networksetup -listallnetworkservicesList network services before you change anything.
When to use it
Reset network settings when Wi-Fi or Ethernet problems survive restarts and the usual fixes, after removing VPN or proxy software that left settings behind, or when settings behave inconsistently.
Steps
1. Check proxies and DNS
System Settings › Network › your service › Details › Proxies and DNS: turn off proxies you didn't set, remove manual DNS servers.2. Delete and re-add the service
System Settings › Network › select the service › ⋯ › Delete Service. Then ⋯ › Add Service, choose the interface and click Create.3. Start a fresh location
⋯ › Locations › Edit Locations, add a new one and switch to it. A new location starts from defaults without deleting the old one.4. Full reset of the configuration files
Last resort. Move (don't delete) the files so you can restore them, then restart. You'll need to rejoin Wi-Fi networks.sudo mkdir -p /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/old && sudo mv /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/{NetworkInterfaces.plist,preferences.plist,com.apple.airport.preferences.plist} /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/old/5. Restart and reconnect
macOS rebuilds the files with defaults at startup. Join Wi-Fi again and check everything works before deleting the old folder.
Output explained
The files in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ on macOS 15 include:
- NetworkInterfaces.plist: the list of interfaces and their names (en0, en1…).
- preferences.plist: network services, locations, DNS, proxies and IP settings.
- com.apple.airport.preferences.plist: Wi-Fi settings.
Wi-Fi passwords live in the keychain, not in these files, and iCloud Keychain may restore known networks.
Options and variations
| Flag | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| networksetup -listallnetworkservices | Show services | networksetup -listallnetworkservices |
| networksetup -setnetworkserviceenabled SERVICE off|on | Disable or enable a service | networksetup -setnetworkserviceenabled Wi-Fi off |
| networksetup -createlocation NAME populate | New location with default services | sudo networksetup -createlocation Fresh populate |
| networksetup -switchtolocation NAME | Switch locations | networksetup -switchtolocation Fresh |
Common errors
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Problem returns after reset | A VPN, profile or security app re-applies settings | Check Device Management profiles and network extensions. |
| Wi-Fi interface missing after reset | Services not recreated yet | Restart again, or add the Wi-Fi service in Network settings. |
Do it in the app
Once networking is back, LightAtom's connections view confirms apps connect normally again.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Mac have a reset network settings option?
No single button like iPhone's. Delete and re-add the network service, create a new location, or move the SystemConfiguration files and restart for a full reset.
Is it safe to delete the SystemConfiguration files?
Moving the network files (NetworkInterfaces.plist, preferences.plist, com.apple.airport.preferences.plist) is safe; macOS recreates them. Move them rather than delete, so you can restore.
What are network locations on a Mac?
Saved sets of network settings, such as Home and Office, that you can switch between. A new location is a clean way to test default settings.