Nothing kills the mood like a slow internet connection, especially if you have advanced tech gadgets like MacBook air. At times, it’s possible to experience slow internet problems on Mac. However, here are some tips that could help.

There can be variations like connected but slow internet speed or no internet connection when it comes to slow internet problems.

Problems with MacBook Air

Internet problems with MacBook can be pretty typical. Unfortunately, the MacBook doesn’t have data capability, so we’re relying on WiFi.

Interestingly, fixing MacBook internet is easier than you think. So, if you get confused with terms like the DNS, ISP, modem, router, or IP address, you might have never gone into too many details. But, don’t worry. We’re here to fix that.

What You Normally Try

So, if you have tried everything like checking the internet connection on your other devices, talked with your internet provider, reset the router multiple times, etc. Still, your Safari browser won’t load the website, and it’s time to fix your Mac.

Even though refreshing the browser and hoping that the Wi-Fi it would turn back on isn’t the most intelligent thing to do, it’s still worth a shot.

Let’s talk about what you need to do.

Signs of a Slow Wi-Fi

There are pretty obvious signs of a slow connection. Some of these are consistent with all devices, while others may be specific to the apple Macbook pro or air. The following indicate a slow connection:

  • Files can take too long to download or upload.
  • Online videos on YouTube, etc., keep lagging or buffering.
  • Websites might be too slow in loading.

Causes of Slow Wi-Fi

All of the issues that we just saw come from a slow Wi-Fi connection. So, why is the internet becoming so slow? If you’re a mac user, it might be due to one of the following reasons:

  • Issues with the Internet provider (ISP)
  • The trouble with the internet equipment, i.e., Router, Cables, modem, etc.
  • Problems in your Mac.

Fixing Slow Internet Connection

So, now that we zero in on the problem at hand, let’s see how we can fix the issues not related to Macbook. Therefore, before checking the Macbook pro or air, it is best to verify that there are no problems with your internet gadgets.

Here are the steps you need to follow.

Check Your Router

First up, check the router and make sure all the necessary lights are turned ON. Therefore, you will need to check the ethernet cables and if they are correctly plugged in.

Router Reset

Next, restart the router and the modem. Make sure to unplug the power cable and restart after at least half a minute. Apple also provides guidelines for the Wi-Fi devices and routers, which is quite comprehensive.

The distance between the router and your device is also critical. Often, people place routers inside the cabinets or closets. So, the signals need to pierce through multiple layers and walls.

To prevent this issue, you can try placing the router in an open space, possibly close to your Mac.

Check Router Firmware

Next, see whether your router’s firmware has the latest upgrade. For that, go to the manufacturer’s website and match your firmware with the latest ones.

Disconnect the VPN Service

Many users prefer VPN services, and there can be many reasons for it. So, if you are using such a service, disconnect the VPN and test the speed again.

Internet Provider Issues

If you are using a limited internet package, you probably exceeded the monthly limit. Or, your internet provider may be experiencing issues, so you must get in touch with their customer support.

External Disturbances

At times, other signals can interfere with your Wi-Fi signals, and it can affect the internet speed. Therefore, make sure your Wi-Fi device is placed away from cordless phones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, etc.

To prevent disturbances, you can find out your router’s IP address and change the channel. Here is how to do it.

Check your router’s IP. Usually, it’s printed at the back of the device. You can also go to System Preferences and click Network to check for that.

Then click Advanced and then TCP/IP. Next, click router.

Now, copy your router’s IP address, paste it into the Safari browser and enter the page. Here, you will find your router’s settings.

Now, you can select the channel. Here, it’s a good idea to choose a channel that is at least five channels away to prevent any frequency overlaps. Next, you can use Wireless Diagnostics to find out which frequencies work best for your Mac.

Running Wireless Diagnostics

First, close all the apps on your Apple Macbook. Press the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon. Now select Wireless diagnostics to change the settings.

Next, you can analyze the wireless environment and follow the instructions on the screen. You can now monitor your Wi-Fi connection further.

Faulty Macbook

When you have tried everything, but the problem persists, it’s time to check your Mac. Often, it may seem impossible to detect the problem. However, if you get into such a situation, here is how to resolve the issue.

  • Open the Menu bar on your Mac and turn off the Wi-Fi.
  • Now turn off your router
  • In the Apple drop-down menu, click on Restart
  • After the Mac book restarts, turn On your router and wait for two to three minutes.
  • Click on the Wi-Fi icon to reconnect to the router.

Very Slow Wi-Fi Connection

Sometimes, the internet can suddenly become too slow. In such a case, you may want to check your sibling’s downloads because they might be eating up the Bandwidth. However, it’s also likely that some of the background apps in your Mac may be responsible for it.

Anyways, to fix the problem, you can quickly scan your Mac using Advanced Network Care. Here, you can see issues with the connection speed. In this way, it may help resolve these issues.

Also, you can use the Wi-Fi Explorer app on your Mac to see slow internet issues. In the Wi fi explorer, you can manually change the Bandwidth and data volume. At times, apps may require larger Bandwidth than the others to restrict the transmission to other devices.

This is especially true at the time when you have multiple devices using one Wi fi connection. You can also ask your network provider to limit the Bandwidth for specific applications.

Some More Ways to Fix Slow Internet Speed in Mac

If the mentioned techniques don’t do the job for you, here are a few more options that you can try to fix your Macbook pro or mac air.

Mac OS Update

At times, an outdated operating system can also cause slow internet. So, to update the macOS, here is what you must do.

For older macOS systems up to macOS Sierra, open the App Store and then click Update.

For a MacBook running macOS or later, go to System Preferences and click Software Update. When the updates are available, click Update.

Reset SMC

First, reset the SMC, turn off the Mac, and press the Shift, Control, and Option keys together. Hold the key and release it after 10 seconds.

Press the power button to turn on the machine and see if the slow internet problem has been resolved.

Reset your Mac PRAM

Another possible solution is to reset your programmable RAM. First, reset the PRAM, turn off your Mac and press the Command, P, R, and Option Keys together and hold it for 20 seconds.

It will reset your PRAM and also restart the Mac.

A Few Things to Know about the Internet

Now that you know how to fix network speed in Mac, here are a few essentials to know about the internet.

Troubleshooting Network Issues in Wi-Fi Explorer

The Wi-Fi explorer is an excellent app to troubleshoot Wi-Fi at home or office. Numerous options provide enough details regarding questions related to security, range and signal quality, etc.

Your Internet Use Sets the Maximum Speed

To get the maximum internet speed, your network users must be controlled. So, no matter how many Mbps your ISP may be providing, it’s your internet consumption that sets the limits.

Speed and Bandwidth are different.

Speed determines how fast your internet can run. On the other hand, Bandwidth is the amount of data that can travel at the same time. If you only use your MacBook for emails and social media, you don’t need to pay much for higher Bandwidth.

Conclusion

Slow internet can be rather annoying, especially on a device so advanced as the Apple Macbook. However, several issues contribute to it.

We have listed the most viable options that could help prevent your machine from getting into similar problems. These are so simple that old and new users can quickly try an option that works for them.

With so many solutions, the users have flexible options to eliminate the internet issues on their Apple MacBook.

So, do give these a try and follow us for more solutions.