MacOS 15.X (Sequoia) Network Issues

Many users have reported that macOS Sequoia exhibits sluggish performance and network connectivity issues, particularly when using VPNs and Microsoft 365 services. This is a guide to help resolve these problems.

Common Issues:

• Sluggish performance across the system.
• Inability to access Microsoft 365 environments, such as:
  • SharePoint not loading.
  • OneDrive frequently asking for login credentials.
  • DNS resolution failures, causing sites to not load.
  • Microsoft Teams refusing to connect to meetings.
  • Browser versions of Office apps (Word, Excel) not functioning properly.
• VPNs disconnect after staying connected for a few minutes.

Uninstall VPN Software (If Not Needed)

If you use a VPN to surf the web, it could interfere with network performance in macOS Sequoia:

1. Uninstall the VPN software temporarily.
   • You can wait for Apple to release an update for macOS Sequoia.
2. Check if this resolves the issue, especially if you experience better connectivity without the VPN.

Disable Firewall for VPN Stability

In some cases, VPN connections (such as the SEMO RDP VPN) may drop after staying connected for a few minutes. One solution that has worked is disabling the firewall:

1. Go to macOS Firewall settings under System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall.
2. Turn off the firewall and reconnect to the VPN.
3. Check if the connection remains stable. This has resolved disconnect issues for many users at the university.
4. Don't forget to turn the Firewall back on once you're done using the VPN for security.

VPN Issues for Consultants

Consultants working with the university may run into issues connecting to our VPNs if their employer restricts the use of external VPNs:

1. Check with your employer's IT department about VPN restrictions.
2. If restrictions exist, ask if they can allow connections to our university VPNs, or explore alternatives such as split tunneling, which may allow you to connect to both networks simultaneously.

Disconnect Wired Ethernet Cable

When connected to both Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet simultaneously, macOS Sequoia can show degraded network performance:

1. Unplug the Ethernet cable and test network performance.
2. Users have reported that this step greatly improves stability. While it's a bug, it may serve as a temporary workaround until Apple fixes this issue.

Adjust Private Wi-Fi Address Settings

macOS offers a feature to randomize your Wi-Fi MAC address for privacy, but this can lead to frequent disconnects on trusted networks:

1. Go to Wi-Fi settings and set the Private Wi-Fi address to either "fixed" or "off."
2. Consider turning off this feature completely if you rarely use public Wi-Fi.

While macOS Sequoia seems to have network-related bugs, the steps above may help restore your system’s performance. Until Apple releases a comprehensive fix, these workarounds can help maintain a stable connection.

If you're experiencing persistent issues, you can check for updates or join online discussions for potential new solutions. Searching for "Intermittent Internet Connection Sequoia" may bring up similar reports and tips from other users.

If you have any additional questions regarding this article, or experiencing the issues described and the recommended steps did not help, contact the IT Help Desk at 573.651.4357 or at helpdesk@semo.edu.