CongressDJ

Q: New Airport Time Capsule Dropping Wifi/Internet with 7.7.1

Last week I bought a new Airport 2TB Time Capsule and had everything up and running within minutes. However, less than 24 hours later, the wifi signal started dropping devices all around the house. It started with the AppleTV, and eventually dropped our iPhones and iPad as well. The problem is one I've seen on these forums before (however, not with this new model).

 

I since exchanged it, and the new model is having the identical issues.

 

Basically, the problem is 1 of 3 things:

 

1. You'll look down at your iPhone (or whatever device that is wirelessly connected), and see a full wifi signal. However, you'll have lost access to the Internet. Using the AirPort app won't find the Airport Time Capsule. Sometimes turning off wifi on the iPhone and turning it back on fixes the issue, sometimes the Airport Time Capsule needs to be restarted.

2. The AirPort Time Capsule stops broadcasting SSID at random intervals. Even when standing right next to it, there is no way to join the network.

3. The Internet connection drops in the middle of a browsing session (usually while using an iPhone).

 

On both devices (the original new one, and the replacement exchange), I immediately ran the firmware update. So, I'm thinking this could be a firmware issue.

 

This router replaces a Linksys e3000 that was working flawlessly. It's connected to a Cox Cable Cisco DOCSIS 3.0 modem (modem only, no router). The AirPort Time Capsule runs in WPA2 protected mode. It's running DHCP and NAT, and 2.4 and 5ghz are currently running the same network name (although I've tried separating them to no effect).

 

I am at my wits end. I find it hard to believe that both of these routers are defective. And I also find it hard to believe that I'm doing something wrong in the setup of this simple device, considering I've been working with all kinds of very complicated routers for over a decade without this kind of problem.

 

So I come to you, community, for help!

 

Thank you in advance!

Posted on Jun 30, 2013 7:10 PM

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Q: New Airport Time Capsule Dropping Wifi/Internet with 7.7.1

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  • by chawwl,

    chawwl chawwl Nov 19, 2013 1:53 PM in response to CongressDJ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 1:53 PM in response to CongressDJ

    I just got off the phone with tech support. The guy insisted everything stemmed from using the TC as a bridge connected to the Uverse modem/router. I don't know of any other way to make it work because I can't exactly make the modem/router all in one the bridge. Does everybody here have their TC running off an all in one type box?

  • by Incredulocious,

    Incredulocious Incredulocious Nov 19, 2013 2:00 PM in response to chawwl
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 2:00 PM in response to chawwl

    No, chawwl, mine is (or was) just connecting to a cable modem. (Docsis 3)  I'm not in bridge mode.  I say "was" since I've reverted to my old AirPort Extreme while I wait for Apple to update their firmware.

  • by chawwl,

    chawwl chawwl Nov 19, 2013 2:03 PM in response to Incredulocious
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 2:03 PM in response to Incredulocious

    Hmm. Yeah I'm pretty sure my setup isn't the problem. It worked fine for 4 days. He said that was essentially luck and that I should never use the TC in bridge mode.

     

    Not sure if I should wait for a fix or what. If they don't think there's a problem though that's concerning.

  • by chawwl,

    chawwl chawwl Nov 19, 2013 2:20 PM in response to chawwl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 2:20 PM in response to chawwl

    I just did a hard reset and set everything up again. It's working now. I'll see how long it lasts until I start having problems.

  • by toddfromtx,

    toddfromtx toddfromtx Nov 21, 2013 7:14 AM in response to CongressDJ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 21, 2013 7:14 AM in response to CongressDJ

    Good morning folks

    My ATC 3TB has been working perfectly for over 10 weeks now.  Here is some information about my setup which hopefully is useful to some of you:

     

    Hardware:  New ATC 3TB (7.7.1 firmware) connected via CAT-6 ethernet cable to UVerse 3801HGV home gateway/router (TV, internet, VOIP phone).  My Apple TV is cabled to the UV 3801HGV, not to the ATC.

     

    Setup steps:

    1. Disconnect ATC from power and router (in my case 3801HGV)

    2. Perform hard reset on your router so it completely "forgets" your ATC.

    3. Perform Factory Default Reset on ATC (read support.apple.com/kb/ht3728)

    4. Allow your ATC to automatically configure itself by cabling to router and powering up, like initial install.

     

    Once green light appears on your ATC (and of course your router), open AirPort Utility (in your app folder).  In a few seconds you should get green lights on both your ATC and Inernet icons on the APU entry page.  Click on the ATC icon to see your settings. My settings look like this:

    Screen Shot 2013-11-21 at 8.25.09 AM.png

    Screen Shot 2013-11-21 at 8.26.35 AM.png

    Screen Shot 2013-11-21 at 8.27.11 AM.png

    If you have the same UV 3801HGV as me, your settings should look like these.  If you have different hardware, your settings may be different.  If your ATC works, you have the right settings for you.

     

    You will see from my setup that the ATC is in Bridge Mode (Off).  This means that it is not acting as my router; my 3801HGV is providing router services.  I have tried previously to reverse this (bridge router to ATC, with the ATC providing router services) without success.  I had also tried to cable my ATV to my ATC; this also was not stable.  Since I cabled the ATV to my 3801HGV, no problems.

     

    Re wifi, I use the ATC only, and have turned the 3801HGV wifi off. 

     

    There are other ways to connect your ATC to your router, and once connected there are many options for security etc.  I would start with my basic cable setup above, and once it works and proves to be stable, try your modifications one at a time.

     

    Hope this is helpful -- good luck!

     

    Apple tech definitely MUST make this easier for these high end devices via firmware updates and better user guides!

  • by toddfromtx,

    toddfromtx toddfromtx Nov 21, 2013 2:00 PM in response to CongressDJ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 21, 2013 2:00 PM in response to CongressDJ

    Good news -- Apple has finally updated ATC firmware to 7.7.2.   To install, open AirPort Utility, click on the ATC icon, and click Update button.

     

    More info here:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1708?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

  • by tmoney728,

    tmoney728 tmoney728 Nov 21, 2013 4:12 PM in response to toddfromtx
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 21, 2013 4:12 PM in response to toddfromtx

    Man I've have my ATC for months now and it's been a paper weight. This update better keep things good. So excited to finally use it!!!!

  • by Incredulocious,

    Incredulocious Incredulocious Nov 22, 2013 3:08 PM in response to toddfromtx
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 22, 2013 3:08 PM in response to toddfromtx

    toddfromtx wrote:

     

    Good news -- Apple has finally updated ATC firmware to 7.7.2.   To install, open AirPort Utility, click on the ATC icon, and click Update button.

     

    That did it!  Sweet!  Finally, a working Airport Time Capsule and base station!

     

    And now that it's working properly, I checked out the WiFi range on these units.... it's amazing!  The old Airport Extreme was no slouch but this new model covers my entire large home and beyond – I'm getting strong signal and good performance even 100-ish feet away from my home.

     

    I've updated my Amazon review to remove my prior warning to stay away from the product.  This thing works great now!

  • by mrstee,

    mrstee mrstee Nov 22, 2013 5:21 PM in response to CongressDJ
    Level 1 (89 points)
    Peripherals
    Nov 22, 2013 5:21 PM in response to CongressDJ

    I updated but instead of waiting for the update (I just couldn't wait till it came out-dropping the interenet every couple of minutes was more than I could take!), I bought a new router and so far, it is working fine. When I have time I might hook up my TC again to the modem..... Glad for anyone who solved their wi-fi issues!!! Judy

  • by William Kucharski,

    William Kucharski William Kucharski Nov 22, 2013 8:44 PM in response to Incredulocious
    Level 6 (15,225 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 22, 2013 8:44 PM in response to Incredulocious

    Incredulocious wrote:

     

    That did it!  Sweet!  Finally, a working Airport Time Capsule and base station!

     

     

    FWIW,, mine was always working properly with 7.7.1 and 7.7.2 doesn't seem to have broken anything.

  • by chawwl,

    chawwl chawwl Nov 24, 2013 3:06 PM in response to chawwl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 3:06 PM in response to chawwl

    chawwl wrote:

     

    I just did a hard reset and set everything up again. It's working now. I'll see how long it lasts until I start having problems.

    Just wanted to update. Did the hard reset 5 days ago and haven't had any problems since. I also upgraded the firmware yesterday. So far, so good!

  • by ian816,

    ian816 ian816 Nov 26, 2013 6:42 AM in response to CongressDJ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 26, 2013 6:42 AM in response to CongressDJ

    7.7.2 seems to have fixed this issue for me. it's been 24hrs and no drops.

  • by abz1981,

    abz1981 abz1981 Nov 30, 2013 12:56 PM in response to CongressDJ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 30, 2013 12:56 PM in response to CongressDJ

    Hey all

    I am a new time capsule user. This is my experience so far. What I have noticed is that the wifi signal drops on my iphone 5 and my sisters iphone 5 and on her ipad air. However my MBA seems to be working fine 100% in terms of the wifi signal and no drops at all. I called Apple who said I should re-set the time capsule which I did, and it did not solve the problem. Anyone have any suggestions in terms of solving this issue?  Is it to do with the 2.4ghz and 5ghz which is set to automatic on my time capsule? Should I change this to some other number would this help? I mean my wifi on my rotuer seems to be doing fine and no issues with that. I see both wifi connections under my wifi search. So at the moment having to use wifi on my router instead, and only use the wifi on timecapsule when I am backing up data.

  • by lomarga,

    lomarga lomarga Dec 2, 2013 11:54 PM in response to CongressDJ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 2, 2013 11:54 PM in response to CongressDJ

    Been struggling with the TC for weeks and in meantime made an appointment with staff @geniusbar after calling applecare. They suggested they might want to replace the TC. Than in the store yesterday they found the update 7.7.2 which I was unaware of. That should have solved problems of TC crashing and restarting sometimes 10 times a day.

    After coming home installed everything again and all night it seemed to work properly.

    This morning however playing a song (via iTunes-library which is on the TC) it happened again just like before.

    TC went down and restarting. I have this problem only when playing songs from iTunes.

  • by ianmsf,

    ianmsf ianmsf Dec 13, 2013 11:26 AM in response to CongressDJ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2013 11:26 AM in response to CongressDJ

    I'm been on 7.7.2 for a few weeks and am still experiencing similar issues.

     

    Details:

    New 2TB TC with 7.7.2 firmware.

    Hooked up to Motorola sb6121 DOCSIS 3.0 modem

    Setup as DHCP and NAT

    There is an apple TV on the network connected via wifi (with a reserved IP).

     

    The device is helpfully assigning IPs to devices, though not necessarily respecting the DHCP reservation for the MAC address (e.g. I reserved 192.168.1.9 for my wife's macbook MAC, but the TC assigned her 192.168.1.7). Setting my wife's computer to expect the manual IP seems to fix it, though I don't think that should be necessary.

     

    However, devices don't always get internet access when they get their IPs, and when this happens opening the AirPort Utiltiy on them will claim it can't find any connected airport base stations on the network. If I look at the time capsule via Airport Utility from a device that is properly connected, I don't see the misbehaving one. Turning the wifi off and on repeatedly will sometimes fix the issue.

     

    1) Changing the IPv6 settings on both the macbooks and the TC to 'Local Link Only'. This is appropriate given my ISP is not yet supporting IPv6.

    2) Giving the 5ghz network a name.

    3) Changing the DNS settings on the macbooks and the TC to Google's DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)

     

    When I started writing this one of the macbooks was borked, but of course it is now behaving correctly. The main takeaway is the 7.7.2 firmware is no silver bullet.

     

    Just now I've tried manually assigning IPs for everything. This means:

    1) Reserving specific IPs like 192.168.1.41 for all devices on the network (by MAC address), while setting DHCP to only hand out things in the 192.168.1.100+ range for non-reserved devices.

    2) Going into the wireless settings for all the devices on my network (2 iphones, 2 macbooks, an apple tv, and an ipad2) and setting them up to use the same manual IP as I specified for them in the TC.

     

    That last step _seems_ to have made a difference for getting devices to actually connect properly to the TC. However, while typing this up I just saw the TC drop the connection to the internet, so it's not exactly perfect.

     

    As with others I had no problems with the modem and previous router that was connected to it. If I unhook the TC and turn the old router back on, everything works fine. This is definitely a problem with the TC, and while the firmware update may have helped others, it didn't do anything for me.

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