After updating my M3 Mac Pro to macOS Tahoe 26.0.1, I completely lost internet connectivity

After updating my Mac to macOS Tahoe 26 I completely lost internet connectivity. Wi-Fi will not connect even though all my other devices work fine (I can connect to wifi but I cannot connect to the internet - ie websites won’t load), USB tethering with my iPhone doesn’t provide internet, and Ethernet with an adapter shows as connected in Network settings but still won’t get online. Safari and other apps just say “can’t find server.” I’ve already tried deleting and resetting the SystemConfiguration network files, adding an additional network location, restarting, booting into Safe Mode, and using Ethernet, but nothing has fixed it. This only started immediately after the Tahoe 26 update, and my internet works fine on all other devices. Has anyone else had this happen, and is there any fix short of reinstalling or rolling back macOS?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Oct 5, 2025 12:56 PM

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14 replies

Oct 9, 2025 8:35 AM in response to Balsamicsourdough


You can try this. No guarantees it will work.


To reset network preferences on a Mac by deleting .plist files, disable Wi-Fi, open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, enter /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/, and delete files like com.apple.airport.preferences.plist, NetworkInterfaces.plist, and preferences.plist to the Trash. After restarting the Mac, your system will regenerate these files with default settings. 

Steps to Reset Network Preferences

  1. Turn off Wi-Fi: Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi Off. 
  2. Open Finder: Click the Finder icon in your Dock. 
  3. Use "Go to Folder": Press Command+Shift+G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog box. 
  4. Enter the Path: Type or paste /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ into the box and press Go. 
  5. Delete .plist Files: Locate the following files in the SystemConfiguration folder and drag them to the Trash: 
    • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
    • com.apple.network.identification.plist (if present)
    • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist (if present)
    • NetworkInterfaces.plist
    • preferences.plist
  1. Empty the Trash: Right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash. 
  2. Restart Your Mac: Go to the Apple menu and select Restart. 
  3. Re-enable Wi-Fi: After your Mac restarts, turn your Wi-Fi back on from the menu bar. Your Mac will automatically create new default .plist files, and you'll be able to reconnect to your network. 


Oct 5, 2025 5:22 PM in response to Balsamicsourdough

I'm at macOS 15.7.1 (24G231) Sequoia pre-26 update stage and experienced the "Cannot Connect to Server" message incessantly when trying to sign in to a newspaper subscription.


I decided to turn off my VPN (PIA) "Private Internet Access" and SHAZAM! — the problem disappeared instantly. I also decided to wipe my History and re-start my MBP M3Pro.

No problem. I then turned on PIA and the problem remained gone.

Whenever the message returns, I give it the "Turn off PIA" and all is well.


This has been the only difficulty I've experienced in six years of continuous PIA use. It has only occurred with recent iterations of macOS 15.x — so I'm inclined to blame the evolution of our macOS and continue to use the "PIA ON/OFF" workaround.


I'm also going to stay in my holding pattern before committing prematurely to the macOS 26 Tahoe update. It's a massive update, so I expect to be holding off until a comprehensive "ALL CLEAR" agreement is arrived at.


I hope this workaround with the VPN works for you, BSD.


Oct 7, 2025 11:11 AM in response to AjayMish

I tried many actions including rebooting the router, rebooting my Mac, forgetting this SSID and reconnect, try another Wifi and there is definitively an issue !

It appears only after the update 26.0.1 and worked perfectly before (26.0.0 and before)


@apple please fix it.

Happy to help identifying the root cause by proving more info...

After updating my M3 Mac Pro to macOS Tahoe 26.0.1, I completely lost internet connectivity

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