Level 1

6 points

MacBook Pro constantly losing wireless connectivity

Hi folks,

Well, I read a ton of posts regarding MacBook Pro wireless networking issues before buying a wireless router last month, and now it's "me too."

Our iBook has no problems whatsoever with dropped connections, but the MBP loses access every few minutes or so. I usually follow a sequence of "Turn AirPort Off"/"Turn Airport On" to cycle the connection, and sometimes this works. It's an almost constant problem. This is a standard configuration MBP.

The router happens to be a D-Link DIR-615, but I've seen enough posts about problems with the Airport Express and MacBook Pros to know it's not the router that's the problem--it's the MacBook Pro (I notice a few similar posts even on the first page of this forum).

Dear Apple: what are you doing about this issue?

Has anyone else somehow resolved this problem? If there was only a couple of posts about this issue, then it might be written off as problems with a specific router, or specific users. But when there's a ton of messages all complaining about the same problem, then it's more likely a significant defect that needs to be fixed by the manufacturer, and won't be fixed by standard troubleshooting procedures of the mundane kind (Tech Support Theater: "Is your router turned on?").

Dear Apple: where are you?

MBP, Mac OS X (10.4.11), non

Posted on Jan 20, 2008 8:45 AM

2,055 replies

Jun 10, 2008 12:19 PM in response to AdeleS

Assuming that's the solution to this problem how do I change my router settings?

Geo2008

Level 1

0 points

Jun 10, 2008 12:51 PM in response to ffredburger

Just got my NEW $3100.00 MacBook Pro 17" yesterday 6-10-08. I was going nuts with this wireless problem all day yesterday. Stumbled upon this discussion while googling for help.

I tried ALL the fixes listed in this LONG thread. STILL NO HAPPINESS.

I guess I will be sending this LEMON back for a refund, I'm not going to WAIT AROUND FOR APPLE, when you can see that _FOR MONTHS NOW_ Apple has NOT come up with a REAL answer to SOLVE THIS PROBLEM (BUG).

VERY, VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER.

kga1978

Level 1

0 points

Jun 10, 2008 1:58 PM in response to Geo2008

I have a new airport extreme and a new MBP. I have found one solution that works for me, but unfortunately it is a pretty bad one (if you have non-n compliant hardware)!

Basically I have found that changing to 'N only" and 5GHz and Automatic channel fixes the problem. Whilst this is all good for my MBP, my iPhone, PB or G5 can now no longer connect to the network (of course!). So COOOOOOOOOME on Apple - solve this problem!

Jun 11, 2008 6:23 AM in response to ffredburger

I thought this problem had gone away for me with 10.5.3 but it's back out of nowhere with a vengeance. You know, dropping every ten minutes or so while the iMac and WinTel machines in my home maintain connectivity.

What's even more annoying is that when you lose connectivity, Dreamweaver turns into a beach ball machine. Grrr.

This is really out of control already.

One thing I've noticed, this only happens for me at home with my AirPort Express. At the office with a LinkSys router, I maintain connectivity all day with nary a flutter.

Is everyone having this problem with AEs?

And Apple, come on already, this is ridiculous.

Message was edited by: Tom Torrillo

Jun 11, 2008 4:13 PM in response to ffredburger

Everyone update your software. There was a 10 meg patch on June 10 for Airport that seems to be working. I don't have a "N" router, but my SBG900 with enhanced G settings seems to be working now.

Badsky2k

Level 1

4 points

Jun 12, 2008 2:45 PM in response to Bmoney's mafia

Well I downloaded the Airport Update and so far so good (less than 24 hours). I'll post regular updates about the upgrade to et everyone know how I am doing. Maybe... just maybe Apple finally got it right this time. Keep your fingers crossed.

kga1978

Level 1

0 points

Jun 12, 2008 3:27 PM in response to Badsky2k

Heh, yes it would be ever so nice if Apple finally got it fixed - but nooooooo - problem is still there for me! Worked for a couple of hours but then I restarted the computer and everything was back to normal - shame on you Apple!

I have found a solution that works for me though - but as I said in an earlier post it really isn't optimal!

For me the trick about reverting back to "G" only doesn't work. However if I go into Airport Utility and change the wireless settings to "N" only, 5GHz and no security and MAC address filtering instead, then I don't get any of these dropouts. Now the problem is that my other non-intel computers (and iPhone) can no longer connect, so what I did was to take my Airport Express and plug it into the Airport Extreme, set it up using DHCP and then "create wireless network". The Express will then use the "B" and "G" protocol whereas the Extreme will use the "N" protocol.

This seems to be working nicely, but of course it is VERY far from optimal - okay for a temporary fix though and much better than no network at all!

Badsky2k

Level 1

4 points

Jun 13, 2008 9:21 AM in response to Badsky2k

Well another day and so far so good. Thought it had cropped up again but I checked my ISP network status and they were having issues in my area. My MBP is running on N, my two HP Vista Home Premiums are running G as well as my iPhone. All are performing well. Maybe, just maybe the Apple Dudes got it right this time. I am using a Linksys (Cisco) WRT160N wireless router at this location. i also forgot to mention (before this latest patch) that my Sprint Broadband card never had this issue. Anyone else have any feedback since this latest patch?

Gashtou

Level 1

0 points

Jun 13, 2008 11:25 AM in response to Jerry Jividen1

What jerry said to do worked for me.... it took 3 times of doing everything and i also changed a few things the third time such as holding the power button for 30 seconds and holding down the command, option, P, and R keys for a 5 restarts. i still have to connect the my network every time it sleeps but i only have to click the network and its fine... and yes i do have only a macbok and having the same problems as you guys and your fancy macbook pros. :-P if anyone knows how to fix my minor little problem let me know..... i can finally stop dreaming of throwing my mac out the second story window. this is my first mac experience and i have to admit i was not happy with it but from everything i've heard about apple and such i knew something would fix it. i just got a new 16 gig ipod touch that works like a dream. i'm seriously thinking about going all mac. who really needs games anyway? once again, thanks so so so so so so so so much for your help jerry. you definately saved my sanity.

Lester70

Level 1

0 points

Jun 13, 2008 1:08 PM in response to ffredburger

My MBP has also been dropping the wireless connection. I have bought several routers with no success. Also, It loses the connection at work with our 802.11G router. My wife's MB NEVER loses the connection..and ever since I downloaded some patches my MBP locks up sometimes.

Hookshot

Level 1

4 points

Jun 13, 2008 3:52 PM in response to Lester70

After an extremely frustrating day trying to log into my corporate email and website, I found this thread and downloaded the Airport update. I was able to log in for the first time after installing the update. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will be the solution for me.

GarrickJ

Level 1

0 points

Jun 13, 2008 11:08 PM in response to Bmoney's mafia

What update? I see no update posted on Apple's site, nor do I see any update in the software update tool. Where is everyone finding this update?

Badsky2k

Level 1

4 points

Jun 14, 2008 7:03 AM in response to Badsky2k

IT'S BAAAACK! I can't believe this ^%$^! This latest patch lasted three days! I went in this AM and booted my MBP up and the Wi-Fi is crawling along at double digit speeds! Mind you I am one foot away from the access point! I rebooted, turned the Airport off/on, unplugged my modem & access point (to reset and dump the "junk in the trunk") and still a crawl. Called my ISP and there are no issues in my area (node) so by a process of elimination, all I can figure is that my system has been repossessed by this demon (wonder if I should take it to a priest).

Up until this morning, it worked like a champ. I even went out to the back deck last night (a good 20' from the access point and three walls), ran a speed test and was cranking along at 10megs.

This is beyond the point of ridiculous! I am going to attempt to call Apple Care (quit laughing out there) and let them know that this has gone on long enough... waaaaay to long! I thought that Apple was suppose to be Grade A Prime stuff. Pretty bad when an HP VISTA system performs better than a MBP! FIX IT, DON'T BAND-AID IT!

Badsky2k

Level 1

4 points

Jun 14, 2008 8:16 AM in response to Badsky2k

OK, just got off the phone with Apple Care and after talking to tire 1 Rep Amanda, she transfered me to Tier 2 rep named Wayne in Canada. We went through a couple of trouble shooting items. One thing that pointed out my issue was that Wayne had me log into a "guest" account (I had one set up for the wife that she has never used). When I logged into her account and did a speed test, it was working like it was suppose to... FAST! When I went back to my log in/account, the issue cropped up again. So Wayne had me go into start up folder and we eliminated some background applications that were hogging resources. Re-booted and VIOLA... I'm back in the fast lane again. I do not want the liability of telling what we stopped and left so I recommend calling Apple Care to get assistance with deleting unnecessary programs running in the back ground (if you are new to Mac's like I am). If you are an old pro... then you know where to do this. I have flamed Apple on this discussion thread but I do want to thank Amanda & Wayne for their professionalism in handling a very upset customer. I hope this resolves the issue for me and I hope that it also works for the rest of us that have had or are having this issue too.

GarrickJ

Level 1

0 points

Jun 14, 2008 8:24 AM in response to Badsky2k

So what Airport update did you install? I couple of posts ago, you said that you applied some airport update. I cannot find any recent airport/wifi update anywhere on Apple's site and it does not show up in Software Update.

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MacBook Pro constantly losing wireless connectivity