How to Reset Network Settings on a Mac

Struggling with flaky Wi-Fi, recurring “self-assigned IP” errors, or sluggish internet on your Mac? Unlike iOS, macOS doesn’t offer a one-click “Reset Network Settings” button—but you can achieve the same result with a few quick steps. In this guide, you’ll learn two safe, effective methods to clear out old network configurations and start fresh.

Why Reset Your Network Settings?

• Unstable Connections: Fixes dropped Wi-Fi links, poor signal hand-offs, and “no internet” issues.
• IP Address Conflicts: Clears out corrupted DHCP leases and self-assigned IPs.
• Corrupted Preferences: Removes outdated or malformed preference files that macOS may misread.
• Fast Troubleshooting: A comprehensive reset can save hours of piecemeal debugging.

Before You Begin

1. Back Up Your Settings.
   • Note any static IPs, custom DNS servers, VPN or proxy configurations.
   • Screenshot your Network pane in System Settings for easy reconfiguration.
2. Save Your Work.
   • You’ll need to log out and back in, and possibly restart your Mac.
3. Administrator Access.
   • Both methods require an admin account (to delete system files or change the network service list).

Method 1: GUI-Based Reset via System Settings

1. Open System Settings → Network.
2. Select Your Service.
   • Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or any other active interface.
3. Click the “…” Menu (•••) and Choose “Remove Service.”
   • Confirm removal.
4. Add the Service Back.
   1. Click the + button at the bottom of the service list.
   2. Choose the interface type (e.g., Wi-Fi).
   3. Click Create.
5. Re-join Your Wi-Fi & Re-enter Passwords.

Tip: If you use multiple networks (home, work, coffee shop), delete and recreate each as needed.

Method 2: Full Reset via Terminal

For a deeper reset—clearing every saved network preference—use Terminal to delete the System Configuration files. macOS will rebuild them on reboot.

1. Open Terminal (Finder → Utilities → Terminal).
2. Run the Following Commands (enter your password when prompted): sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.network.identification.plist sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist
3. Restart Your Mac.
4. Re-configure Your Network.
   • After reboot, macOS will recreate fresh preference files.
   • Open System Settings → Network to add services and re-join Wi-Fi.

(Optional) Flush DNS Cache & ARP Table

To ensure truly “clean” networking, you can also flush caches:

1. Flush DNS Cache: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
2. Clear ARP Table: sudo arp -a -d

Troubleshooting Tips

• Still No Connection?
  • Check your router or modem—sometimes the issue lies outside your Mac.
• VPN & Proxy:
  • Re-install or re-configure your VPN client after the reset.
• Software Updates:
  • Ensure you’re on the latest macOS version (Apple menu → About This Mac → Software Update).

Conclusion

Resetting your Mac’s network settings is a powerful way to clear out hidden glitches and restore a rock-solid connection. Whether you prefer the safe, GUI-driven approach or the deeper Terminal method, these steps will have you back online in minutes. If problems persist, it may be time to consult Apple Support or explore hardware issues—but most users find their network woes vanish after a clean reset.

Ready to get back online? Give one of these methods a try today, and let me know in the comments which worked best for you!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!