MacBook WiFi automatically turns on and searches

MacBook Neo Wi-Fi Turns On by Itself After Opening the Lid

Device: MacBook Neo 13-inch

macOS: 26.6

If you normally use your MacBook Neo with a wired Ethernet connection and always switch Wi-Fi off before closing the lid, it’s understandable to wonder why Wi-Fi appears to turn itself back on when you open the MacBook.

There are a few things worth checking before assuming it’s a macOS bug.

1. Check what “Ask to Join” actually does

The Ask to Join Networks setting controls whether your Mac prompts you to join available networks. It does not turn off Wi-Fi or prevent the Mac from searching for nearby networks.

Keeping only your own Wi-Fi network in the saved list helps prevent your Mac from automatically connecting to other known networks, but it does not stop Wi-Fi from searching for nearby networks or prevent Wi-Fi from turning itself back on.

Apple explains Wi-Fi network settings here:

Apple Support: Manage Wi-Fi networks on your Mac

2. Confirm whether Wi-Fi is actually turning back on

This is the most important step.

1. Open System Settings >> Wi-Fi and switch Wi-Fi off.
2. Confirm that it is off before closing the lid.
3. Let the MacBook go to sleep, then open the lid.
4. Check the Wi-Fi status before changing anything.

If Wi-Fi is now On, the wireless interface has been enabled again. If it remains Off, what looks like network searching may actually be a notification or another display behaviour.

Repeat the test a couple of times to see whether it happens consistently.

3. Check “Wake for network access”

Go to System Settings >> Battery >> Options, if available, and look for Wake for network access. If you don't need network access to shared resources while the Mac sleeps, try setting it to Never.

This setting controls certain network-related wake activities. It is not a master switch for Wi-Fi, so changing it may not resolve the issue.

Apple's guide: Set sleep and wake settings on Mac

4. Check Ethernet and update macOS

Make sure Ethernet is connected and working under System Settings >> Network. Having a wired connection does not automatically mean macOS will disable Wi-Fi.

Next, restart your MacBook and check System Settings >> General >> Software Update for any available updates.

If the problem continues, Apple's Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide may help:

Apple Support: If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi

5. If Wi-Fi keeps switching itself on

If you can confirm that Wi-Fi is off before closing the lid but on again immediately after opening it, the behaviour deserves further investigation.

Contact Apple Support and explain that the issue occurs after sleep and wake on a MacBook Neo running macOS 26.6. Ask whether this behaviour is expected or could indicate a software issue.

I wouldn't recommend deleting network preferences or running Terminal commands just yet. First, establish that Wi-Fi is genuinely being re-enabled.

Bottom line

Using Ethernet doesn't require Wi-Fi to be switched on, and Ask to Join Networks doesn't control whether the Wi-Fi radio is enabled.

The key question is whether your MacBook is actually turning Wi-Fi back on or whether it only appears to be searching for networks. Establishing that difference is the best starting point for finding the cause.

Ensure the wired connection is listed first in the System Settings > Network > ⋯ > Set Service Order list.

It's probably still possible to shut it off in Settings (not via Control Center!), but it self-enabling doesn't surprise.

Various features require Wi-Fi, including AirDrop and Continuity. Find My wouldn't surprise, too.