MacBook Air Won’t Connect to Hotel WiFi? – Here’s How to Fix

Kevin Wood Updated on
macbook air won't connect to hotel wifi

MacBook Air won’t connect to hotel wifi is one of the most frustrating errors you will encounter when using your MacBook.

The experience with your MacBook is all fun until you want to use a public Wifi connection. 

It is very common for MacBooks to refuse to connect to the hotel or even airplane wifi. Thankfully, we have just the right solution.

To solve the problem MacBook won’t connect to hotel wifi, you have to update your DNS address. 

To do this, go to your System Preferences and choose your DNS. Delete the old DNS you were using under the available DNS option. 

This will allow your PC to pick the DNS for the hotel. Further, you can solve Mac not connecting to Wifi through the internal diagnosis mechanism.

To use these and other proven solutions, keep on reading.

Reasons Why MacBooks Fail to Connect to Hotel Wifi

macbooks fail to connect

If you can’t connect to hotel wifi, MacBook DNS could be at the center of it all.

You should first try to solve the DNS problem before looking at other issues.

The other common issues that may arise include:

  • Internal bugs that can be removed by wireless diagnostics
  • System freeze that can be solved by power cycling
  • A system error that affects Non-Volatile Random-Access-Memory
  • Hardware problems affecting either Wifi router or computer

Solutions to MacBook Air Won’t Connect to Hotel Wifi

solutions to macbook air not connecting

You can solve all the above problems in a flash and reconnect to the internet.

If your Mac won’t connect to hotel wifi, all you have to ensure is that it is Wifi ready by diagnosis. 

Use the following diagnostic steps to find the problems and resolve them accordingly.

Solution #1 Use the Internal Diagnostic System

Start by carrying out internal system diagnosis. This is a feature provided by MacBook to diagnose and resolve errors.

This option can resolve common problems resulting from Wifi settings, Wifi range, and others. What you have to do is launch the wireless diagnostic system and let it find the problem.

open wireless diagnostic

Once the problem is detected, the system will also find the recommended solutions.

You can apply the solutions directly or you may do it manually.

Here are the steps for internal diagnosis

  1. Press and hold down the Option key 
  2. Click on the Wireless icon shown as a WiFi symbol in the status menu
  3. Select Open Wireless Diagnostic on the dropdown menu
  4. Select Continue for the system to run diagnostics and give it a few minutes
  5. Once complete, a report showing the problem recommendations will be displayed
  6. If the system cannot detect the problem, move on to the next steps.

Solution #2 Reset NVRAM/PRAM and the SMC

Non-Volatile Random-Access-Memory(NVRAM) and the Parameter Random-Access-Memory(PRAM) are internal components of your Mac. 

These types of memory hold key functional data that is used to maintain and run processes even when your laptop is off. 

reset nvram

While these types of memory are good for the continued performance of your laptop, they can also result in bugs. 

If you are experiencing trouble connecting to wireless networks, resetting NVRAM and PRAM can help.

How to reset NVRAM/PRAM

  1. Turn off your Computer and Start it again
  2. On hearing Startup Chime, simultaneously hold the Shift+Control+Options keys with the Power Button
  3. Hold these keys for at least 10 seconds to reset NVRAM
  4. Wait for the Startup Chime again and immediately press the Command+Option+P+R keys together
  5. This will reset your PRAM

With that, your MacBook should have cleared any bugs that could be affecting the connection to the hotel wifi.

Try connecting to the internet to see if it works.

Solution #3 Update Network DNS on MacBook

The Domain Name System (DNS) functions to translate human-relatable domain names such as Google.com to numbers such as 192.30.6.

update macbook dns

The MacBook has tendencies of encountering DNS configuration problems.

When you use your home wifi, the system is set to a specific DNS. This can cause a problem when connecting the hotel network.

To solve this problem, you have to reset your DNS. Below are the steps to update DNS on your MacBook.

  1. Click on the Apple Menu 
  2. Select System Preferences
  3. Select Network
  4. Click Choose Advanced
  5. Navigate to DNS Tab
  6. Delete the DNS addresses you were using under the list of available DNS servers
  7. Click Ok to reload your web pages 
  8. The login page for your hotel or any Wifi should show up
  9. Fill in the appropriate credentials and click Ok to complete the process
Note: This process allows your computer to only have access to the hotel wifi server. 

You may have to undergo the same process when you return home. 

Solution #4 Power Cycle Your MacBook

macbook powercycle

Power cycling is a process where you allow an electronic device to completely shut off by disconnecting from power. 

The problem with laptops is that they retain some power even when disconnected from the source.

For this reason, the background process can be retained for hours or even days.

To close all processes so that your laptop can start afresh, carry out power cycling.

Here are the steps to power cycle your phone

  1. Turn off your MacBook
  2. Disconnect your laptop from the power source and remove the battery
  3. Press and hold the Power Button for about 10 seconds
  4. Alternatively press and hold Shift+Control+Option and the Power Button for about 10 seconds.
check macbook air

This should help drain your Mac system of any retained power and hence end the background process.

When you start your computer, it should have released any bugs and connect to the internet easily.

Tip: If your laptop does not use a removable battery, use solution #2 above.

Solution #5 Inspect Physical Hardware for Damages

Computer or router hardware could be at the heart of the problem. When we encounter connection problems, we think about software solutions. 

While diagnosing your system can help, make sure you start with your hardware.

check hardware

Routine hardware checks you should make

  1. Check to ensure that your router is connected to the power source
  2. Check connection points between your computer and router to ensure that cables are fitting well
  3. Try turning off your router and back on if it is at an accessible point
Tip: The best way to turn off your router is by unplugging it from the power source. 

Give it a few minutes, plug it back, and try accessing the internet.

Solution #6 Update Your MacBook’s Operating System

Your MacBook will have internet connection problems if it is outdated.

If you have not connected to the internet with your MacBook for a while, update the operating system. For this to happen, you will have to connect to the internet.

Instead of connecting using a Wifi, you may connect to the internet using your cable. 

update macbook os

You may also use your phone’s hotspot to update the system. 

Once the system is updated, you can check to see if the MacBook accepts hotel Wifi.

How to update your MacBook

  1. If you bought your MacBook after 2017 here are the steps
  2. In the top right corner of the screen click on the Apple Icon
  3. You will open a Drop Down Menu and click on Check for Updates
  4. Click on System Preferences or About This Mac
  5. Click Software Update

Wait for a few minutes until your Mac connects to the internet and check for updates.

If an update is available, you will see a prompt on the screen to update. Simply click on Update Now to proceed.

Summary

There are a few diagnostic options to solve  MacBook air won’t connect to hotel wifi. 

Among these solutions include an update to your DNS. You can also help your MacBook air connect to the internet by updating its operating system.

Read Next: Why Won’t My Mac Connect to Starbucks WiFi? Fix Guide