maximpi

Q: Intermittent network connection problems

Once or twice an hour I experience network connection problems, lasting between a few seconds and minutes:

 

1) Browser can't load web pages and 'ping 4.2.2.1' results in 'request timeout'.

 

2) Existing connections (e.g. ssh to a remote box) continue to work.

 

3) Disabling and re-enabling WiFi always fixes it.

 

4) Other devices connected to the same WiFi router don't have the same problem.

 

Any hints on how to debug this would be much appreciated.

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jun 11, 2016 7:31 AM

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Q: Intermittent network connection problems

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  • by IMWJL,

    IMWJL IMWJL Jun 11, 2016 11:56 AM in response to maximpi
    Level 1 (59 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 11, 2016 11:56 AM in response to maximpi

    More information would help.

     

    1. What is your router or wireless bridge (the device you connect to)?
    2. Is the software for that router or bridge up to date?
    3. Is your computer's software up to date?
    4. Does a continuous ping (open your Mac's terminal program) keep the connection alive?
    5. Does your Mac have this problem with just one or all WiFi access points?
    6. Does your Mac have any third party anti-virus or web filtering software?

     

    I hope those troubleshooting steps can help you find a pattern or problem.

     

    Good luck.

  • by maximpi,

    maximpi maximpi Jun 11, 2016 12:26 PM in response to IMWJL
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 11, 2016 12:26 PM in response to IMWJL

    Thanks for your reply.

     

    > What is your router or wireless bridge (the device you connect to)?

     

    It's a TP-Link Archer CR700. During the interruptions it can still be pinged.

     

    > Is the software for that router or bridge up to date?

     

    The bottom of the admin page says: Firmware Version:v1.0.3 Build 20150413 Rel12122 Hardware Version:V1.1

     

    It seems that TP-Link isn't terribly clear about firmware versions: http://www.tp-link.com/en/download/Archer-CR700.html

     

    > Is your computer's software up to date?

     

    Yes, OS X 10.11.5 with all App Store updates installed.

     

    > Does a continuous ping (open your Mac's terminal program) keep the connection alive?

     

    No. During the interrputions it switches to "Request timeout for icmp_seq".

     

    > Does your Mac have this problem with just one or all WiFi access points?

     

    I don't know. However, a MacBook Air on the same access point does not have the problem.

     

    > Does your Mac have any third party anti-virus or web filtering software?

     

    No. Also, in System Preferences all options under "Sharing" are turned off and under "Security" the firewall is turned on.