Use the hidden Wireless Diagnostics app — via Apple Support

Tricklow riskmacOS 14 Sonoma and later

macOS includes a Wi-Fi troubleshooting app that's only reachable from a hidden menu item. It checks your connection, lists problems with suggested fixes, and saves a report you can hand to your ISP or IT support. It doesn't change your settings.

Takes effect right away

How to do it

  1. Quit open apps and join the Wi-Fi network that's giving you trouble.
  2. Hold Option, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, and choose Open Wireless Diagnostics.
  3. Follow the on-screen steps. When it finishes, click the Info buttons in the Summary for details.
  4. The report is saved in /var/tmp as a file starting with WirelessDiagnostics (Finder: Go > Go to Folder, type /var/tmp).

Sources

Source reviewed
2026-11-02
Link checked
2026-11-02
Tested hands-on
Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every macOS version, so keep the undo handy.

wi-fiwireless diagnosticstroubleshootslow wifidropping connection

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