How can I restore Wi-Fi in Network Preferences on my old iMac?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How can I restore Wi-Fi in Network Preferences on my old iMac?

Accidently deleted Wi-Fi from the side bar in Network preferences. I have reinstalled OS X El Capitan on my old IMac 2009 or 10, however still have no wifi showing in side bar of Network Preferences, I only have Ethernet, FireWire and Bluetooth PAN.

when I click the plus button, wifi is not an option in the interface list.

when I choose assist me and select network diagnostics, Wi-Fi is greyed out in the choose network port configuration step.

i also have no Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.

I have placed the machine into safe mode and no Wi-Fi preferences there either.

[Edited by Moderator]

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Jun 9, 2025 1:37 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 9, 2025 6:46 AM in response to Carmen_12_

Have you tried creating a new location and adding wi-fi to that?

Also, try creating a new Mac user account and see if that includes a wi-fi connection. If it does not, then it may be the wi-fi card is failing/failed.

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Answer 2

Carmen_12_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 10, 2025 2:10 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

Thanks for the reply D.I Johnson.

Yes have tried both those options.

One thing I didn’t mention was the reason I deleted the WiFi from the side bar in network preferences was that it was showing wifi was turned off. I was searching ways to turn it back on as clicking the turn on option wasn’t working. Hence I was following some instructions, but once deleted I couldn’t get it back so did a complete erase and reinstalled OS.

Would deleting WiFi prior to doing all this have caused an issue?

Next question - how hard is it to replace wifi card and is it worth the trouble?

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