Issue: MacBooks cannot connect to websites using Google Chrome even though the WiFi shows online.  Other users can connect just fine.  Safari even works.



Why Chrome Sometimes Stops Working on Wi-Fi

What You Might See

  • Safari works, but Google Chrome shows “No Internet” or pages never load.

  • Disconnecting and reconnecting helps for a short time, then it happens again.

What’s Really Happening

Apple devices have a feature called Private Wi-Fi Address (also called MAC Address Randomization).
When this is turned on, the device changes its Wi-Fi ID every time it joins the network.
That’s great for privacy on public Wi-Fi, but it causes trouble on our school network, which needs a consistent device ID to apply web-filter and security rules.

When the address changes:

  • Our network sees your laptop as a new device.

  • Safari (which uses Apple’s built-in system connection) usually keeps working.

  • Chrome (which runs its own connection checks) can lose the secure session and stop loading pages.

In Simpler Terms

Your computer is using a different “name tag” every time it connects to Wi-Fi.
Safari doesn’t mind, but Chrome expects the same tag.
When they don’t match, the network filter gets confused and blocks Chrome’s traffic.

What IT Is Doing

We’re updating all staff Macs with a new Wi-Fi profile that turns off the Private Wi-Fi Address feature for our staff network.
This will:

  • Keep your connection stable

  • Prevent Chrome from losing Internet access

  • Stop repeated network logouts

What You Can Do

  • No action is needed if you’re on a school-managed device — the update will apply automatically after hours.