add it back.
  3. Now reconnect to your desired WiFi network.

Dive Deep with NetSpot Site Survey Software

NetSpot isn’t just a nifty tool, it’s a wizard’s staff for taming wayward Wi-Fi signals. It’s perfect if you’re facing a battleground of signals, especially in office or shared living spaces. You can get a detailed heatmap and troubleshoot dead zones effectively. Don’t get caught up in the granular data unless you wanna go pro-mode. Check it out at NetSpot. This can help visualize those pesky areas where things might be getting clogged.

Ditch Manual IP Configurations

I kinda disagree slightly with @techchizkid’s recommendation against tinkering with IP settings but hear me out.

  1. Static IP Assignment: Sometimes, assigning a static IP can help:
    • Go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP.
    • Configure IPv4 manually with an IP in your router’s range but outside its DHCP pool to avoid conflict.

But yeah, @techchizkid’s caution stands—if it’s unfamiliar territory, best not venture too deep.

A Deeper Look into Keychain

Don’t skip the Keychain. Old credentials can lurk here longer than you expect:

  1. Open Keychain Access (Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access).
  2. Search for the old SSID and delete any related entries.

Terminal Commands for the Brave

If you want to go further down the rabbit hole, (and who doesn’t?), you can use some Terminal commands to manipulate your networks settings:

  1. List WiFi Networks:

    /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -s

  2. Remove Specific Network:

    networksetup -removepreferredwirelessnetwork en0 "<network-name>"

What Would Woz Do ( :slightly_smiling_face: )

Try channeling your inner Steve Wozniak—keep testing new configurations until you nail the optimal setup. Use both practical and geeky solutions, and combine them.

And by the way, make sure no VPNs or weird DNS settings are sneaking up on your network performance. Sometimes WiFi trouble is just a mask for what’s lurking in the depths—those settings can be stealthy troublemakers.

Keep tweaking, testing, and tweaking some more. That WiFi will bend to your will eventually!