If your Mac started dropping Wi-Fi connection after updating to macOS Tahoe(macOS 26), you’re not the only one. Many MacBook owners-especially those on MacBook Air (and some Pro) and older Intel models–have reported issues such as random disconnections, slow or unreliable DHCP assignment, spinning beachballs, and Wi-Fi becoming completely unresponsive until the Mac is restarted.
While Apple may fix these problems in future macOS updates, several troubleshooting steps shared by experienced users and Apple Community contributors can help restore a stable Wi-Fi connection in the meantime. Below, I walk you through the most effective fixes, including resetting network configuration files, adjusting IP settings, and more.
1) Update to the Latest macOS 26 softwareRelease
If your Mac Wi-Fi became unstable after macOS Tahoe update, the first fix you should try is to update your Mac to the latest macOS software. A newer update may have already fixed this. To check for macOS updates:
- **Apple menu **> System Settings > General > Software Update and follow the onscreen instructions.
2) Forget Your Wi-Fi Network and Reconnect
If macOS is up-to-date but the Wi-Fi issue persists, simply forget your Wi-Fi network and reconnect. Hereās how:
- Go to System Settings > Network> Wi-Fi.
- Click the three-dots (ā¦) next to your network.
- A popup will appear and simply select Forget This Network.
- Reconnect by selecting the network again and entering your password.
This removes corrupted or outdated network profiles that may have broken after the Tahoe update.
3) Reset Network Configuration Files (.plist Files)
In my experience, this is one of the most commonly recommended–and most effective–fixes for Wi-Fi issues in macOS Tahoe.
- Turn Wi-Fi Off by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar > Turn Wi-Fi Off.
-
Open Finder and press Command Shift G or Finder > Go > Go to Folder.
-
Enter the following path:
-
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ -
Delete the following plist files (they will be recreated automatically):
-
com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
-
NetworkInterfaces.plist
-
preferences.plist
-
com.apple.network.identification.plist (if present)
-
com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist (if present)
-
Empty the Trash.
-
Restart your Mac.
-
Turn **Wi-Fi **back ON and reconnect to your network.
Users reported that removing these corrupted preference files often restored stable connectivity.
4) Reset Location Services
Some users found that location-based network settings were interfering with Wi-Fi after macOS Tahoe update.
- Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Turn Location Services Off.
- Restart your Mac.
- Turn Location Services On again.
5) Reset DNS & Network Stack via Terminal
If DNS caching or network daemons are stuck, this can refresh them. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities) and run:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Enter your admin password. This forces macOS to rebuild its DNS cache and restart mDNSResponder.
See also: Is macOS Tahoe Sluggish? Hereās Why and How to Speed it Up
