MacBook's Wireless range diminished

Hello all,

I have been reading this thread and I have a question for ya'll. What is the security settings that everyone is using on their routers. I know that the iPad was having the same issue with dropping and having a weak WiFi signal. Apple had stated that the routers should be set to WPA or WPA2. I did this and have had no issue with the signal. Just thought that ya'll might want to try that. Beings that everybody has tried so many things why not try putting your routers to WPA or WPA2. What could it hurt, and what is the worst that can happen? If this doesn't help then I am lost as to how to fix the problem.

This is hardware issue. It occurs regardless of operating system, security settings, or router settings. After a given period of time, the Airport card doesn't even recognize there are networks in the area, which is a sure sign that it is indeed a hardware issue.

Your thoughts on a fix are much appreciated though.

This is very interesting - I was about to post something about my Macbook wireless failing, and can't believe everyone else is having problems. My Macbook is from Aug. 09 - and I have to be in the same room as the router to get consistent wireless access. The weird thing is that it took almost a year for this problem to manifest itself. I was fine until about two months ago - I suspected my router was the problem, but after having that replaced, as well as my boyfriend having absolutely no problems with his Dell accessing the net from anywhere in the house, I'm sorry to say I think it's my Macbook. Any advice?

Side_Step, its just that I'm desperate at this point. My chain of events were: bring MacBook in for hardware & RAM upgrade, install Snow Leopard. Connections worked perfectly fine until that visit. I had the guys take my laptop apart (twice) to insure that the antenna wasn't jostled and that the airport card was sitting right. All fine. They have now volunteered to downgrade my OS for me, with no guarantee that it will fix things. Is it a coincidence that the airport card failed at the same time?

I'm going to fiddle with a few things this morning before bringing it in. I will definitely file a report with Apple. Thanks for your thoughts!

ctopanga wrote:
This is very interesting - I was about to post something about my Macbook wireless failing, and can't believe everyone else is having problems. My Macbook is from Aug. 09 - and I have to be in the same room as the router to get consistent wireless access. The weird thing is that it took almost a year for this problem to manifest itself. I was fine until about two months ago - I suspected my router was the problem, but after having that replaced, as well as my boyfriend having absolutely no problems with his Dell accessing the net from anywhere in the house, I'm sorry to say I think it's my Macbook. Any advice?

Send a feedback report to Apple through:

www.apple.com/feedback/

It's likely the only way we're going to get through to Apple on this problem, but this is of course, only if we have strength in numbers.

Well it was worth a try. I guess the best thing to do would be to get a new Airport card. If ya'll have gone over everything else then I would say it time to get new cards would you not agree? I know that I would hate to have to shell out the money, but if there is no other choice. There is one other thing that makes me think that its a setting on the router. If I am not mistaken one other person in this thread had already replaced the Airport card and still had the same issue. Would that not suggest that it is a setting issue with in the routers settings.

ironheadb3 wrote:
Well it was worth a try. I guess the best thing to do would be to get a new Airport card. If ya'll have gone over everything else then I would say it time to get new cards would you not agree? I know that I would hate to have to shell out the money, but if there is no other choice. There is one other thing that makes me think that its a setting on the router. If I am not mistaken one other person in this thread had already replaced the Airport card and still had the same issue. Would that not suggest that it is a setting issue with in the routers settings.

Not if that person has the same trouble with other routers/wireless hot spots. If he replaced the card and it didn't work, it could also be a problem with the logic board. I'm certain this is not a router issue. Thanks for the input though, much appreciated! 🙂

I just added my name to the growing list. MacBook Intel Core Duo 2 Gig running OS 10.4.11. Other neighborhood wireless bases are also invisible to this mac but my iBook G4 can still see all available. I sent the particulars to Apple as was suggested by others. Hope there is a solution found soon.

Ok, I'll just through in another "I'm having the same problem too, no way!" statement. I have a 2006 macbook, and it's been having wireless problems for a few years now and I've just lived in constant frustration. I'm pretty sure though that the wireless card was new just before the issue arose, so I don't know if getting a new one would help (I'm investigating that now).
But, has anyone tried getting an external wireless antenna? If it is a problem with the antenna then wouldn't this help? That was the solution that I was toying around with when I found this thread. Thoughts?

In theory, it would work, if the antenna is the problem. But if the card itself (or the logic board) is the problem, you likely wouldn't get any results.

If you haven't already, report the problem to Apple via:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

I'd suggest leaving a report for BOTH Mac mini and MacBook as they use the same card, and may increase our chances of having this problem rectified.

Thanks for the input. 🙂

Okay, I'll join the "me too!" crowd.

MacBook Pro, early 2006. I had some problems fixed at the Genius Bar (dead hard drive and top lid replaced for a bad trackpad). When I got it back, aside from the Airport antenna being taped down with Scotch tape (which it wasn't before I took it in), all seemed well for a few weeks. But after a month or two, I noticed the aggravating Airport drops. I'm 99.777% sure it's the card or antenna, as my other devices on the network have no problems. Also, I've taken my USB NetGear WG111v3 WiFi device from my Windoze PC and connected it to my MacBook Pro (along with installing the NetGear client), and it works like a charm (it's how I'm connected right now).

After reading this thread, it seems that the 2006 Airport cards are the problem (although it could be the antenna). I am going to buy another Airport card and install it to see if that fixes the problem. I went ahead and left feedback with Apple @ www.apple.com/feedback right before posting here.

What really gets my goat is that I truly LOVE Apple's products, but I've had more trouble with this 4 year old, $2500 laptop than with my 6 year old, $500 HP laptop. I'm sticking with Apple regardless, but I've never heard of a wireless card failing in just under 4 years. Oh, well.

I'll update when I get and install the new Airport card and let y'all know how it goes!

Best of luck with the Airport card replacement! If the problem persists after said operation, I guess it's narrowed down to a logic board problem.

Further to my earlier post on this thread, I decided that rather than tearing my hair out trying to sort out this problem with my '06 Macbook, I simply bypassed the Airport card problem by using a simple £9 Edimax USB wireless connector 🙂

Peace at last.........untill I buy a new Macbook in the Autumn 🙂

Umm Thats cool. Is this the one? I will get it in a heart beat!

http://www.edimax.com/en/producedetail.php?pl1_id=1&pl2_id=44&pl3_id=161&pdid=347

Hi,

It is this one: Edimax Wireless Mini-size Nic Network Card 150mbps USB Ew-7711utn

It's tiny and works perfectly 🙂

http://www.edimax.co.uk/en/producedetail.php?pd_id=280&pl1_id=1&pl2id=44