Troubleshooting WiFi Connectivity Issues on Mac

WiFi connectivity can sometimes be tricky. While MetaGrid Pro is designed to seamlessly connect to your Mac via MetaServer, there are instances when your iPad and Mac might not cooperate. Connectivity issues may arise due to network configurations, interference, software settings, or just the quirks of WiFi networks themselves.

We understand how frustrating this can be, especially in the middle of a project. That’s why this guide is here: to provide you with practical, tried-and-tested solutions from real users, along with detailed troubleshooting steps to help you resolve connection problems.

Let’s make this a go-to resource for keeping your MetaGrid Pro and Mac in sync. After all, a connected workflow is a productive workflow! 🎛✨

✅ Make sure MetaServer is running on your Mac

MetaGrid Pro relies on the MetaServer application to communicate with your Mac. If MetaServer isn’t running, your iPad won’t be able to connect. Follow these steps to ensure MetaServer is up and running:

Check if MetaServer is Open:

• Look for the MetaServer icon in your Mac’s menu bar (usually located at the top-right corner of your screen). The icon resembles a small grid or MetaGrid logo.

If MetaServer Isn’t Running:

• Open Finder and navigate to your Applications folder.
• Locate MetaServer and double-click to launch it.

Verify MetaServer Status:

Once MetaServer is running, the icon in the menu bar should appear active. You can click on it to access the settings or confirm that it’s running correctly.

Set MetaServer to Start Automatically (Optional):

To avoid connection issues in the future, you can set MetaServer to launch automatically when your Mac starts:

• Open MetaServer settings from the menu bar.
• Enable the Start MetaServer at Login option.

Ensuring that MetaServer is running on your Mac is a simple but critical step to maintaining a stable connection with MetaGrid Pro.

✅ Check Local Network Settings

1. One of the first things to check if MetaGrid Pro can’t connect to your Mac is the Local Network settings.
2. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and ensure that MetaServer is listed and enabled.
3. Typically, macOS will prompt you to enable network access for MetaServer the first time you run it. However, this setting might get disabled—especially after a MetaServer or macOS update.
4. If MetaServer isn’t enabled, toggle it on and try again.

This simple fix often resolves connection issues!

✅ Test Network Connectivity Options

MetaServer offers flexible network settings to help ensure smooth communication with MetaGrid Pro over WiFi. Adjusting these settings can make a difference.

1. Open MetaServer > Setup… > Network on your Mac.
2. You’ll see two key options:

• Enable IPv6: Allows MetaServer to use IPv6, which can resolve issues on networks that prioritize it.
• Enable TCP: Switches MetaServer to a more reliable connection type (default is UDP).

What’s the difference between TCP and UDP?

• UDP (default): Think of it as sending postcards—fast and efficient but doesn’t confirm delivery.
• TCP: Think of it as sending registered mail—more reliable, but slightly slower.

What to Do:

• Try toggling Enable IPv6 on or off.
• Switch between TCP and UDP.
• After making changes, relaunch MetaServer and try connecting MetaGrid Pro again.

Experimenting with these settings can often help you find the optimal configuration for your network.

✅ Check if MetaServer is Blocked by Antivirus or Firewall

Sometimes MetaServer may be blocked by antivirus, anti-malware software, or macOS’s built-in firewall. Here’s how to identify and resolve this issue:

Why MetaServer Might Be Blocked

Security software monitors your system to prevent unauthorized network access. MetaServer communicates over your local network, which can sometimes trigger a false alarm, especially after updates.

Steps to Check and Resolve the Issue

For macOS Firewall:

1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Firewall.
2. Ensure the firewall is turned on.
3. Click Options or Firewall Options.
4. Look for MetaServer in the list of apps:

• If it’s listed, ensure it’s set to Allow Incoming Connections.
• If it’s not listed, click the + button, find MetaServer in your Applications folder, and add it to the list.

For Antivirus or Anti-Malware Software:

1. Open your antivirus or anti-malware application settings.
2. Check sections like Blocked Apps, Firewall, or Quarantine.
3. Search for MetaServer and add it to the trusted or allowed list (sometimes called “whitelisting”).
4. Ensure both incoming and outgoing network connections are permitted.

Restart and Test:

• Restart MetaServer, MetaGrid Pro, and, if necessary, your Mac.
• Try reconnecting MetaGrid Pro to your Mac.

Temporarily Disable Security Software for Testing (Optional):

• Temporarily turn off your antivirus or firewall to see if the issue persists. If MetaGrid Pro connects successfully, you’ll know the software is the source of the block.

By ensuring MetaServer is allowed through your security settings, you can restore connectivity and keep your workflow uninterrupted.