People write in with mysteries all the time. One is why their Mac (and sometimes other devices) apparently wants to connect to a Wi-Fi network just fine but not able to access the Internet through that connection. They know that the password and the network are both correct: they have other devices, such as an iPhone that is connected without any problems.
The culprit is usually a firewall or VPN. Most people no longer use firewall software even though macos continue to offer it as an available feature in System Settings > Network. Apple is pretty much one application Firewall, one that gives apps the opportunity to communicate in and out, rather than one network One that can be configured to block incoming addresses, connections to specific Internet ports on your computer and other activities. (This is available, however, from the command line in MacOS.)
If you are using a third-party firewall that blocks traffic and unable to connect to the Internet after creating a valid Wi-Fi connection, check its rules and configuration. It may be necessary to disable it for a moment or activate an option that asks you to provide a new network configuration before continuing.
You are more likely to have a VPN (virtual private network) enabled for work, school or personal protection. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and another item on the Internet, which may be inside a business or academic network firewall or in a data center when using a VPN you pay for as a service.
The problem is not VPN but the VPN’s ability to connect. When you connect to Wi-Fi, your VPN settings may have the service try to connect to its counterpart at the other end of the tunnel. If it can’t make that connection, it may seem that you have no internet connection.
The solution is to either disable or remove VPN. Depending on VPN’s settings, you may just turn off its switch; In some cases, you may need to disable an option that has tried to always create a VPN connection as soon as you connect to a network. VPN -Settings are located in Settings (iOS/iPados) or System Settings (macOS) at the upper level if it is enabled or in Network. Configurations can be embedded under VPN & Filters, depending on your version of the operating system.
You can remove a VPN configuration by clicking or pressing in (info) icon to the right of its name, clicking or tapping Remove the configurationand confirmation of the operation. In iOS or iPados you can also go to Settings > General > VPN & Device ManagementSelect VPN’s profile, press Remove the profileand confirm.
This Mac 911 article is in response to a question presented by Macworld Reader Ken.
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