WiFi Troubleshooting - Manual address settings on Mac OS X

Owned by Lyons, Andrew H
Last updated: Dec 28, 2021
2 min read

Issue

If trying to connect to UAlbanyWiFi, after following instructions and common troubleshooting steps, check the DNS or DHCP settings in the network properties. If these settings are set to a specific number, switch it to obtain the correct information automatically.

To view and correct these settings if necessary, take the following steps.

Resolution

  1. From the Airport/WiFi menu, click Open Network Preferences

  2. For the connection type desired (Airport/WiFi in this case), click the Advanced button in the lower right

    Image illustrating the Network Preferences window in OSX, particularly the Advanced button in the lower right
    Image illustrating the Network Preferences window in OSX, particularly the Advanced button in the lower right




  3. The status window below will open, giving current network/Internet settings. If the IPv4 or DNS addresses are not in the 169.226.*.* range, it is likely (not definitively, though) that one or more of the addresses is manually configured.

  4. Both the IPv4 and IPv6 entries should be set to automatic. If they are manually entered, change to automatic, click OK, click Apply, and the addresses should correct within several seconds.

    Image illustrating the Advanced Network settings's TCP/IP tab and selections for automatically configuring IPv4 and IPv6 automatically with DHCP.