Client Connect Issues After macOS Update

We've recently had reports of connection issues after a macOS update on a TimeClock Server computer. This problem, as well as the fix, turns out to be straightforward and simple.

Apple recently began automatically enabling the wireless network feature (Wi-Fi) while installing macOS updates. If your Virtual TimeClock Server was using a wired connection, each time the Mac restarts, it may use the newly enabled WiFi connection instead of the wired connection. When this happens, Virtual TimeClock clients will not be able to locate the TimeClock Server, even though it is running.

To resolve this issue, you need to simply turn off WiFi on the TimeClock Server Mac and restart the Mac.

A little deeper explanation
When a Macintosh computer using a wired network connection receives a macOS update, Apple now turns on WiFI and creates two networking options: wired or wireless. If a Virtual TimeClock Server using a wired connection starts using the WiFi network it will get a new IP address. The static IP that you were using on your wired network enabled your clients to find the server. Since the server is using a new Wifi address, the clients will be unable to connect. Because the choice of network is made at computer startup, the TimeClock Server can appear to start or stop 'working' (allow client connections) anytime the computer is restarted.

Is there a more permanent solution?
You cannot prevent Apple from enabling Wifi during updates, but you can tell Wifi not to give out any new addresses by disabling the IPv4 settings for the Wi-Fi adapter. So even if the Wi-Fi adapter is turned on, the lack of an IP address will prevent programs from trying to connect using WiFi.

Use the following steps to configure your Wi-Fi adapter to prevent Wi-Fi connections:

macOS 13 and Newer (Ventura & Sonoma)

1. Select System Settings from the Apple menu and choose Wi-Fi.
2. Select Details... found below the Wi-Fi on/off button.
3. Select TCP/IP from the list on the left side of the window.
4. In the Configure IPv4 box select Off from the configure options on the right-hand side.

macOS 12 and Older

1. Select System Preferences from the Apple menu and choose Network.
2. Select Wi-Fi from the list on the left side of the window then select Advanced found on the bottom right corner.
3. Select TCP/IP from the tabs along the top.
4. In the Configure IPv4 settings select Off from the configure options.

Once you have configured your IPv4 settings to Off, even if the the Wi-Fi is enabled you will not be assigned an IP address by the router and will your background service will not be interrupted.

Have more questions, or need assistance with with your TimeClock Server? Contact us. We're here to help!