Network location needs to be replaced regularly

[smartarts]

I have a situation where I need to regularly re set the internet connection by SYSTEM PREFS > NETWORK > and change the LOCATION from auto by setting a new one

It started on my previous iMac using Mojave and I put up with it as I knew I’d be getting a newer machine soon & thought it may be network hardware related.

I now have a newer machine (re-furb iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015 4ghz i7, 16gb ram) which runs Catalina

I set up the newer iMac using the time machine backup from my old iMac - the problem still exist (so I guess it’s not hardware related)

I googled some info and replaced some preferences files

nameley
com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist
com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
NetworkInterfaces-pre-upgrade-new-target.plist
NetworkInterfaces-pre-upgrade-source.plist
NetworkInterfaces.plist
preferences-pre-upgrade-new-target.plist
preferences-pre-upgrade-source.plist

hoping that that my fix the problem - however the problem still exists - any suggestions?

 

[smartarts]

PS the problem occurs randomly on startup

 

[Ruggy]

What actually happens then?
Does it lose the connection altogether or does it disconnect from the network you want and connect to another network?
Have you dragged your preferred network to the top of the list?