Having slow internet on macOS Catalina can be frustrating. In this article, I will provide troubleshooting tips to help you resolve this issue efficiently.
Restart Your Mac and Router
To restart your Mac, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “Restart” from the drop-down menu.
3. Wait for your Mac to shut down and then turn back on.
Once your Mac has restarted, you can proceed to restart your router. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Locate your router and find the power cable.
2. Unplug the power cable from the router.
3. Wait for about 30 seconds.
4. Plug the power cable back into the router.
5. Wait for the router to fully power on and establish a connection.
By restarting both your Mac and router, you are refreshing their settings and clearing any temporary glitches that may be causing slow internet. This can help to improve your overall connection speed.
If restarting your devices does not resolve the issue, you may want to consider other troubleshooting steps such as checking for software updates, running a malware scan with a reputable tool like Malwarebytes, or contacting your internet service provider for further assistance.
Update Browser and macOS
To troubleshoot slow internet on macOS Catalina, it is important to ensure that your browser and macOS are up to date. Outdated software can lead to compatibility issues and slower internet speeds.
First, update your browser to the latest version. Open your browser and click on the menu button in the top right corner. From there, select “About [browser name]” and it will check for updates. If there is an update available, follow the prompts to install it.
Next, update your macOS to the latest version. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner and select “System Preferences.” Then, click on “Software Update” and it will check for any available updates. If there is an update available, click on “Update Now” and follow the instructions to install it.
Updating both your browser and macOS can help improve internet performance by ensuring that you have the latest features and bug fixes. This can resolve any compatibility issues that may be causing slow internet speeds.
If you continue to experience slow internet after updating, there may be other factors contributing to the issue. Consider checking for malware on your MacBook Pro using a trusted antivirus software like Malwarebytes. Malware can slow down your internet connection and compromise your security.
Additionally, check your internet connection and ensure that you are connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network. If you are using a desktop computer, try connecting to the internet using an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.
If the issue persists, contact your internet service provider (ISP) such as Xfinity or Comcast to check if there are any known outages or network problems in your area. They may be able to provide further assistance and diagnose the issue.
Optimize and Clean Your Browser
Optimizing and cleaning your browser can significantly improve your internet speed on macOS Catalina. Here are some direct instructions to help you troubleshoot slow internet:
1. Clear your browser cache and cookies: Over time, your browser stores temporary files and cookies that can slow down your internet speed. To clear them, go to your browser settings and clear the cache and cookies.
2. Disable browser extensions: Some browser extensions can consume a lot of resources and slow down your browsing speed. Disable or remove any unnecessary extensions by going to your browser’s settings and managing your extensions.
3. Update your browser: Outdated browser versions may have performance issues. Make sure you have the latest version installed by checking for updates in your browser’s settings or visiting the official website of your browser.
4. Reset your browser settings: If you are experiencing persistent slow internet, resetting your browser to its default settings can help. Look for the option to reset your browser settings in the settings menu.
5. Use a different browser: If your current browser still doesn’t perform well, try using an alternative browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. Sometimes, a different browser can provide better internet speeds.
Remember, these instructions are specifically for optimizing and cleaning your browser. If you are still experiencing slow internet after following these steps, it may be worth checking other factors such as your Wi-Fi connection, router, or contacting your internet service provider.
Check for Corrupt Browser Extensions
- Disable all browser extensions.
- Restart your browser and check if the internet speed improves.
- If the issue persists, enable each extension one by one and test the internet speed after enabling each extension.
- If you notice a significant drop in speed after enabling a specific extension, uninstall or disable that extension.
- Keep only the essential and trustworthy extensions enabled.
- Regularly update your extensions to ensure compatibility with the latest browser versions.
- Consider using alternative extensions or seeking support from the extension developer if the problem persists.
Switch Web Browsers or Use Ethernet
Switching web browsers or using Ethernet can help troubleshoot slow internet issues on macOS Catalina.
If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds on your MacBook or MacBook Pro running macOS Catalina, it may be worth considering switching web browsers or using Ethernet to improve your connection.
Switching web browsers: Sometimes, the web browser you’re using can have an impact on your internet speed. Different browsers may have different performance levels, so it’s worth trying out a different one to see if it makes a difference. Popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari are all good options to consider.
Using Ethernet: If you’re currently using Wi-Fi to connect to the internet, switching to a wired Ethernet connection can provide a more stable and faster connection. To do this, simply connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to your router or modem. This can be especially helpful if you’re experiencing slow speeds or frequent disconnections on Wi-Fi.
Remember to always check for any updates for your web browser or macOS Catalina, as these updates may include performance improvements that can help resolve slow internet issues.
If you’re still experiencing slow internet after trying these troubleshooting steps, it may be worth reaching out to your internet service provider (ISP) for further assistance. They may be able to diagnose any network issues and provide specific recommendations for improving your connection speed.
Create a New Network Location
1. Open the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
2. Click on “Network.”
3. In the left-hand column, select the network interface you want to create a new location for (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Click on the gear icon at the bottom of the list and choose “Duplicate Service.”
5. Rename the duplicated service to something descriptive (e.g., “New Location”).
6. Make sure the duplicated service is selected in the left-hand column.
7. Click on the “Advanced” button.
8. In the “TCP/IP” tab, click on the “Renew DHCP Lease” button.
9. If you have specific DNS settings, enter them in the “DNS” tab.
10. Click “OK” to save the changes.
11. Close the “Network” preferences window.
Creating a new network location can help troubleshoot slow internet issues on macOS Catalina. It allows you to start fresh with network settings, which can sometimes resolve connectivity problems. If you’re experiencing slow internet, this is a useful step to try before delving into more complex troubleshooting methods.
Remove and Reset Wi-Fi Network
To remove and reset your Wi-Fi network on macOS Catalina, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top right corner of your screen.
2. In the drop-down menu, select “Open Network Preferences.”
3. In the Network Preferences window, select the Wi-Fi option on the left-hand side.
4. Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom right corner of the window.
5. In the new window, select the “Wi-Fi” tab.
6. Find your Wi-Fi network in the list of preferred networks and select it.
7. Click on the “-” button below the list to remove the network.
8. Confirm the removal by clicking on the “Remove” button.
9. Click on the “OK” button to close the Wi-Fi settings window.
10. Restart your Mac.
After restarting, you can reset your Wi-Fi network by following these steps:
1. Go back to the Network Preferences window by clicking on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and selecting “Open Network Preferences.”
2. Select the Wi-Fi option on the left-hand side.
3. Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom right corner.
4. In the new window, select the “Wi-Fi” tab.
5. Click on the “+” button below the list of preferred networks.
6. Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network and any required password or security information.
7. Click on the “OK” button to save the settings.
8. Close the Network Preferences window.
By removing and resetting your Wi-Fi network, you can troubleshoot slow internet issues on macOS Catalina. If the problem persists, you may want to consider other troubleshooting steps or seek assistance from an internet forum or Apple support.
FAQ
How can I make Catalina faster?
To make Catalina faster, you can stop applications from launching at startup, remove unnecessary launch agents, close excessive tabs, optimize Spotlight, update applications, regularly shut down your Mac, and consider adding more RAM.
Why is my Mac internet so slow all of a sudden Big Sur?
Your Mac internet may be slow all of a sudden in Big Sur due to network settings issues. Try resetting your Mac’s network settings. Additionally, deleting network configuration files can help. Another factor to consider is VPN services, which can slow down your internet. Turn off VPN services by going to System Settings > VPN and setting the toggle to the off position.
Why is my internet so slow on my Mac only?
Your internet on your Mac may be slow due to limited available memory. Running multiple applications or having numerous browser tabs open can strain system resources. Try closing unnecessary applications and browser tabs to free up memory. Additionally, consider checking if your Mac needs more RAM.
Why is my macbook Catalina so slow?
Your MacBook Catalina may be running slow due to insufficient free disk space on the startup disk. To improve its performance, consider moving files to another disk or external storage device and deleting unnecessary files on the startup disk.
