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How to fix macOS 'Your network settings have changed' or Wi-Fi disconnects when using a VPN

macOS KB-630

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix macOS 'Your network settings have changed' or Wi-Fi disconnects when using a VPN. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

If your Mac drops its Wi-Fi connection or displays a “Your network settings have changed” alert every time you connect to a VPN, you are not alone. This issue is common on macOS and is typically caused by the VPN client modifying DNS settings, routing tables, or network service order. The steps below will help you identify the cause and restore a stable connection.

Quick Fix Steps

Try these steps in order. Most users will resolve the issue by step 2 or 3.

  1. Restart your Mac — this clears temporary network state.
  2. Update macOS — go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates.
  3. Update your VPN client — check the VPN provider’s website for the latest version compatible with your macOS release.
  4. Forget and rejoin your Wi-Fi network — see the detailed steps below.

Detailed Instructions

1. Remove and Re-add Your Wi-Fi Network

A corrupted saved network profile can conflict with VPN DNS changes.

  1. Open System Settings and select Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Details… next to your connected network.
  3. Click Forget This Network…, then confirm.
  4. Turn Wi-Fi off and back on using the toggle.
  5. Select your network from the list, enter the password, and reconnect.

2. Reset Network Service Order

macOS prioritises network services in a specific order. If the VPN creates a new service that outranks Wi-Fi, disconnects can occur.

  1. Open System Settings and go to Network.
  2. Click the … (ellipsis) button at the bottom of the service list and choose Set Service Order….
  3. Drag Wi-Fi to the top of the list, above any VPN or Ethernet entries.
  4. Click OK, then click Apply if prompted.

3. Renew DHCP Lease

Renewing the lease forces macOS to request fresh network settings from your router.

  1. Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Details… next to your network.
  3. Select TCP/IP from the sidebar.
  4. Click Renew DHCP Lease.
  5. Click OK and test your VPN connection.

4. Disable IPv6 on Your Wi-Fi Interface

Some VPN clients do not handle IPv6 traffic correctly, causing the network settings alert.

  1. Open System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details….
  2. Select TCP/IP.
  3. Set Configure IPv6 to Link-local only.
  4. Click OK and reconnect to your VPN.

5. Remove Stale VPN Configurations

Old or duplicate VPN profiles can interfere with your current client.

  1. Go to System Settings > VPN.
  2. Review the list of VPN configurations.
  3. Select any profile you no longer use and click the – (minus) button to remove it.
  4. Restart your Mac and test the VPN again.

Troubleshooting

Check VPN Client DNS Settings

Many VPN clients have an option to force all DNS traffic through the tunnel. If your local network uses a custom DNS server, this can cause the “network settings changed” message.

  • Open your VPN client’s Preferences or Settings.
  • Look for a setting such as DNS leak protection, Force DNS, or Use VPN DNS.
  • Temporarily disable this option and test your connection.
  • If the issue stops, you may need to configure your router’s DNS or use the VPN provider’s recommended DNS servers.

Test with a Different VPN Protocol

Some protocols (especially IKEv2 and older OpenVPN configurations) are more likely to trigger network changes on macOS.

  1. Open your VPN client and locate the Protocol setting.
  2. Switch to WireGuard if available, or try OpenVPN (UDP).
  3. Reconnect and monitor for the alert or Wi-Fi drop.

Check for Conflicting Network Extensions

Third-party firewall, antivirus, or network monitoring tools can inject network extensions that conflict with VPN clients.

  1. Open System Settings > General > Login Items.
  2. Review the Allow in the Background section.
  3. Temporarily disable any non-essential network-related items.
  4. Restart your Mac and test the VPN.
Important: Do not delete system network configuration files (such as /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist) unless instructed by a support professional. Incorrect edits can disable all networking on your Mac.

Reset macOS Network Settings Completely

If none of the above steps work, you can reset all network settings without reinstalling macOS.

  1. Open Finder and press Shift + Command + G.
  2. Enter the following path and press Return:

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/

  1. Select the following files and move them to your Desktop as a backup:
  • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
  • com.apple.network.identification.plist
  • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
  • NetworkInterfaces.plist
  • preferences.plist
  1. Restart your Mac.
  2. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and reconfigure your VPN.
Tip: Keep the backup files on your Desktop for a week. If everything works, you can delete them. If a new issue appears, move them back to the original folder and restart.

Preventative Measures

  • Keep macOS and your VPN client updated to the latest versions.
  • Avoid using multiple VPN clients simultaneously.
  • If your router supports it, use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band for more stable throughput while on VPN.
  • Consider using a wired Ethernet connection for long VPN sessions if Wi-Fi instability persists.

If you continue to experience Wi-Fi disconnects or network setting alerts after completing these steps, please Open a Ticket with our support team. Include the macOS version, VPN client name and version, and a description of when the issue occurs.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

đź’» Open a Ticket

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