Q: MacBook Pro constantly losing wireless connectivity

Just to weigh in: I've been struggling with wifi connectivity problems on my first-generation MBP all summer, and browsing this very long thread has been like reliving my summer's experience: intermittent drop outs, works reliably only very close to the router, doing various tweaks seems to sometimes improve things a bit but never make it go away entirely. Had the wireless card replaced and then the right fan fixed (overheating made the problem worse), but the problem won't go away altogether.

It might be a basic design flaw in the MBP (e.g., the aluminum case) that can be compensated for but not fully corrected.

Hi,

I am also using the WPN824....having the same issues.

Before I found this thread to try and correct the problem I downloaded iStumbler to have a look. Every time I have iStumbler running the connection is fine...no problems at all. As soon as I quit iStumbler the problem returns.

I'm not sure why it works but it does. Maybe a more technically minded person could work out why. The thing is that after iStumbler has been running for about 2 hrs it starts hogging CPU and I have to restart it. But I do get perfect connection though.
Go figure!

Hey Everyone,

I have the same issues.

I accidently found a workaround that works perfectly for me. I was having these issues before I knew of this thread and everyone elses same issues. I installed iStumbler to check out my wireless signal etc.

Now...whenever I have iStumbler running I get a perfect connection!!!

I don't know why...I just know that I do. As soon as I turn it off my connection is rubbish again.

There is a small issue with this though. iStumbler starts hoggin CPU after a while (maybe a couple hours). I just have to restart it and it is fine.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes for you.

Thanks

After having my MacBook Pro for about three months and not having any problem with wi-fi, suddenly today it bombs out. Repeatedly.

I have never had RealPlayer on this machine.

The machine used to work fine (until a few hours ago).

My Billion router is 802.11B/G (no N) and it can't be changed to just G because there are legacy B devices on the network.

Nothing in my setup has changed except for the latest software update from Apple (iPhone 2.1 update, Quicktime and iTunes 8) and a security update. None of these should go anywhere near the wi-fi code stack. Yet the problem coincides with these being installed.

The symptoms:
Full signal strength reported ...
... but NO internet connection
Works when VERY close to router
Reboots of router and MBP make no difference. Switching off wi-fi on the MBP makes no difference.

The only way I can seem to kickstart the MBP (Loading iStumbler makes no difference) is to jack it in to the router's Ethernet connection, then the wi-fi comes good for maybe 20-30 minutes. My other devices (I have about a half dozen of them) have no problems connecting to the net.

I've browsed this thread and can find nothing to help (although a lot of people in the same situation). Although with more than 500 posts it is possible I missed a gem.

If anyone can suggest something that works I would be eternally grateful.

cheers

Have you ever heard of an ethernet cable? I have the same wireless problem and my MBP is brand new (3 weeks), but I cant understand how you can justify blaming your MBP wireless problems for dropping out of school.

So... anyone from Apple want to chime in? Or is this not a "problem"...

Maybe we should consider ourselves lucky Apple hasn't deleted this entire thread!

To me it smacks of arrogance with a tinge of disdain towards their customers. This thread is the equivalent of a mass demonstration on the steps of city hall...so why hasn't a spokesman come out and made a statement?

I understand that technology isn't always perfect but when there is a problem of such magnitude I expect recognition, acceptance and a roadmap for resolution. Having lost my WiFi on my new MPB this week I have never had cause to curse Apple like I have done - I was let down when I really needed Internet connectivity and now my ultra-cool machine with its 'I'm better than you PC owners' vibe suddenly seems less important.

Let's get this fixed guys...

It's terrible: after trying about all of the suggestions posted in the numerous posts concerning the MPB WiFi connectivity issue, the only thing that really works for my brand new MBP is to boot in Windows... chuckles everywhere on the workfloor when i flip open my beautiful aluminium brick.

This machine is certainly not performing the way it should; are we entitled to a refund?

Ditto - terrible connection problem here - spent ages on this thread trying all the different fixes postulated - right up to and including PRAM and SMC resets, multiple routers and settings, different locations (I even moved house during the problem and the problem still occurred at the new location). I spent over an hour on the phone to AppleCare but we eventually realised I'd exhausted all the things they'd tell me to do anyway. As with everyone else, it's a massive connection drop issue, but only under OSX - XP SP3 under Bootcamp has no issues so it can't be the hardware.

Then last night I downloaded iStumbler release 98, and found that as long as I leave that running - despite the increased CPU load and reduced battery life it brings along - I have the worlds most stable wi-fi connection. Incredible. I don't know what iStumbler does over and above the normal AirPort scans, but it works like a dream.

Incidentally the AppleCare guys said that patch 10.5.5 should be coming out in the next few weeks and that there should be some fixes for connectivity issues in it. I suggest that they should buy up iStumbler and integrate it into the OS - it just works! :P

Well, I can't answer the question as to what is causing it but I do have a possible reason that iStumblier makes it stable. The problem to me does not appear to be the computer just dropping the connection on its own. The problem seems to be happening whenever the computer goes out looking for more networks. The system is always scanning to see if there are other networks out there that it might be able to connect to. I tried to see if there was a way to turn this off but don't see how.

The reason iStumbler makes the connection stable is that it keeps the current network connection busy and open. If the current network connection becomes unused then the system looses it when it goes to look for other networks. Not sure if its because of it scanning other channels in the area that causes it to scramble up the current (connected) line, or something else, but its what seems to be happening on my system.

I've been lucky so far because since taking out the "Real" program, my system has been perfectly stable, but I recognize there is a deeper issue. If you can figure out how to make the system stop automatically scanning for networks then you might be able to hide your problem as well.

I'll post back if I can figure this out. Might not fix anything but would be worth a shot.

glenn

I had similar issues to everyone else. My home wifi worked on other laptops, and when out of home Safari worked on other wireless networks. Not sure if my solution will last but has been fine for 60mins. I simply downloaded firefox and used that instead of safari. Seems to have fixed the problem... for now.

FWIW, I just tried iStumbler to see if it would help, and in my case, it had the opposite effect: running iStumbler seemed to cause me to loose wifi even more often, and when only 8 feet away from the router. So there's something going on (timing issues, perhaps?) but at least in my case iStumbler is not a cure-all.

My MBP has been working wonderfully for weeks now! Yes, I suppose I should include the fact that I've been running it with Windows! Hahahahaha! The irony just kills me...

I have read most of the posts in this thread cause I have the same issue. I must add that I'm running a MBP + MB, (Leopard + WINXP on both)and what's really discouraging is that I could be siting on my deck with both MACs and the wireless issue is only apparent on the MBP (even in WINXP), this really sticks to me!!! Oh btw I did try the SMC before you suggest.
I'm just hoping that APPLE comes out with a fix soon, at least by the time my MacBook sells on eBay.