// NETWORK EMERGENCY

Break glass. Follow in order. Don't skip steps.
Step 1 — Locate the problem
Q
Can everyone else get online?
Ask someone in the house to load a webpage.
→ YES: problem is your Mac, not the router. Keep going.
→ NO: reboot the router (unplug 60 sec). Stop here if that fixes it.
1
Test raw internet connection
Open Terminal and run:
ping -c 4 8.8.8.8
✓ Got replies → Your connection is alive. DNS is broken. Go to Step 2.
✗ Timed out → Deeper issue. Jump to FIX C below.
2
Confirm it's a DNS failure
ping -c 4 google.com
✓ Works → DNS is fine. Something else is wrong. Check Proxies in WiFi settings.
✗ "Unknown host" → DNS is broken. Go to Fix A.
Fixes — try in order
FIX A
Flush the DNS cache (try this first, always)
This resets the macOS DNS resolver. Takes 5 seconds.
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Type your Mac password when prompted (you won't see it typing — that's normal). Hit Enter. No output = good. Then re-run Step 2 ping to confirm.
FIX B
Point DNS at your router instead
System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → DNS tab

Delete whatever is listed. Add your router's IP as the only DNS server:
192.168.1.1
Click OK. Then re-run Step 2 ping to confirm.
→ Still broken? Go to Fix C.
FIX C
Reboot the router
Unplug the router from the wall. Wait a full 60 seconds. Plug back in. Wait 2 minutes for it to fully restart. Then re-run Step 1 and Step 2.
→ Still broken? Go to Fix D.
FIX D
Forget the network and rejoin
System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → Forget This Network

Rejoin with your WiFi password. This forces a completely fresh connection including new DNS config from the router.
→ Still broken? Reboot your Mac entirely, then start over from Step 1.
Your network — quick reference

Verizon home network

Network name Verizon_4B4XYW
Router admin http://192.168.1.1
Your Mac's IP 192.168.1.152
DNS (use this) 192.168.1.1
Hotspot fallback Ron iPhone 15
Why the hotspot might not work: If mDNSResponder (macOS's DNS process) is fully stuck, it stays broken even on a new network. Run Fix A first before switching to the hotspot.
What "mynetworksettings.com" is: A harmless Verizon router branding domain pushed by DHCP. You can't delete it because the router keeps re-sending it. Ignore it.
The 90-second version (memorize this)
ping -c 4 8.8.8.8
works + can't browse → DNS broken → run the flush:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Still broken → set DNS to 192.168.1.1 → reboot router.

fails → reboot router first.