MacBook Pro Wi-Fi Intermittently Disconnects Following the Latest macOS Update
Based on your EtreCheck report, one area worth investigating is the presence of multiple security and system-maintenance applications:
- CleanMyMac (sometimes jokingly called "BrickMyMac")
- Apple's built-in security technologies
Multiple security and maintenance utilities can introduce unnecessary background processes, system modifications, and potential software conflicts.
Part 1 of 2 — Two Approaches to Restoring macOS
The following recommendations assume the offending application has already been removed, following the developer's specific uninstall instructions.
Option 1 — Reinstall macOS
Some Apple Community contributors recommend restarting in macOS Recovery and reinstalling macOS over the existing installation.
This generally preserves your data, applications, and user account while replacing macOS system components.
However, this approach does not guarantee that corrupted user settings, modified preferences, or unwanted third-party components within your Home Folder (User Account) will be corrected.
Option 2 — Erase and Start Fresh
Other contributors, myself included, favour a more comprehensive approach when there is reason to suspect extensive system or user-environment modifications.
Apple's instructions:
Use Disk Utility to Erase a Mac with Apple Silicon
After erasing the Mac, configure macOS as a new installation and reinstall applications directly from the Apple App Store or their respective developers.
Important: I recommend avoiding a wholesale restoration through Migration Assistant.
Your Time Machine backup may contain the same problematic applications, preferences, configuration files, or other components that contributed to the original problem.
Restoring everything indiscriminately could simply reintroduce the issue.
Instead, selectively restore personal documents and essential data.
The objective is to establish a clean, stable macOS environment.
Part 2 of 2 — Understanding macOS Security and Malware
Traditional Windows-style self-replicating viruses are not characteristic of the modern macOS threat landscape. However, Macs are not immune to malware.
macOS benefits from multiple built-in security protections, including its UNIX foundation, application permissions, code signing, and system integrity protections.
The Sealed System Volume
Modern macOS uses a cryptographically verified, sealed, read-only system volume. This prevents ordinary users and third-party applications from freely modifying protected operating system components.
Apple Platform Security — Sealed System Volume
Built-in Application Security
Apple provides several integrated security technologies, including Gatekeeper, notarization, and XProtect, to help protect against malicious software.
Additional information:
Mac App Security Enhancements
Effective Defenses Against Malware and Other Threats
Where Does Malware Come From?
Adware and malware can still affect Macs. Common sources include:
- Untrusted websites and downloads.
- Unverified developers.
- Software bundled with unwanted components.
- Fake software updates and misleading download prompts.
- Applications requesting unnecessary permissions.
For additional reading:
What Is Malware? — Apple Community
Source: Apple Community User Tip by @Kurt Lang.
Final Thoughts
Intermittent Wi-Fi disconnections following a macOS update do not necessarily indicate a defective operating system.
Third-party security software, VPNs, network extensions, and modified system or user settings can all contribute to connectivity problems.
I recommend investigating these potential causes before considering a complete erase-and-install.
The goal is to identify and eliminate the underlying cause rather than repeatedly applying temporary fixes.
User level: Level 1 (4 points)
