Keep losing internet connection

I think I have found my problem. My 2 Imac's are at 2 ends of my home. The failing 21" unit is 80 feet away and in a SOHO room. It had a Vtech 2.4GHz phone and station located in this room. I replaced this with a land line phone and this unit in this room has not failed since.

The land line phone I swapped was at the other end of the house next to my 27" Imac. I now have this Vtech phone just 4 feet away. Today, I took a call and this Imac's wifi locked up and required a reboot.

The problem is defined here:
<http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1365>

...Chili

There are many variables when it comes to wireless networking, interference, software and even hardware. It is not exactly easy to always pinpoint something without knowing every detail. Sometimes additional wireless routers are needed to extend it's range depending on distance and other variables.
Your neighbor next door could even be running on the same channel as you which could also cause a problem. Go figure.

+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?+

Just thought I'd chime in and say that this worked for me, too. I've had wireless connectivity problems since I got my iMac a few months ago. My computer wouldn't remember my WPA password, and I'd have to turn my AirPort off and back on half a dozen times a day in order to restore my connection. After more than 24 hours, it now appears to be working as it should!

Thanks, Phil.

I have 3 Macs which lose their airport connection at about the same time every night. After about 30 minutes I turn the airport off and then back on again. Then, all come back on-line.

It is the OS 10.6.3 ..and not your router.

Looks like its the OS as I have multiple Apple and non-Apple (Vista, phones, PS3) hooked up to the Airport Extreme base station. And only the recently purchased iMac is having this problem. The base station configuration has remained unchanged for years and it works without problems (which is a good thing about most Apple stuff).

Further update. iMac when started up today did not find the airport base station and then found it a minute later. Did not reconnect automatically although set to remember the last network connected. Rebooting did not resolve the issue.

I tried 'renew DHCP' from the iMac and that solved the problem immediately. From the airport utility I could see a DHCP lease from the previous day but I suppose somehow it was not working. Strange but this only confirms what is likely a software issue.

By the way in case anyone is wondering iStumbler was used to make sure my network is on a different channel from the other wifi networks and separated by at least 3 channel numbers to minimise potential interference.

i have a 27 inch imac i7, connected wirelessly through time capsule, isp= at&t, internet works fine but when transferring files to macbook air or getting files, internet drops, and when imac syncing to apple tv and watching a movie, the internet drops again sometimes im lucky the internet stays, but i have to disconnect the time capsule and reconnect again for internet, any solutions out there?

I've been trawling through all of these threads as my iMac had been fine since I got it five months ago. However, in the last few days it has been dropping the internet connection whenever sleeping and on the odd occasion as I was watching tv online. Also, if I did a network check my download speed was good until I started downloading. It then just died away to nothing.

Anyway, I tried just about everything suggested but nothing worked. I then came across one thread where someone suggested going into System Preferences, clicking Energy Saver and unchecking the Wake for Network Access. Yep, it seems to have worked for me. Haven't dropped a connection in the last 24 hours.

If it's that simple for you too then great!

Let us know if it works.

Regards
Paul

bburt wrote:

+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?+

Just thought I'd chime in and say that this worked for me, too.

An update: this has improved, but not fixed my problem. It seemed to be all better for a couple of days, but has been reverting back to its previous behaviour - dropping my wireless connection repeatedly in the first hour or so that the computer is running each day. Turning my Airport off, then back on again will reconnect, but is a pain in the neck.

Is Apple going to address this problem?

I'm having the same problem... One thing I do notice is there is a certain network which always appears in the network listing whenever I have this problem. But what ever is causing it is VERY annoying as I have to wait to reestablish connection or reboot to get it to work. I don't understand why I suddenly lose the connection (ie. The Airport Bars are in the top menu but they are greyed out.) The only thing which seems to be consistent is the same network is always up when I encounter this problem. Anyone??? Thanks!

That sounds more like an interference problem w someone nearby using the same channel as you.
Try switching channels on your base station. I would also read the post further down about the energy saver pref. I would also uncheck "wake for network access" unless you really need that service running.
I will not effect your time machine for back ups .. I have checked that already. If you use your system profiler app. (in Apps/utilities folder, or select about this mac "more info") scroll down to your Network/airport .. you will see who is using what around you and what network, security, channels, etc. they are using. Make any necessary adjustments from what is see listed there.

~ xtech

I also noticed that the iMac is exceptionally sensitive to interference. My other computers and PS3 do not show such problems. My airport disconnect now happens like once every other day instead of a couple of times a day by just repositioning wireless peripherals and so on around the iMac.

The problem is not confined to wireless connections. I use a ethernet network and my 27" iMac & MacbookPro are both dropping their connection to the Internet.

When the connection is dropped Network Diagnostics show me as connected to the ISP but not to the Internet. Rebooting the Modem/Router usually cures the problem after a bit of a wait & I get the message 'Network Change detected. Your Network configuration has changed'. I'm using DCHP with manual IP addresses.

This was not a problem when I first had my Macbook & suspect also it may coincide to the update to 10.6.3. Does anyone have a date for that update?

Keep in mind also that those iMac 27's only shoot out your wireless signal out of the Apple logo on the back. The metal enclosure of the unit makes that signal poor in nature. You could try to reposition your 27 more towards the wireless routers position.

I would recheck you network settings and establish a new Location ... drag Airport in the list to the very top. Check your keychain for multiple entries. Restart you computer.