WiFi connectivity issues after upgrade to macOS 27 Golden Gate (Macbook Air M5)

Because the Mac remains connected to Wi-Fi but loses Internet access after waking, first check whether another device on the same Wi-Fi network still has Internet access. 

If possible, also test the Mac on a different Wi-Fi network. 

This helps determine whether the problem is limited to the Mac or specific to the network.

When the problem occurs, go to System Settings >> Wi-Fi >> Details and check the Mac's IP address, router, and DNS information. 

If these details are missing or have changed after waking, note the change. Apple provides information about Wi-Fi connection details here.

If the IP address and router appear normal, check whether the problem is DNS-related. 

For example, if a known IP address can be reached but websites cannot be opened by name, DNS resolution may be involved. Avoid changing DNS settings solely on the basis of this test; the result is primarily useful for narrowing down the problem.

Next, reproduce the sleep/wake sequence in Safe Mode, and then repeat it in a temporary user account. 

If the problem occurs in both environments, a cause specific to your normal user account becomes less likely. If it occurs only in your normal account, investigate that account's settings or software.

If you use a VPN, firewall, antivirus, DNS utility, content filter, or other software that interacts with network connections, temporarily disable it and repeat the test. 

Apple specifically recommends checking VPN and other security software when a Mac is connected to Wi-Fi but cannot access the Internet. Apple Wi-Fi troubleshooting.

Since you have already tried turning Wi-Fi off and on, forgetting and reconnecting to the network, renewing the DHCP lease, disabling Limit IP address tracking, and removing the specified SystemConfiguration files, I would not make further configuration-file changes at this stage.

When the problem occurs, run Wireless Diagnostics by holding Option while clicking the Wi-Fi icon and selecting Open Wireless Diagnostics. 

Apple provides information about this diagnostic tool here.

If restarting the Mac immediately restores Internet access, note that result as well. It does not establish the cause, but it is useful information when reporting the problem.

Finally, install the latest available macOS 27 update if available. 

If the problem continues, note whether it occurs on another Wi-Fi network, in Safe Mode, and in the temporary user account. These results will provide a useful basis for further troubleshooting or reporting the issue to Apple.

Regarding the Wi-Fi icon on the lock screen, I would not identify it as a new security feature based on the information currently available.

If it consistently indicates an inactive connection while the Mac remains connected to Wi-Fi, document that behaviour together with the loss of Internet access.

Hi, thanks for sharing! I tried re-installing Golden Gate from scratch but no luck. Since the issue really drove me crazy, I could think of nothing better than downgrading my Macbook back to Tahoe. Now Wifi connectivity is back to normal, as it should be. I just can't depend on a fix in some distant future by sacrificing my ongoing user experience. It seems that the issue has so far affected a limited number of users, so Apple stays oblivious to this bug.

Cheers.

I had the same problem: Constant dropping on my T-Mobile gateway but not on other wifi networks or hotspots. I tested for the problem using a guest account and verified a solid wi-fi connection with the T-Mobile gateway. So, the problem was limited to my account. Using Claude, I tracked down the source of my problem: The extension for Little Snitch (which I uninstalled many months ago) was running in the background and interfering with the network connection. Found this out using Terminal and running the command: systemextensionsctl list. So, I reinstalled the demo of Little Snitch, then uninstalled it to remove the extension. I haven't had any drops since, and it's been several days.

I'm testing out the 'Wake for network access' feature by setting it to 'Always' today and seeing if it's a temporary fix for this annoying bug. Only issue is it could drain out the battery faster but I usually have the laptop plugged in.

I had a problem where my computer disconnected from my internet connections under similar circumstances as well.

I had good strong signal, and once I told it to connect again it would stay connected -- until it slept.

My solution might not be generally applicable:

it turned out the access point I was using had a very poor connection to my main Router. I pulled a new Ethernet cable, got a good strong connection, and all has been just fine since.

I'm experiencing same issue on my MacBook Pro M1, this use to happen (not as frequently) a couple of macOS updates few years ago. But this time it's almost every single time after it goes into sleep mode.

I've tried all the steps above and the only workaround is a reboot to get internet access again. Both my iPhone and iPad Air 5 has no issues with the internet dropping after the latest update. This is definitely a bug.

Thanks for clarifying.

That is useful information because it confirms that another device on the same Wi-Fi network has normal Internet access.

I would therefore remove that test from the troubleshooting procedure, since there is no need to repeat it.

We can proceed with the remaining Mac-specific troubleshooting steps.

Commenting to boost. Having the same issue, it is super annoying. Whenever the screen shuts off, or screensaver activates, it looses internet connection (though wifi still connected, and wifi working for all other devices).

Network Packages are still being sent, though nothing is received by the Mac device. Only wifi-off, wifi-on seems to be working. But by the elapse of around 1 hours, it also looses connection without being put to sleep.

I have the same(or similar issue) on my M3 MacBook Air. I can browse for some period of time. Suddenly, no response from the internet. Turn Mac wifi OFF, then back on, and it fixes the problem (maybe for 20-50 minutes or so.). NO OTHER DEVICES HAVE THIS PROBLEM! The problem occurred AFTER upgrading to MACOS 27.

I'm a computer professional. This is NOT user error. This is a big fail by Apple!

Hi, thanks for sharing! The interference caused by Little Snitch has been reported in multiple user reviews. Glad you figured out how to remove the residual effects of this extension. In my case, I hadn’t installed any similar software that could affect the macbook’s connectivity to wifi networks. Creating a guest account was no use either.

first check whether another device on the same Wi-Fi network still has Internet access

Thanks for your reply!

I'm not experiencing this issue on my iPhone that is connected to the same network.

I also came across this life hack and it is even reported to work, though at the cost of battery drainage. I don't feel like compromising anyway.

Yes this is so annoying. Commenting to boost. They need to fix this.