Q: MacBook Pro constantly losing wireless connectivity

On my 5th MbP, each exchanged for separate build quality issues, but all displaying poor Wifi connectivity. No difference with this one.

This problem has nothing to do with heat, its not a mechanical issue in that sense. Probably just nasty cheap parts and poor drivers. Someone get me enthused about Macs again! Apple will never fix this, recall the machines or patch the software. My Performa 630 DOS is more reliable, my G3 Powerbook more useful. Explain that?

Hmmmmmmmmm... just bought this macbook pro 15 in and im having the same problem all the time each 5-10 minutes, it constantly losing wirless connectivity!!!! omg i thought mac was the "great thing" but by looking at this forum ive realized that this issue has been here for over a year or more! so my first mac (1700dlls) doesnt works properly?? please someone explain this to me! how will i fix this, i cant play games, because i go wirless constanlty, i cant download big stuff, because it interrupts, i cant see videos or movies on internet!! someone knows what to do?? please tell me.

One of the first things to check is whether you have a wireless phone (not a cell phone) nearby to your wireless router. If so, the phone may be interfering with the router.

These wireless phones were designed for home and office use and remain very popular. However, those manufactured around 4 years ago use the 2.4 GH frequency. The DLink DIR-615 wireless router also uses 2.4 GH! Other wireless routers of the same vintage may also be using this frequency.

To determine if your wireless phone is at fault, I recommend relocating the phone and its base at least 3-4 meters away from your wireless router.

One of the first things to check is whether you have a wireless phone (not a cell phone) nearby to your wireless router. If so, the phone may be interfering with the router.

These wireless phones were designed for home and office use and remain very popular. However, those manufactured around 4 years ago use the 2.4 GH frequency. The DLink DIR-615 wireless router also uses 2.4 GH! Other wireless routers of the same vintage may also be using this frequency.

To determine if your wireless phone is at fault, I recommend relocating the phone and its base at least 3-4 meters away from your wireless router.

Apple does need to investigate why some router loose connectivity.

Look like for some reason the connection is dropped during idle networking.
Log output:
outputPacket: data connection is closed, dropping packetDropping packet
outputPacket: data connection is closed, dropping packetDropping packet
outputPacket: data connection is closed, dropping packetDropping packet

The sortof fix: (some time compatibly issue with apple really erks me. I dont mind buying all apple products because I like shiny things. But I can't expect everyone I vist with my laptop to have an Airport. All though its not all products there definitely seems to be a problem some of the newer routers. Particularly when connect over 802.11n)

I went through two routers Motorola Cable Modem with a builtin wireless and a Belkin N router. Both had issues. I tried different setting on both of them for a week then gave up. I switched to a Airport Extreme and the problem seem to be resolved. Connection is stable even after wakeup

I am on 10.6.2. Hope helps if you are planing on replacing you wireless gear.

Thanks
--Tony

Well, glad to see I'm not the only one with this problem. My Airport Express plays nicely with my MacBookPro at my place (although I swear this MBP is getting slower, I'm seeing the beach ball more and more - starting to think adding Snow Leopard might not have been a good move).
My friend has a new Netgear wireless device. But...every time I get on it at her place, I have to go to the room where the device is, and restart it. At least once every session, sometimes more. She sits there with her Sony VAIO laptop and says "It must be you, I'm fine!"
Guess we just have to wait for Apple to figure it out.

Hi Folks
Thanks for highlighting this problem, because I have the same experience too each time. I have 3 computers...2 pcs + my new MACBOOK PRO...details below. The desktop pc & my laptop pc both work effortlessly with netgear router; but when I obtained my Mac some 2 months ago, I've had nothing but trouble with connectivity. I've even had had my ISP out to check that all my existing connections are in good working order, and they are!

The Mac has detected my existing home network ok & works when it's connected, but when it's off, it won't reconnect without me having to restart the router each time...extremely frustrating; the other 2 computers continue to work without any problems whatsoever.

So Apple, please advise asap...this is a horrid slur on Apple I believe, if it's indeed a software error. Please someone help asap.

Secondly, the Apple demo videos that show you how applications work are constantly being interrupted when you start to play them...stop & start, stop & start, etc, etc, and in the end you just give up, frustrated & annoyed. I believe it's the same problem of network connectivity to the web, & sustaining it. It'd be helpful if Apple helps to resolve this or offer a solution. All please let me know if anyone else has had this experience this & how they've resolved it , if ever.
Thanks forum.
Gid Udoh

I have the same problem: MacBook White 2009. PC's have no problems but my MacBook looses wifi every 10 minutes. Apple hurry up this is very annoying.

We had a broadband provider for many years and never had any problems with our wireless connection. We changed provider to get a better deal and my Mac Book Pro started sporadically dropping the connection. Even though we could clearly see the connection and my wifes cheapo laptop never had any problems. It drove me mad, I tried everything. Moving furniture, anything that might effect the signal. Rang my provider, went through all their settings and tests nothing.

Then I logged into the router and changed the channel from 11 to 13 and 3 weeks on I have not dropped a single connection. Touch wood.

Annnnnd another name gets added to the list. I'm sure that when I try to post this the internet will have gone out and I'll have to turn off the airport only to turn it right back on to get internet again. This is kinda ridiculous. This is my first Mac. I was all excited for this. I am loving it but come on, it can't even stayed connected to the internet when my PC was fine. I could have bought like 4 pc laptops with the money I spent on this thing...all staying connected to the wireless internet just fine. I've never had this problem before.

With 55 pages of the same thing I want to know where Apple stands with this. I love this computer, but if the issue doesn't get fixed I lost a lot of faith in Apple and would definitely think twice in buying another one of their products. And I'm sorry, I shouldn't have to buy one of their wireless products for this to work or even move a portable phone that might be around.

Sooo Apple where are you? What's your fix on this issue that seems to have taken over for a year or so (I guess I should have done more research before buying this)? It's like Toyota...they know about a problem with their gas pedals and try to sweep it under the rug...I don't think anyone will get hurt from this but it causes a lot of frustration and faith.

fluxgirl wrote:
My friend has a new Netgear wireless device. But...every time I get on it at her place, I have to go to the room where the device is, and restart it. At least once every session, sometimes more. She sits there with her Sony VAIO laptop and says "It must be you, I'm fine!"

That means the bug is in her Netgear router, and only Netgear can fix it.

Well I am at a loss. I have replaced routers multiple times, Linksys, Netgeat, etc to no avail. I would think after 7000+ posts, a reasonable response from Apple would have been posted. Please help.

My 1 month old MacBook Pro was CONSTANTLY losing wireless connectivity. I was using a Netgear WNR2000 and kept adjusting it to no avail. Yesterday I purchased and setup a Netgear WNDR3700. I have my MacBook connected to the 5Ghz. N and haven't had a single problem. The connection is solid.

I have an ongoing issue with my DSL, it keeps dropping, randomly, sometimes once an hour, sometimes every 5 minutes. AT&T has been out here 3 times, they have replaced all the phone line from the road to my house, replaced the DSL filters with an external on the box, I have replaced my old westel modem with a new AT&T 2-Wire DSL modem and had all the wiring checked in my house.

It doesn't seem to drop when I am just using my Dell. When my Macbook Pro tries to connect to the time machine backup (which is does successfully) it seems to drop. I have the Airport Extreme connected via ethernet to the 2-Wire, but I have also tried turning off the Time Machine backup, unplugging the Airport Extreme, disabling the backup on my MBP, and connected the DSL modem directly to the outside box on my house with nothing else on and it still keeps dropping.

I have eliminated everything I can think of and every time I call AT&T they threaten me with an $80 fee just to come out. It is not a problem with my house wiring, my modem (just bought a second new 2-wire today, still drops the connection)?

I called AT&T DSL and a Level 2 Tech said he "thought" there was noise on the line but they could not (or would not) troubleshoot any farther because there was an appointment for someone to look at my phone line and they wouldn't do anything else until that was done (although they have already done that 3 times now).

Any suggestions at all? This has been going on for about a month and it driving me crazy. I am on AT&T's 6mb DSL FastAccess. My 2-Wire connection settings are below, but right now it is connected of course.

All I can do is turn off the airport and turn it back on like everyone else here? Where is the fix for this Apple?

AT&T DSL 2-Wire Modem 2701HG-8

it seems that in my particular case I was able to fix the connectivity issue (at least so far) by changing the AT&T 2-Wire DSL modem into bridge mode and using my Airport Extreme base station setup to handle the PPPoE exchange with AT&T. For some reason the old setup only got dumped by my MBP's but this is the more proper way to have it setup anyway (for any of those AT&T DSL 2-Wire modem plus Airport Extreme customers out there).