MacBook Air periodically 'forgets' its connection to WPA network

This does not fix the problem under WPA, there appears to be a manufacturing flaw with MacBook Air and WPA

I agree fully. Nothing I have done has enabled WPA. Only no encryption or WEP works.

I don't understand that Apple has not given a solution!

Ok this what I have done, by setting it to "Allow all applications to access this item"

It's the same thing. Every 10 - 40 mins it will automatically drop connection.

Once lost connection, the AirPort WON'T automatically connect back. I will have to manually go to the top right hand conner and select my Wireless Access Point again. Then the connection will be back. And after awhile it will just die.

I also have tried disabling my AP Wireless Network Security ( no WEP key, or WPA, or what so ever )

Also same result. 10 - 40 mins it will automatically disconnect


I'm quite worried is it a hardware or software problem. Because if it's a hardware issue i'll have to send my MacBook Air back to Apple ASAP, if not i think i will not be able to get a 1 to 1 replacement.

Have you tried logging out or restarting after making the change to "allow all apps..."?

Yes i did. Reset, delete everything and set to "allow all"

I've read in several different places online and in one Mac magazine article that this is a Leopard issue that Apple needs to fix. Not sure if that is correct or not, but the fact that others have experienced the same type of problem with machines other than the MBA suggests that this is a software issue. My guess is that Apple Tech Support would suggest a clean install of Leopard as the next step. If that doesn't fix the problem, then I'd take the MBA back for exchange or refund. Apple seems to be standing behind this product pretty well so I doubt that you'll be disappointed with their resolution to the problem.

I'd just like to add my findings. This is my first time on a discussion so be gentle.
My mba doesn't not drop it's wireless connection unless it goes to sleep. This is normal. However when it wakes it prompts me for a network as no "preferred networks" are found. My home network is in the preferred list but isn't recognized. I have disabled this prompt, now when the mba wakes or is tuned on I select my network from the drop down list. It connects without further prompt because the WPA password is in the key chain.
When at my local coffee house the network is recognizes immediately and connects. There is no wireless security !!
I think there is an Apple issue with the way WPA works on the mba.

As far as I can tell, Apple has made one official post on this subject and lays the problem at the feet of the wireless router being used (see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307288).

Have you tried holding down the shift key at startup to put the MBA into "safe mode", and once it boots, restarting immediately? Should be harmless to try (see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306879).

Another trick from an Apple Genius is documented in http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319.

"As far as I can tell, Apple has made one official post on this subject and lays the problem at the feet of the wireless router being used (see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307288)."

That doc talks about 802.11n networks. I have here 802.11g and had WPA working 100% with an iBook, iMac (Intel), Mini (Intel, c2d). The only system not working properly is the MBA!

Yep, I'm running a 802.1b/g wireless network off of a non-Apple router. Spoke with a couple of Apple techs today. One suggested a solution that involves setting the router to the g-band only. But how about something a little less technical?

My MBA would awaken from sleep with an indication of a signal in the menu bar icon and then lose the signal for a minute or so before showing the network again. This happened repeated with my MBA but not with my older MB or with my wife's iMac. Hmmm, looked like a bug with Leopard and the MBA. So we checked all the MBAs in our local Apple store, and they exhibited the same behavior as mine whereas none of the MBs, MBPs, or other Macs with Airport exhibited this curious behavior. OK, here it comes... The technician pronounced this as a "new feature", those code words for a bug. So we tried another Mac trick. We reset the PRAM and restarted my MBA. OK, now it behaves the same as my other Macs on my network.

Give it a try. Hope it helps.

OK, several hours later and the same problem is back. However, the Airport icon strength signal indicator dims for just a few seconds before reconnecting. So maybe this is a new feature with the MBA. The Apple technician explained that some people were reporting retention of network connections to networks no longer available upon awakening from sleep so maybe there's some scanning and refreshing of network access going on in my particular situation.

Ok i forgot to mention that i'm using 2Wire access point. WEP. B/G auto.

I have tried setting to G only no different.
I have tried using WPA also keep DC-ing
I have tried doing the shift-control-option + power on. Not helpping....
I have tried power on, shift and go into safe mode then restart. Also keep DC-ing

How.....

hi,

The wireless router is a new Airport Extreme. I don't think Apple can complain at the hardware. I will try the suggestions and get back to the discussion. Thanks.

Hey guys,

My problem's the same, but different set of circumstances.

I have a going on two year old MacBook (early run of the intel) and have the same random drop problem. However, I am on an unprotected network at home. It also happens occasionally at work, where it is also unprotected, but it still happens. I am on OS 10.4.11. I'm using a basic Linksys router. I know it's not the router because 19/20 times, the PS3 doesn't lose signal, nor does the other laptop in the house, only my Mac. Also, sometimes (like now) it seems that only iChat goes down and the web stays up, but most of the time it's both. I'd say thats more of a 9/10 times. Here's the further kicker -- went to keychain, I don't have any passwords set to network.

HELP!!

This is a software glitch and apple wont address it. I rum windows vista on one of my macs and it never loose signal if i go back to leopard its gone again it very frustrating to deal with this problem and there is no where I see that apple has has admitted that this is their problem and they should fix it.
This problem is on every mac forum its horrible.