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Time Capsule Loses Internet Connectivity

Time Capsule 1T, connected to a Cisco DPC3000 Cable Modem, 60Mbps connection, using DHCP.

I had my Time Capsule working perfectly, until I installed update 7.4.2. After that, the Time Capsule loses internet connectivity every once in a while, especially after inactivity periods (several hours), and even though the green light still shows, I cannot connect to the web.

If I either do a restart through Airport Utility or unplug and plug the Time Capsule everything goes back to normal and Internet connectivity is restablished.

Trying to roll back to 7.4.1 to see if this disappears, but wanted to check if anybody else experienced this behavior and found a different solution than rolling back the firmware version.

Thanks!

Rodrigo

MacMini 2.4, MacBook 2.4, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 11, 2009 4:17 AM

Reply
23 replies

Aug 11, 2009 6:40 AM in response to rmabreu

Yep having exactly the same problem, since upgrading to 7.42. First sign no internet connectivity, then when I check network connection, network appears & I'm asked to enter password. This times out, then the network disappears from Airport when I redo the search. Have to unplug & reboot the Time Capsule everytime. This can happen several times each day. Its the same problem whether I'm using my Mac Book Pro or iMac.
Try factory resetting the Time Capsule but to no avail.

So you're not alone.

James

Dublin

Aug 14, 2009 12:54 PM in response to James Mc Guire

Well, actually a couple of days later I saw that rolling back to 7.4.1 did not solve the issue. When connected directly to my 60M connection, using DHCP and TC in router mode, the problem persisted, and the TC lost internet connection several times a day and there was a need for restarting.

I changed the connection to a different DHCP connection, this time using a different broadband feed (I have two cable modems at home, 60M and 12M), and used the TC in bridge mode behind a Cisco 871 router. Everything now works great and no loss of connectivity since then.

Not sure if problem is with TC in router mode or with my Docsis3 Cable modem, maybe some type of connection persistence and keepalive. Anybody with a hint??

Tks.

Rodrigo

Aug 14, 2009 6:13 PM in response to rmabreu

I think I am having this same problem. My computer keeps getting dropped from the time capsule connection. If I go to the airport icon at the top of the menu bar, and re-select my connection, if connects and everything works for a while.

I started having trouble backing up for some reason as well, but that seems to be cleared up. I never had any issues until all of a sudden this started happening.

Also, my Roku can no longer connect. I used to watch HD movies flawlessly. This stinks. If anyone figures out the issue, I will be happy. The good thing about Apples used to be that everything worked well together easily...

Aug 17, 2009 4:01 PM in response to Jdub13

Similar problem here. My software is up to date, I'm running 7.4.2. but now it's always a panic to know when I turn on or return to my machine whether my internet connection is going to work or not.

When I run a network diagnostic, I am told all is well connecting to my ISP but I have no connection to the internet or server. Sometimes this is cleared by restarting the modem and then then Time Capsule, (several times) but even this is hit and miss.

I had begun to think it might be my ISP, but the connection works fine via ethernet, leaving the Time Capsule as the problem. Up until now this and my previous base station were seamless, even back when I used to use a dial up.

Anyone with any ideas would be appreciated as it's driving me round the twist. Thanks in advance.

Aug 18, 2009 1:23 AM in response to rmabreu

Having the same issue here. I have tested several theories with our internet provider to no accord. The best we could do was to replace the modem which worked for a while but connection was gone again in the morning.

To help diagnose the problem please open Network Utility and ping a website. See if there is packet loss. If not, we can assume you are on the net without issue. Note the speeds (in ms). Also go to dslreports.com/stests and test your connection speed. Packet loss will appear as slow speeds or seemingly no connection. You will want to keep track of this. Now, if you contact your internet provider and they ping your modem they will most likely tell you you are connected. The issue now becomes either a cable, computer or router problem.

Here is a question for everyone with this problem. What network are you on? b, g, or n? I am finding that even though the Time Capsule is broadcasting in each only our b and g networks are affected. Any machine connected via the N network runs as designed. We need to determine why the other networks lose connectivity.

I have alternately set up the guest access to allow the affected machines rather than providing them timed access via their MAC address and it seems to be working. I am not happy with this arrangement but as I said it seems to be working for the time being.

I would appreciate if everyone with this issue post as much detail of their setup, when this appeared, etc. (without compromising their security).

Aug 21, 2009 5:40 PM in response to treehut

I'm running 10.5.8 and 7.4.2 on the base station on an N configuration. I'm still having no luck at all. It's very much a lottery as to whether my wireless works and then for how long.

I only seemed to get these problems after the two updates and when I use my machine on the other wireless networks, I don't have any of these problems. It's not even just when my machine goes to sleep, I can be in the middle of surfing one thing and it's fine and then open another window and bang, no more internet.

It has taken me 40 mins just to get it working to come here to see if there was a solution.

Aug 21, 2009 7:36 PM in response to rmabreu

Just curious..... have any of you tried messing with changing the channel the Time Capsule uses for wireless? Try channel 4 instead of 11 or something. It will be in the advanced settings in the airport utility. It only takes a few seconds to do so even if you think that isn't it, it still wouldn't hurt to try.

Your guys problems worry me a tad. I don't have TC yet but have been seriously considering getting it. I need a backup device and currently I have a Netgear router , b & g only so I can't take full advantage of the speedy N standard on my macbook.
I know on my Netgear router I had very similar problems as all you for some time. I switched channels and my problems went away. Probably had some new interference from neighbors or new device in my apartment that wasn't there before.

It would suck if I were to shell out the $$ for TC and have annoying problems like this.

Sep 6, 2009 4:45 PM in response to rmabreu

Looks like I am joining this club.

I updated to 7.4.2 last week and have been experiencing constant random network outages ever since. Some backups are completing, some are not. When it acts up, it's like the box has disappeared and nothing gets through. No Internet and no Intranet.

My setup has an airport extreme wired to it for another area of the house. The airport extreme maintains a solid wireless connection, but the TC box is gone.

Apple support had me change my wifi channel of the TC box even though it's not used in my setup, but he believed it should solve the problem. Not likely. There is nothing like having a solid WiFi connection, but Airport Utility cannot find the TC box.

Good times.

Sep 7, 2009 8:13 AM in response to Darren 2007

Same problem here: our TC periodically stops routing traffic to the Internet. We have ours setup to extend an AE wireless network that is N only. Our TC is the first generation, without the dual-band capability. Both AE and TC are running 7.4.2.

This morning the TC had stopped working again, and the light was flashing yellow. Could not see it using the Airport Utility to check its error condition, though. After unplugging and plugging back in, it seems to be back up and running normally — for now. The AE was fine the whole time.

Are people seeing this problem with the new dual-band TC devices, too? If our TC is about to die, I’m wondering if upgrading would solve the problem.

Sep 7, 2009 8:43 AM in response to rmabreu

I've had the same problem before on an Airport Extreme Base Station. I think my solution for that machine might help you. First, send your Time Capsule back to its factory settings. Then physically connect it to your computer for the set-up process. Once your set-up is complete -- disconnect your ethernet cable between your computer and time capsule. Go wireless!

I've been considering purchasing a time capsule for my network, that's why I'm on this board. The idea of remote file sharing, printer sharing, guest network services, not to mention back-ups ease, just sounds too good to be true. I'll read on to see what you guys say about it overall.

The internet loss or intermittent directly after an Apple "upgrade" is a common problem leading to similar complaints. Apple ought to make it simpler for its wireless product customers. Good luck!

Sep 25, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Darren 2007

I ended up getting a replacement unit for my TC as it eventually complained of overheating after being unplugged for 8 hours and stopped taking updates.

The connectivity problem has remained with the new Time Capsule (TC) and I am seeing it on my Airport Extreme (AX) as well. A simple test...

A) Mac wire connected to cable modem = good performance
B) Mac wire connected to TC or AX (Wifi is disabled on router) then to cable modem = good performance
C) Mac wire connected to TC or AX (Wifi is enabled on router) then to cable modem = awful upload performance and packet loss

I am still digging into this, but so far, when any Apple router (TC or AX) has Wifi enabled, a simple ping test to yahoo.com jumps from 40ms to 2000ms. Turn off wifi and it's back to 40ms.

Time Capsule Loses Internet Connectivity

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