You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

27" imac wifi problems (intermittant)

I really wish Apple had email or online support...

I have a 27" i5 imac that I bought just before Christmas, I had lots of problems with the wifi on it, it would not connect and when it did it was very slow, all while my macbook and iphone in the same room showed full signal and a fast rock solid connection. I rang Apple support, it took ages but they were very helpful and eventually we solved it and in the end it seemed to be WPA that was the problem and whilst I was not happy switching to WEP it seemed to work so I went with it.

Fast forward a month or so and I have started having problems again, it is fine when I boot but as the day goes on it gets slower and slower before finally refuses to connect at all. I am wondering if this could be something over-heating but in truth I am puzzled.

Anybody else having issues?

imac i5 27" and macbook, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 21, 2010 3:11 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 21, 2010 5:31 PM

I am having the same exact problem. Bought a 27 inch iMac about a month ago, the wireless connection was a little slow off the bat, but then I was able to fix it. Recently after turning it on the signal is picked up fine for about 15 minutes and then all of a sudden the airport can no longer pick up any wireless network. Meanwhile my iPhone and MacBook have no issues. I called apple support and they had me complete a litany of useless diagnostic tasks - emptied my cache, did a hard reboot, repaired disk permissions , etc. None of it helped. Seems it's a hardware issue. Anyone know if this is a known issue with this model? I'm afraid the airport card itself may be defective in some way.
443 replies

Feb 19, 2013 6:51 AM in response to neil74

Ok, I'm having the same issue here... Has anybody notice that the wifi drop when time machine starts?

My wifi stops working but it shows all the bars like it was working. All the browsers, skype, google drive and dropbox disconect. the only way to reconnect is to DEACTIVATE wifi and REACTIVATE it. many many times everyday since 5 weeks.


Jesus $%?#* Christ, can some one help me fix this, i need to be connected for my business to work!


i have apple care, called them and did all the repair permission tricks... no succes.


help!

Feb 20, 2013 11:28 AM in response to neil74

I suffered with this for several months last year then it suddenly cleared up. I did nothing at all to my settings or my WiFi router. I keep trying to think what changed and the only thing I can put my funger on is that the local pub (two doors away) changed their WiFi and installed a BT Hub. Occasionally my iMac tries to connect to the pub's WiFi but I soon get round that. I have had two instances since then when it wouldn't connect but I soon sorted it out by refreshing the connection.


I am no fool. I realise it could return any time. So....Best wishes to all who are trying to find a solution. AndI will keep my fingers crossed for you all and hope Apple sort this out.


Alan


PS Helpstonharv - I assume you live in Helpston. I used to live in nearby Glinton but have friends in Helpston. I now reside in Somerset: I prefer the hills!!

Feb 25, 2013 7:40 PM in response to neil74

I have the 21 inch iMac running 10.8.2. At first I thought it was my internet provider or my Apple router BUT everything else in my house (11 inch MacBook Air, iPad, iPhone on wifi, etc.) work fine. There is no way I can stain on wifi more than five minutes and then it freezes. I have to click on the wifi icon on the menu bar (which always shows max signal) and turn off wifi and then immediately turn it back on and the problem clears for a few minutes at the most. The MacBook Air and everything else around here NEVER have this problem. *** Apple? This thing is gonna go back!

Mar 11, 2013 11:46 AM in response to neil74

It's shocking that Apple haven't fixed this. I have the same issue that everyone describes several times a day, it's infuriating. I'm so tired of Apple's "refuse to acknowledge the problem until we have a fix" approach. Whenever I've had a problem with any Apple product, it is ignored until a software update magically appears that fixes it, or until a class action lawsuit provokes a response. It's a really insulting way to treat your customers.


For what it's worth, mine's a 27", Mid 2011 iMac connecting to an older Time Capsule, 5GHz 802.11n only, on channel 48. All of my neighbours are using 2.4GHz wireless, not one device nearby is interfering, and yet the problem still occurs. The problem doesn't occur at all when my iMac is running Windows, so it's clearly a problem with OS X (I'm running 10.8.2)


The following devices are running fine with no wifi issues whatsoever:

  • iPhone 5
  • Apple TV
  • 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display
  • 13" MacBook Pro
  • iPad 2


This needs fixing, but first it need acknowledging. Having issues like this completely ignored is really pathetic.

27" imac wifi problems (intermittant)

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.