Slow Internet Connection on Mac? 11 Fixes to Speed It Up

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Hashir Ibrahim

Last updated: September 7, 2024

Expert verified

There’s nothing worse than slow internet on your Mac when you’re trying to get things done. In this guide, I’ll explore 11 easy fixes to help you speed up your slow internet connection on Mac so you can enjoy a seamless online experience.

How to Fix Slow Internet Connection

Here, I’ll guide you through eleven methods to fix a slow internet connection on Mac.

1. Restart Your Mac and Router

Restarting your devices is a simple yet effective way to troubleshoot a slow internet connection on your Mac.

Here’s how to restart your Mac and router:

a. Restart Your Mac

1. Save any open work. Go to the Apple menu and select Shut Down.

2. Wait for your Mac to turn off completely, then press the power button to restart it.

3. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select your network from the list. Enter your Wi-Fi password if prompted.

4. Open your web browser and try accessing a website or running a speed test to check if your internet connection has improved.

b. Restart Your Router

1. Turn off your router by pressing the power button or unplugging it.
2. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
3. Once the router lights stabilize, reconnect your Mac to Wi-Fi and test your internet speed.

2. Disable Browser Extensions

Disabling or removing unnecessary browser extensions can improve your browsing speed and overall internet experience. Follow these steps to disable browser extensions on your Mac:

1. For Safari: Click Safari in the menu bar, select Settings, and click the Extensions tab.

2. For Chrome: Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the browser, select More Tools, and choose Extensions.

3. For Firefox: Click the three-line menu in the top-right corner of the browser, choose Add-ons and themes, and select Extensions.

2. Go through the list of installed extensions and review each one.
3. Disable or remove unnecessary extensions:
   1. For Safari: Uncheck the box next to each extension you want to disable, or click the extension and then click the Uninstall button.

2. For Chrome: Toggle the switch next to each extension you want to disable, or click the Remove button to uninstall the extension.

3. For Firefox: Toggle off each extension you want to deactivate, or click the three dots next to it and select Remove to uninstall the extension.

4. Close and reopen your browser to ensure the changes take effect.

3. Clear Browser Caches, History, Cookies and Downloads

As you browse the web, your browser collects cache, history, and cookies, which can slow down its performance over time. Regularly clearing this data improves browsing speed, frees up storage, and helps maintain your privacy.

Check out how you can clear browser cache on your Mac in my detailed guide.

4. Update Your Browser and macOS

Keeping your browser and macOS updated ensures smoother and faster internet use.

a. Update Browser

Follow these steps to update your browser on Mac:

1. Launch the web browser you want to update.
2. The process varies slightly depending on your browser, but typically, you’ll find the update option in the Help or About section of the browser’s menu.
3. Most modern browsers will automatically check for updates once you access the update settings. If there is an update available, you’ll see a prompt to install it.

b. Update macOS

Now, follow these steps to update macOS on your Mac:

1. Click the Apple logo and select System Settings.

2. Click General and select Software Update.

3. Your Mac will automatically check for available updates.
4. If there is a software update available, you’ll see a prompt to download and install it.
5. Click the Update Now button to begin the update process.

5. Scan Your Mac for Malware

Malware can slow down your internet connection. Use antivirus software like MacKeeper to scan and remove any malware from your Mac.

Here’s how you can run a virus scan on your Mac using MacKeeper:

1. Download and install MacKeeper.
2. Launch MacKeeper and navigate to the Antivirus tab in the left sidebar.

3. Initiate an instant virus scan by clicking the Start Scan button.

4. If viruses are detected during the scan, click the Fix Items button to resolve the issues.
5. If your system is threat-free, you’ll see a No threats found message. You can tap the Restart button to run the scan again.

6. Enable real-time antivirus protection to safeguard your Mac from future threats by clicking the Enable button.

After configuring your security settings, MacKeeper will continue to operate in the background, diligently scanning for threats and actively blocking any malicious activity.

6. Enable Wireless Security

Securing your Wi-Fi network prevents unauthorized access and improves speed. Here’s how to enable wireless security on Mac:

1. Open your web browser and type in your router’s IP address (usually “192.168.0.1” or “192.168.1.1”) into the address bar. If you’re unsure, check your router’s manual or the label on the device.
2. Log in to the router settings using your router’s username and password. If you haven’t changed it before, it’s likely admin for both fields.
3. Find the Wireless Settings tab. This might be labeled as Wi-Fi or Wireless depending on your router model.
4. Select the Security or Encryption section, then choose WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, which are the most secure options.

5. Create a strong Wi-Fi password. Make sure it includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
6. Save your settings. The router might prompt you to restart for the changes to take effect.
7. Reconnect all devices to your network using the new password.

7. Use Public Google DNS

Switching to a public DNS service, such as Google Public DNS, can improve your internet speed. Here’s how to use a public Google DNS on Mac:

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen and select System Settings.

2. Click Network in the left sidebar.

3. In the Network settings window, click Wi-Fi and tap the Details button next to your active internet connection (usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

4. Click the DNS tab in the Advanced settings window.

5. Click the + button located below the DNS Servers box.

6. Add Google Public DNS addresses one by one:
   • IPv4 addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
   • IPv6 addresses (if your network supports it): 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844
7. If there are existing DNS servers listed, make sure the Google DNS addresses are at the top of the list. You can click and drag the entries to reorder them.
8. Click the OK button in the DNS Servers window to save the changes.

9. Open your web browser and check if your internet speed has improved or if you experience a more stable connection.

8. Reset Wi-Fi Settings

Resetting Wi-Fi settings can be a quick and effective way to resolve connectivity issues on your Mac, including slow internet speeds. Here’s how to reset your Mac’s Wi-Fi settings:

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen and select System Settings.

2. Click Network in the System settings window.

3. Select the type of network connection you want to reset (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, etc.) from the list on the right-hand side of the screen.

4. Click the Details button next to your Wi-Fi network.

5. Select the TCP/IP tab.

6. Tap the Renew DHCP Lease button.

7. Confirm by clicking the Apply button.

8. Click the OK button to save your changes.

Your Mac will now reset the network settings for the selected network connection. After the reset, you may need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network or Ethernet connection.

9. Delete Network Configuration Files

Removing old network files can resolve connectivity problems and improve speeds. Here’s how to delete your Mac’s network configuration files:

1. Launch Finder on your Mac by clicking its icon in the Dock.

2. Click Go in the menu bar and select Go to Folder.

3. In the Go to Folder window, type the following path and press Enter:

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/

4. In the folder that opens, look for files named com.apple.airport.preferences and NetworkInterfaces.plist.

5. Move these files to the Bin.
6. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select Restart.

7. Once your Mac restarts, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, select your Wi-Fi network, and enter your Wi-Fi password to reconnect.

10. Use an Ethernet Cable Instead of Wi-Fi

Switching to a wired Ethernet connection can provide a more stable and faster internet experience. Here’s how to connect an ethernet cable to your Mac:

1. On your Mac, find the Ethernet port, typically located on the side or back of the computer.

2. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on your Mac and the other end into a port on your router or modem.
3. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and toggle it off.

4. Open your web browser and navigate to a website to test your internet connection. You should notice a more stable and faster browsing experience compared to Wi-Fi.
5. Go to System Settings by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
6. Click Network and you should see Ethernet listed in the right sidebar. Make sure it’s green, indicating that it’s connected.

11. Run Wireless Diagnostics

If you’re still experiencing slow internet speeds on your Mac, running network diagnostics can help you identify and fix network-related issues. Follow the steps below to run Wireless Diagnostics on your Mac:

1. Close all active applications and, if possible, connect to your Wi-Fi network.
2. Hold down the Option ⌥ key and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.

3. From there, select Open Wireless Diagnostics.

4. Press Continue to initiate the diagnostics process.

By running network diagnostics, you can quickly identify and fix network-related issues that may be causing slow internet speeds on your Mac.

Surf on a Fast Internet Connection on Mac

Now that you’ve figured out how to fix a slow internet connection on Mac, you’re ready to start surfing without hindrance. Here are a few starting points for you:

• If your Mac isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi, the quickest solution is to use an ethernet cable.
• Sometimes, it’s your Mac that’s slow, not the Wi-Fi. Speed up your Mac for smoother browsing.
• If Safari keeps crashing, the issue is likely with your Mac, not the internet connection. Fix your Mac first.

Frequently Asked Questions