Why is MacBook connecting to network with weaker signal despite stronger (other) network being available?

Question

I can connect to different networks depending on where in the building I am. Some are stronger than others depending on where I am.

The MacBook has credentials for all networks.

Often it chooses a weaker one and sometimes fails entirely without bothering to autoconnect to another one that does still have signal.

Why does it do this and how can I stop it from happening?

Solar Mike · Accepted Answer · 2023-05-25 12:14:00Z

2

Your Mac is joining networks based on its list in System preferences: Networks : Advanced,

So change the preferred order by dragging the ones you want to the top:

answered May 25, 2023 at 12:14

Solar Mike

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1

Note: this setting will be shared to your iPhone/iPads too.
– Tetsujin
Commented May 25, 2023 at 12:21
And then this will need to be changed each time you change location.
– Thinkr
Commented May 25, 2023 at 14:28
@Thinkr not really, my macbook pro picks up my home network or my work network quite happily - I never have to change it...
– Solar Mike
Commented May 25, 2023 at 14:47
Ok, I thought you would need to change each time. ;)
– Thinkr
Commented May 25, 2023 at 14:58
Ah interesting, I thought iOS/MacOS was doing something clever to connect to the strongest/fastest network as appropriate.
– adolf garlic
Commented May 30, 2023 at 9:27

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