Paradigm9

Q: OS X El Capitan v10.11.6 Update. Wifi loses connection, when I turn off the wifi it will not turn back on again. Anyone else having similar problems? Any solutions?

OS X El Capitan v10.11.6 Update. Wifi loses connection, when I turn off the wifi it will not turn back on again. Anyone else having similar problems? Any solutions?

Mac Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Jul 31, 2016 5:51 AM

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Q: OS X El Capitan v10.11.6 Update. Wifi loses connection, when I turn off the wifi it will not turn back on again. Anyone else havin ... more

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  • by JovonaP.,

    JovonaP. JovonaP. Aug 1, 2016 11:55 AM in response to Paradigm9
    Community Specialists
    Aug 1, 2016 11:55 AM in response to Paradigm9

    Hello Paradigm9,

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. It's my understanding you've been experiencing Wi-Fi connection issues after updating. I definitely know how important it is to have strong, consistent internet connection. I am happy to help get this resolved with you.

    You can use Wireless Diagnostics to help identify and resolve Wi-Fi issues. Please use the links below for assistance with Wireless Diagnostics and troubleshooting:

    Use Wireless Diagnostics to help you resolve Wi-Fi issues on your Mac

    OS X El Capitan: Solve problems connecting to the Internet

    Have an amazing day!

  • by Paradigm9,

    Paradigm9 Paradigm9 Aug 1, 2016 10:31 PM in response to JovonaP.
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 1, 2016 10:31 PM in response to JovonaP.

    HI JovonaP, thank you for your swift reply. And thank you for your offer to get this resolved with me.

     

    The solutions you suggested all relate to network problems, however the problem I'm having is an internal one not an external one. I've tried the MacBook in 3 different network environments, home, family's home and work. Both iPads I have connect flawlessly with all three wifi networks, however the MacBook has the same problem in all three enviorments.

     

    The issue amounts to two problems: 1. When I restart the MacBook, it will initially connect to the wifi network, but will only retain that connection for a period of time before losing connection. Sometimes 2-3 minutes, sometimes for as long as 5 hours. It seems to turn the wifi interface off. 2. Once connection is lost, I click on the Wi-Fi icon in the system status bar, and on the drop down menu I click the 'Turn Wi-Fi On' menu item. At this point nothing happens, the Wi-Fi interface will not turn on. The same is true in the System Preferences- Network section. Wi-Fi is shown as off, and clicking on the  'Turn Wi-Fi On' button has no effect. The Wi-Fi interface will not turn on.

     

    I would appreciate your suggestions for solutions to this matter. Many thanks and have a fantastic day!

  • by erin_b1,

    erin_b1 erin_b1 Aug 2, 2016 5:40 AM in response to Paradigm9
    Community Specialists
    Aug 2, 2016 5:40 AM in response to Paradigm9


    Thank you for following up. The additional information you've provided is very helpful. At this point we recommend testing this issue in safe mode. Starting in safe mode prevents certain logins and software from automatically starting. It also allows the Mac to run certain checks. Please follow the steps below to start in safe mode:

    1. Start or restart your Mac. 
    2. Immediately after you hear the startup sound, press and hold the Shift key.
    3. Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

    After the Apple logo appears, it might take longer than usual to reach the login screen or your desktop. This is because your Mac performs a directory check of your startup disk as part of safe mode.

    To leave safe mode, restart your computer without pressing any keys during startup.

     

    If an issue doesn't happen when your Mac is started in safe mode, try restarting again without pressing any keys at startup. If the issue appears to be resolved when you start up normally, it was possibly caused by a cache or a directory issue with your startup disk that safe mode fixed.

    If you restart your Mac normally and an issue comes back when you reach your desktop, try disabling any login items that automatically open when you log in.

    Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up

    If the issue occurs in safe mode the next step would be to test this in another user. Please use the link below for additional information about testing in another user and steps on how to do so:

    How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

    Have a great day!

  • by michaelgrinberg1986,

    michaelgrinberg1986 michaelgrinberg1986 Aug 25, 2016 9:12 AM in response to erin_b1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 25, 2016 9:12 AM in response to erin_b1

    .

  • by michaelgrinberg1986,

    michaelgrinberg1986 michaelgrinberg1986 Aug 25, 2016 9:11 AM in response to Paradigm9
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 25, 2016 9:11 AM in response to Paradigm9

    Hi, try to turn off bluetooth.

  • by rolni61,

    rolni61 rolni61 Sep 6, 2016 9:43 AM in response to Paradigm9
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 6, 2016 9:43 AM in response to Paradigm9

    Hi Paradigm9

    Well I had a wifi problem with a MacBook Pro from late 2009. After the upgrade and it couldn't reach the internet.

    Looking around for a while I understood that it hade to do with password to the wifi. So I simply changed the password

    and after that it worked again. Funny enough my other computer, a bit newer, didn't have any problem at all.

    Hope this will help

    /rolni

  • by Paradigm9,

    Paradigm9 Paradigm9 Sep 10, 2016 6:28 AM in response to erin_b1
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 10, 2016 6:28 AM in response to erin_b1

    HI there erin_b1! Thank you for your suggestions.

    I tried restarting in safe mode. The first time, the wifi connection was restored and after restarting again in normal mode, the connection continued fine for 5 days. After that the same issue returned and I haven't been able to resolve it since. I've tried restarting in safe mode on several occassions, usually that doesn't work, sometimes it has but then the connection failed again after a few minutes. Often there is no connection in safe mode either, but sometimes there is. Sometimes the problem is that the wifi will not turn on, sometimes it says there is no wifi hardware connected. Just tonight I got it connected to wifi in safe mode, but have been unable to get a connection in normal mode.  I have disabled all login items (there were only two, an iTunes login in and a Dropbox one) but this has had no effect whatsoever. I have tried logging in with a different user account, this had no result and right from the start the wifi would not turn on.

    I have tried to troubleshoot software problems by following the apple website directions, to test the cache in the Library folder in the Home folder, there is no Library folder.

     

    What do you recommend I do next?

     

    Have an excellent day!

  • by Paradigm9,

    Paradigm9 Paradigm9 Sep 10, 2016 6:32 AM in response to rolni61
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 10, 2016 6:32 AM in response to rolni61

    Thanks for taking the time to post a suggestion. The problem persists with various different networks that I've tried, so it seems it is not related to the wifi network password.

     

    Much appreciated though.

  • by Paradigm9,

    Paradigm9 Paradigm9 Sep 10, 2016 6:41 AM in response to michaelgrinberg1986
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 10, 2016 6:41 AM in response to michaelgrinberg1986

    HI michaelgrinberg1986!

     

    Thanks for the suggestion, I tried it but still no success.

     

    Cheers!

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Sep 10, 2016 3:59 PM in response to Paradigm9
    Level 9 (70,011 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 10, 2016 3:59 PM in response to Paradigm9

    Wi-FI connection drops

     

    Wi-Fi Problems in OS X Yosemite

     

    Wi-Fi Problems in OS X Yosemite (2)

     

    Wi-Fi Problems in OS X Yosemite (3)

     

    WiFi Potential Temporary fix - Yosemite

     

    Also try turning off Bluetooth.

     

    WIFI AND BLUETOOTH FINALLY SOLVED, NO REALLY - YOSEMITE 10.10

     

    If your Wi-Fi source is capable of generating a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, try that to help avoid conflicts with Bluetooth.