Very niche but baffling issue: unable to download from a certain site on wifi, but CAN download on direct ethernet connection.

Understanding the Niche Dilemma: Troubleshooting Download Issues on Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet Connections

Introduction

In today’s digital workspace, connectivity issues can be both perplexing and disruptive. Recently, a user encountered a highly specific problem: being unable to download files from a particular website, Vecteezy.com, when connected via Wi-Fi, while the same downloads succeed without a hitch through a direct Ethernet connection. This blog explores the nuances of this issue, details the troubleshooting steps already taken, and offers potential avenues for further investigation.

The Scenario

The user, a professional designer operating a MacBook Pro M4 Max running macOS Sequoia, faced a peculiar downloading discrepancy:

• Site Affected: Vecteezy.com, a stock image platform.
• Behavior: Clicking the download button results in no action or download prompt via Wi-Fi.
• Other Sites: No issues downloading from other websites.
• Device & Browsers: The problem persists across multiple browsers—Safari, Chrome, and Edge.
• Network: The issue is isolated to Wi-Fi connections; Ethernet connections function normally.
• Historical Context: An older MacPro model did not exhibit this behavior, indicating a possible device-specific or configuration issue.

Troubleshooting Efforts Undertaken

The user has diligently explored various common solutions:

• Clearing browser cache and cookies—though browser cache is unlikely the core issue given cross-browser symptoms.
• Testing with different browsers, including those managed by organizational IT policies.
• Attempting downloads on different Wi-Fi networks, as well as through wired Ethernet.
• Logging in and out of the user’s account on Vecteezy to check for permission-related issues.
• Rebooting the device multiple times to refresh system and network settings.
• Engaging colleagues with similar hardware, who did not experience this problem—suggesting that the issue could be specific to the user’s device configuration.

Potential Avenues for Further Investigation

Given that the problem persists despite extensive troubleshooting, here are some targeted strategies to identify the root cause:

1. Network and DNS Settings:

   • Compare DNS configurations on Wi-Fi versus Ethernet. For instance, DNS filtering or custom DNS servers (like Google’s 8.8.8.8) might impact how certain sites load or function.
   • Flushing DNS cache or resetting network preferences can eliminate potential resolution issues.

2. Firewall and Security Software:

   • Check macOS security settings, firewalls, or antivirus