Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Not Working After Using OpenCore Legacy Patcher? Here’s the Fix

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Introduction: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Fix After Using OpenCore Legacy Patcher

There is nothing quite like the feeling of successfully installing macOS Sonoma or Sequoia on an unsupported Mac. The interface is fresh, the features are new, and your vintage hardware feels modern again. That is, until you realise you are offline.

One of the most common panic moments for OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) users is booting up to find the Wi-Fi icon greyed out with a slash through it, or discovering that your Bluetooth mouse refuses to connect. If you are searching for a solution to Mac Wi-Fi not working in OCLP scenarios, you have come to the right place.

While OCLP works miracles, it cannot change the fact that Apple has physically removed the drivers for older wireless cards in modern macOS versions. This leads to network problems that old Mac users face immediately after installation. In this guide, we will troubleshoot the root causes, apply the necessary Broadcom WiFi driver fix, and help you resolve every Bluetooth issue OCLP Mac users encounter.

Why Do Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Fail on Patched Macs?

To fix the problem, you first need to understand why it happens. It is rarely a bug in the patcher itself; rather, it is a deliberate decision by Apple.

Starting with macOS Sonoma, Apple completely removed support for the Broadcom Wi-Fi cards used in most Macs from 2012 to 2017 (specifically the BCM94360 and BCM943602 chipsets). In previous versions, such as Monterey or Ventura, the drivers were still hidden in the code. In Sonoma and Sequoia, they are gone.

This means that without a specific legacy network patch, your hardware is invisible to the operating system. OCLP bridges this gap by injecting the missing IOSkywalkFamily kext (kernel extension) and blocking the modern, incompatible drivers. If this delicate operation fails or is interrupted, you are left with a macOS-patched Wi-Fi issue.

Solution 1: Apply the Post-Install Root Patch (Crucial Step)

The vast majority of connectivity issues stem from one simple oversight: failing to run the root patches after the OS installation or an update.

The “Magic” Button

Connect your Mac to the internet via Ethernet (cable) or use USB Tethering from your iPhone (plug your phone in via USB, go to iPhone Settings > Personal Hotspot > Allow Others to Join).
Open the OpenCore Legacy Patcher app.
Look at the main menu. It should say “Root Patching Available.
Click Post-Install Root Patch.
Click Start Root Patching.
The app detects which Broadcom WiFi driver your model needs.
Restart immediately when prompted.

After the reboot, the system should load the injected drivers, and your Wi-Fi icon should return to normal.

Solution 2: Fix the “Fennel” Chipset Issue in Sonoma

On Sonoma or newer, 2012–2013 Macs can face the aggressive new networking stack—known as the ‘Fennel’ issue.

The IOSkywalk Strategy

OCLP uses a method called “IOSkywalk” to restore functionality. However, this patch is sensitive to Secure Boot.

Check SIP Settings: If you manually enabled SIP (System Integrity Protection) or Secure Boot to run banking apps, you might have broken the OCLP wireless patch.
Rebuild Config: Go to OCLP Settings > Security and ensure “System Integrity Protection” is set to the default managed by OCLP (usually partially disabled).
Reflash: Click “Build and Install OpenCore” again to refresh the EFI partition with the correct security relaxations needed for the legacy network patch to load.

Solution 3: Solving Bluetooth Availability Issues

If your Bluetooth shows ‘Not Available,’ it is usually because Bluetooth and Wi-Fi share a bus; when one fails, the other often does too.

The Bluetooth Reset

Delete the Plist: Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, and go to /Library/Preferences/. Delete com.apple.Bluetooth.plist.
Reset the Module: (For macOS Monterey and older) Hold Shift + Option and click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. Select “Reset the Bluetooth module.”
USB Map Fix: If Bluetooth is entirely missing from the System Report, your USB mapping might be wrong. Open OCLP settings, uncheck the USB mapping patch (if present), or force a re-patch of the USB bus.

Solution 4: Fix Wireless on Patched Mac After an Update

If your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth suddenly stopped working after updating from macOS 14.1 to 14.2, you need to reapply the OCLP root patches. This is a standard part of the update process and restores your drivers.

The Update Cycle Rule

Every time macOS updates, it overwrites the System folder. This deletes the OCLP-installed hacked Wi-Fi drivers.

Step 1: Do not panic.
Step 2: Plug in your Ethernet cable or enable iPhone USB tethering.
Step 3: Open the OCLP app. It should auto-detect that the Broadcom WiFi driver fix is missing.
Step 4: Re-run the Post-Install Root Patch.
Step 5: Reboot.

Pro Tip: Before updating macOS, ensure you have the latest version of the OCLP app installed. Open OCLP, check for updates, and install any available updates. This ensures the patcher is ready for the new macOS version and can reapply network patches after the system update.

Why Do Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Fail on Patched Macs

Solution 5: NVRAM Reset for Stubborn Connections

Sometimes the hardware is recognised, but it refuses to connect to any network. This “failure to negotiate” can often persist in the Non-Volatile RAM.

Clearing the RAM

Shut down your Mac.
Power it on and immediately hold Command + Option + P + R.
Hold until the Mac restarts a second time.
This clears saved network configurations and forces the OS to re-scan the hardware, which can resolve deep-seated network problems that old Mac systems develop.

Solution 6: Hardware Upgrades (The Permanent Fix)

If you are tired of relying on software patches that break with every update, you can physically upgrade the Wi-Fi card in many older Macs (especially 2013–2015 models).

The Fenvi / Broadcom Upgrade

You can swap your original card for a BCM94360NG or similar card that has native support (or better support) in newer macOS versions.

These cards usually need fewer patches and can make Airdrop and Continuity more stable.
Note: This requires opening your Mac, but it is the ultimate OCLP Mac connectivity fix for power users.

Solution 7: Using USB Wi-Fi Dongles

If the macOS-patched WiFi issue proves impossible to resolve due to a dying logic board or a failed patch, you can bypass the internal card entirely.

The Dongle Workaround

Buy a cheap USB Wi-Fi adapter (like those from TP-Link or ASUS) that claims macOS support.

Pros: It gets you online instantly without hacking system files.
Cons: You lose features like Airdrop, Handoff, and Location Services, which only work with internal Apple-branded cards.

Solution 8: Delete Known Networks

Sometimes, corrupt configuration files migrate over during an upgrade, preventing connection even if the drivers are working.

Forget and Rejoin

Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi.
Find your home network and click Details.
Select Forget This Network.
Restart the Mac.
Reconnect and enter the password to start a new handshake with the patched protocol.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did my Wi-Fi stop working after a macOS update?

macOS updates overwrite the system partition, wiping out the custom drivers OCLP injected. You simply need to open the OCLP app, connect via Ethernet or USB tethering, and reapply the “Post-Install Root Patch.”

Does Airdrop work on patched Macs?

Yes, but only if both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are working perfectly. If you are using a USB dongle, AirDrop will likely fail. You need the internal Broadcom Wi-Fi driver fix enabled for Continuity features to function.

How do I download the patch over the internet if my Wi-Fi is down?

This is the “chicken and egg” problem. Use iPhone USB Tethering. Plug your iPhone into the Mac with a Lightning/USB-C cable. On your phone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn on “Allow Others to Join.” Your Mac will see the phone as an Ethernet connection.

Is the OCLP wireless patch safe?

Yes. It restores functionality with Apple drivers from older versions, but slightly weakens SIP, so these drivers work.

My Bluetooth connects but disconnects randomly. Why?

This is often interference or a weak signal. On older Macs, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas are shared. If you are using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, it can clash with Bluetooth. Try switching your router to 5GHz only to see if the Bluetooth issue on the OCLP Mac resolves.

Can I replace my Wi-Fi card to avoid these patches?

Yes. Installing a card like the BCM94360NG is a popular hardware hack. It is natively supported in more versions of macOS and often requires fewer (or no) root patches compared to the stock cards in 2012/2013 MacBooks.

Does this fix apply to Intel and Ethernet issues, too?

OCLP also supports legacy Intel Ethernet cards (such as the I225-V). If your wired connection is failing, the same “Post-Install Root Patch” process applies to the Ethernet drivers as well.

Conclusion

Losing internet access is one of the most frustrating aspects of the Hackintosh and Patcher experience. However, dealing with a Mac Wi-Fi not working OCLP scenario is almost always a temporary inconvenience, not a permanent failure.

The OpenCore team has done an extraordinary job creating a reliable Broadcom WiFi driver fix that re-enables hardware Apple tried to obsolete. By understanding the importance of the Root Patching system and keeping a USB cable handy for tethering, you can solve your network problems with your old Mac in minutes.

Whether you are fixing a simple Bluetooth issue, an OCLP Mac glitch, or performing a deep system patch for macOS Sonoma, following these steps will get you back online and back to enjoying your modernised Mac.

Ready to reconnect? Grab your lightning cable, tether your phone, and hit that “Start Root Patching” button now!