How to forget Wi-Fi network on MacBook Air

Clearing old or problematic Wi-Fi networks from your MacBook Air’s memory is a simple yet essential troubleshooting step. This guide provides easy steps to help you forget unwanted networks and enjoy a smoother browsing experience.

Discover the magical secret to erasing Wi-Fi networks from your MacBook Air!

Forgetting a Wi-Fi network on your MacBook Air is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to remove a saved network:

1. Open System Preferences:
   • Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
2. Access Network Preferences:
   • Within System Preferences, locate and click on “Network.” This will open the Network preferences window.
3. Select Wi-Fi:
   • In the left-hand sidebar, make sure that “Wi-Fi” is selected. This will display the available Wi-Fi networks on the right.
4. Open Advanced Settings:
   • Click on the “Advanced…” button located in the bottom-right corner of the Wi-Fi settings window.
5. View Preferred Networks:
   • A list of all the Wi-Fi networks your MacBook Air has connected to will appear. These are the preferred networks your device automatically connects to when in range.
6. Select the Network to Forget:
   • From the list, find the Wi-Fi network you want to forget and click on it to highlight it.
7. Click on the Minus (-) Button:
   • With the network selected, click on the minus (-) button below the list of preferred networks. This will remove the network from the list.
8. Confirm Removal:
   • A confirmation prompt will appear. Click “Remove” to confirm that you want to forget this network.
9. Close Preferences:
   • After removing the network, click “OK” to close the Advanced settings window.
10. Apply Changes:
    • Back in the Network preferences window, click “Apply” to save the changes.

By following these steps, you have successfully forgotten the selected Wi-Fi network. Your MacBook Air will no longer automatically connect to this network in the future. This can be particularly useful for removing old or problematic networks from your preferred list, ensuring a smoother and more reliable Wi-Fi experience.

Are there any visual indicators that show which network is selected?

Yes, on a MacBook, there are visual indicators that show which network is selected. In the menu bar at the top-right corner of the screen, you’ll find the Wi-Fi icon, which looks like a series of concentric arcs. When you click on this icon, a dropdown menu will appear, displaying a list of available Wi-Fi networks. The currently selected network will have a checkmark next to its name. This visual indicator makes it easy to identify which network your MacBook is currently connected to.

Additionally, if you’re using macOS Big Sur or later, there is a new feature called “Control Center” which consolidates various system controls into one panel. You can access it by clicking the Control Center icon in the menu bar, which looks like a series of sliders. In the Control Center, you’ll find the Wi-Fi control, which displays the currently connected network name. This provides another visual confirmation of the selected network.

After successfully removing the network, how do I close the Wi-Fi settings window?

After successfully removing the network from your MacBook Air’s preferred list, you can close the Wi-Fi settings window by clicking on the red “Close” button located in the top-left corner of the Network preferences window. This button is typically represented by a small circle with an “x” inside. Clicking on it will close the Network preferences window and return you to the main System Preferences menu. Alternatively, you can also press the keyboard shortcut “Command (⌘) + W” to close the active window. This shortcut is a quick and convenient way to close the Wi-Fi settings window after you have completed the process of removing the unwanted network.

It’s important to note that closing the Wi-Fi settings window after removing the network does not apply or save the changes immediately. To ensure that the changes are applied, you’ll need to click on the “Apply” button at the bottom-right corner of the Network preferences window. This will save the modifications you’ve made, including the removal of the selected network from your preferred list. Once you’ve clicked “Apply,” you can then close the Network preferences window using the methods mentioned above. This two-step process ensures that your changes are properly saved and implemented.