I have a 27 inch iMac that I bought just after they came out. I will be connected to the internet just fine and then all of sudden I lose internet connectivity. I got up and click the airport icon and it doesn't list any networks. If I restart my computer I can connect again for a day or two before this happens again.
I have a MacBook Pro 13 running 10.6.3 and it's doing exactly the same thing as you guys describe. Staying connected to the wireless network but loosing all internet connectivity.
I think it could either be down to the latest update or it not liking WEP encryption, as I've recently switched from the newer WPA.
Wow .. everyone here has a Airport wireless problem! gulp ..
First thing I would do is check for any interference with 2.4GHz phones, microwaves, thick brink walls, metal doors, etc. if possible (and I know all do not have 802.11N routers yet so we can skip that part)
Next I would check your keychains for the wireless setting .. look here > Finder: Applications => Utilities => Keychain Access.. sometimes multiple entries can be created open them write down or take a screen shot of the settings. Old wireless entries could exist also .. delete those that are not needed.
Try to change your wireless channel .. believe it or not your neighbor right next door might be on the same channel .. avoid the channels that are one higher and one lower of your channel default simply because your router is designed to jump up or down one. (802.11n only mode users can skip this - channel 149 is the only default)
Still no luck - make sure your have added a new network location in your network locations list. (DO NOT delete Automatic) Airport should be on top of the list (mouse click hold and drag to rearrange them up and down) 😉 and let's say drop ethernet second on list if you use both. (vice-a-verse if you main Mac is Ethernet and do wireless stuff on say a MacBook, MBP, occasionally, etc.
I personally like to keep just one entry - Since I use Airport .. I only have Airport in my network preference list .. just hit the ➕ plus sign to add a new location .. name it something like "My Airport" or "Home Wireless", etc. Then move Airport to very top of the list and delete all the rest with the ➖ minus sign. So now as you look at your network locations (Apple menu > Locations) you should only see Automatic and My Airport, or Home Wireless listed there. TIP: This is were you add
more location WIFI hotspots, cafes, the real airports, starbucks, hotels .. you know the rest! See once they are added and you begin to move around (mobile users) then you switch it back to Automactic which then automatically picks up that internet connection. (Thus Apple's reason for calling it automatic!) Yahoo .. we got it so far?
As a last resort for troubleshooting .. one could try this .....
Backup - Copy it by dragging this file to desktop (do not trash or place in trash can)
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist file, then delete it. Reboot. Tiger, Leopard, S Leop. will create a new AirPort preferences file with a single entry with your current wireless base station. If all works fine after restarting and maybe waiting a week or two
then either save the file somewhere or trash it should you not care because problem is resolved!
Let me know if any steps work ... and do not be afraid to contact your ISP for any changes and let them know you still have an issue. (Especially AT&T's UVerse gateways) Your might ask if they could clear the DNS cache on their end but ask them what it will do first .. take notes. 😉
I 'm having second thoughts about this .. quite a few people have complained to me about the same issue. Maybe it's possible some of the iMacs really do have possible faulty chips or just some sort of wireless software hiccup that needs some tweaking.
Hello,
Newbie here, I too have this same problem.
As soon as the connection to my router goes down (Netgear DG834GT supplied by my ISP Sky) I turn off AirPort & then turn back on again, all works fine again for a while. My AirPort signal strength always shows 4 or 5 bars even when the problem shows.
All seemed fine until about a month ago, possibly until the last software update, is it possible to revert back to previous software version ? (just to try & eliminate one other variable).
I have a Ubuntu netbook & Win7 😟 laptop on the same network & both work fine.
I am NOT a newbie, as I have been using Apple computers and products since the Apple IIe. I have a Intel iMac that cannot maintain a wireless connection to my Time Capsule. Sitting right next to this iMac is my MacBook Pro, which has NO problem staying connected to our wireless network. My wife's MacBook, which she uses all over the house, has no problem staying connected. Neither does my iPhone or my iPad.
My iMac always shows a full-strength signal. When it loses the signal, I just have to "Turn Airport Off" then on again, and the signal comes back. Not a big deal, just a hassle.
I check back in these forums monthly
hoping someone has a solution for the iMac connectivity issue. I keep my fingers crossed when Apple provides an update.
Hello,
I may have a solution(at least my iMac has been ok for 30Hrs+).
I also posted on another forum & this was an answer I got.
+would suggest you to delete your network from the preferred networks list on your Mac. In Network Preferences, select AirPort, and start out by turning off the AirPort card. Then click Advanced, select the first tab in the overlaid window. Remove your network using the - sign, click Ok, then Apply. With AirPort still off, go to Keychain Access, delete the password for your network. Restart the computer, turn AirPort back on, rejoin your network and authenticate. Put the computer to sleep from or using Hot Corners, wait 5-10 minutes, maybe 30 or overnight, and wake it back up. Does it work?+
I did this and found my router was in Keychain twice once under "login" & once under "system" but with different modified dates.
After doing the above I seem to be OK (hope I haven't spoken too soon)
I did that 2 weeks ago also, it seems I had more entries listed in the login keychain than
the system keychain. But everything seems fine and had worked now without a problem
ever since!
It seems that all the problems are occurring only with intel iMacs that ran the Snow Leopard
software updates for 10.6.3 .. humm. Apple should really check into this because quite
a few people are having all the same issues here .. not good.
Same prob here. Just on one of the 24inch iMacs and 1 MacBook. And about the same time every evening. I just GAF it and wait for them to make a comeback.
Most likely the OS because my issue was fixed. If your router was running just fine before the 10.6.3 update then you know. It will not matter if it's a MBP, iMac, etc. as long as wireless is involved here.
