MacBookPro can't get IP address from a Secured Wi-Fi router DHCP

Question

Pawwwww Author

Level 1

5 points

MacBookPro can't get IP address from a Secured Wi-Fi router DHCP

My MacBook works well from 2014 until Nov, 2018.

One night no power off and can't connect to the Wi-Fi.

IP address as 169.254.X.X; this is not a correct one. no mater with the Router DHCP or Manual setting IP.

But it can connect to unsecured Wi-Fi, so I set a Guest channel for this topic posting.

I tried as bellow:

Reinstall Mac OS, no effect
Reset NVRAM, no effect
Delete the Wi-Fi configuration and all the location, no effect.
Hard Reset the Wi-Fi router, MacBookPro can connect to the unsecured Wi-Fi, setting the router and add password, it can work ok for about 1 day, next time boot the MacBook, it still can't connect.

is this a common problem for MacBookPro when used more than 3 years?

MacBook Pro 13", 10.14

Posted on Feb 17, 2019 8:20 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 21, 2019 8:22 AM in response to Pawwwww

Hi again, Pawwwww !

Hmmmm... have you tried a safe boot? That would be holding down the shift key while booting to a login screen or your desktop. This will kill all third-party processes and allow only stock Apple processes to run. Try safe booting and then try your w-fi again.

Please let us know what happens after you safe boot.

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Answer 2

Feb 22, 2019 3:56 PM in response to Ruskes

That range of Self-assigned IP addresses starting with 169.254 is Not reserved by Microsoft (except maybe in their sheltered view of the world) and has nothing to do with Microsoft.

When an Internet device power up, it self-assigns a pseudo-random IP address from that range so that it can be uniquely identified. Then it sends out a broadcast request for an operating IP address. The Router responds with a message for the self-signed IP address station, containing a good local Address via DHCP, so that its packets will be bale to be Routed.

When you find you have a self-assigned IP Address, it means, "no one will send me a good IP address. I am stuck with this one."

These problems are typically caused by simple physical problems like broken wires in cables, or can not hear the Router reply because it is too far away.

It is possible that more complex configuration issues might sometimes cause this, but that is not generally the case. Usually when this happens, and you chase configuration issues, you are over-thinking the problem.

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Using a "hidden" SSID provides NO additional security, and makes getting an IP address more complex for no benefit. Hackers are ready wiling and able to detect your network even if it has a hidden SSID, and you may not be able to specify to connect to your network as easily. Hidden SSID punishes ONLY you.

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Answer 3

Pawwwww Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 22, 2019 1:40 AM in response to Buster_From_Oak_Park

Hi, Bro!

today I tired:

1: safe boot Mac by press “shift” key, in safe mode it still can’t use secured WiFi.

2: install Win10 for Mac, in windows system, it still can’t get correct IP from a secured WiFi router.

I am not familiar with Wi-Fi network protocol stack, but I think it should be some problem on the airport card network layer. Been hacked or invalided?

I will do action as bellow:

1: use a extract WiFi card for windows system.

2: got a latest MacBook Pro WiFi card which can support 1Gigabit network speed.

thanks for your and guys helping, I will also share my troubleshooting progress here.

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Answer 4

Feb 19, 2019 7:29 AM in response to Pawwwww

Maybe you set up Mac Address filtering in your router. Turn it off. Maybe the DHCP scope is not large enough, check it.

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Answer 5

Pawwwww Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 22, 2019 1:04 PM in response to Ruskes

Hi,Ruskes.

after my entering the correct password for the secured Wi-Fi, there is an exclamation in the Wi-Fi icon. And the IP address is 169.254.X.X.

I excluded the hardware failure by using Win10 system on this MBP. It related to the IPV6 under Win10 system. Close IPV6 under Win10 that is OK.

I tried to close IPV6, close IPV6 secured address , these actions did not work under Mac OS 10.14 of this MBP.

I will rollback the MacOS to old version.

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Answer 6

Feb 22, 2019 5:17 PM in response to Ruskes

The OP reports the 169.254.X.X.

How does it get it ?

Did you read the article I linked to? He gets it because he is using DHCP and there is no DHCP server responding to provide a valid local IP Address. So 169.254.x.x is the standard used by all DHCP clients when a valid IP Address is not assigned. 169.254.x.x is assigned to itself by the device asking for a valid IP Address.

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Answer 7

Ruskes

Level 4

1,421 points

Feb 18, 2019 8:37 AM in response to Pawwwww

Hi

you have done some many repair attempt already

It looks like it is not Hardware since it can connect to Guest Networks!!

Only when you have to use WiFi login password it does not work.

Please confirm this: You can see the WiFi but after your enter the password nothing happens ?

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Answer 8

Ruskes

Level 4

1,421 points

Feb 22, 2019 12:11 PM in response to Pawwwww

Thank you

this discussion is getting long, so I might have missed that part.

So you can see the WiFi in question and when you click on it it asks you for log in info, after that what happens.

Meanwhile you can use the no password WiFi.

Does it work when you use a Ethernet cable (no password required for that)

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Answer 9

Ruskes

Level 4

1,421 points

Feb 17, 2019 8:36 PM in response to Pawwwww

Hi

I learned that sometimes it helps if you just set up new "Location" then add your WiFi to it.

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Answer 10

Feb 19, 2019 7:59 AM in response to Pawwwww

Hi again, Pawwwww !

Would your MacBook Pro happen to authenticate to an Active Directory or Open Directory server?

I note you said you re-installed the MacOS, but have you backed up the MacBook Pro, erased the hard drive, then re-installed the MacOS?

What version of the MacOS do you have installed?

Exactly which MacBook Pro model do you have?

Thank you in advance !

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Answer 11

Pawwwww Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 20, 2019 10:59 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Mac addresses filter not applied, and also theDHCP IP space is more than 100.

this issue special, hard reset router, MacBook can connect to the router and setup the WPA2 password, then the Wi-Fi connection is secured, but it will failure on the Wi-Fi’s secured connect after reboot MacBook.

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Answer 12

Pawwwww Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 20, 2019 11:18 PM in response to Buster_From_Oak_Park

My MacBook Pro made in 2014 mid, retina, 13-inch. Latest Mojave Ver: 10.14.3

is there any airport card inside this MacBook Pro?

I has tried press “Option” when bootup, enter Wi-Fi pass word at “boot disks selection screen”, the secured Wi-Fi works well. But it will loss connection when enter the desktop.

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