Wireless Diagnostics Logs : Dropped WiFi connection. How do I interpret these log files?

I have been experiencing occasional WiFi dropped connections, so I used the Wireless Diagnostics tool to monitor the connection. While running the tool and having it log the connection I experienced a drop. The log files are cryptic. How can I analyze them? Is there a 3rd party tool? My computer is out of warranty. I'm trying to determine if the computer is the problem or the Access Point.


Thanks for your help.


MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 4, 2020 8:46 PM

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Apr 4, 2020 9:04 PM in response to Kappy

Here is another take on the problem. This is not mine but another user named below:


Tesserax

I am assuming that there must be some command file that is corrupted...

You may be onto something here...


Try the following on your MacBook, in order, until (hopefully) resolved:


Create a New User Account


  1. System Preferences > Accounts
  2. Click "+" to add a new account.
  3. Log off, and then, log back on with the new user account.
  4. Try connecting to a Wi-Fi network with your Mac's AirPort. See if it stays connected.
  5. If this resolves the problem, there may be something amiss with your current profile and will require further troubleshooting.
  6. If this does not resolve the problem, go ahead and log back into your normal account and go on to the next step.


Delete AirPort Keychain Entries


  1. Launch the "Keychain Access" application located in Applications/Utilities.
  2. In the windows on the left side: Select login for Keychains and "Passwords" for Category.
  3. Click on the "Kind" filter at the top, and look for any "AirPort network password" entries...and delete them.
  4. Close Keychain Access.


Delete & Add Back Preferred Network(s)


  1. System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
  2. Delete all entries under "Preferred Networks."
  3. Click on OK.
  4. System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
  5. Add the preferred network(s) using the "+" button.
  6. Click on OK.
  7. Restart or log out, and then, back in.
  8. If it works, then you are done.
  9. If not, go on to the next step.


Move System Configuration Files


  1. Quit any applications that are currently using Wi-Fi.
  2. Turn off Wi-Fi from the Wi-Fi icon on the macOS / OS X menu bar.
  3. Open Finder > Go > Go To Folder > Enter "/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/" into the Go to the folder window > Click on Go
  4. Locate and select the following files:
  5. Note: Files are macOS / OS X version specific, not all the following files are used in each version.
  6. com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
  7. com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist
  8. com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
  9. NetworkInterfaces.plist
  10. preferences.plist
  11. Move any matching files to the macOS / OS X Desktop. You can place them all in a folder as a backup. The "missing" files will be rebuilt after restarting the Mac.
  12. Reboot the Mac.
  13. Re-enable Wi-Fi from the Wi-Fi icon on the macOS / OS X menu bar.

Apr 4, 2020 8:58 PM in response to LisaLScccSLP

The log entries are intended for developers and Apple engineers. Unless you learned how to interpret them, they are of little value. If your Wi-Fi is dropping its connection, it may be for many reasons. Based on what you have reported it's impossible to know why you have the problem. You can try this:


A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences, if needed, after resetting the PRAM.
  6. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.  Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac and Playing Safe - what does Safe mode do?
  7. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  8. Repair permissions on the Home folderResolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  9. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  10. Download and Install the macOS Catalina 10.15.4 Combo Update.
  11. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Install OS X then click on the Continue button.
  12. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


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Wireless Diagnostics Logs : Dropped WiFi connection. How do I interpret these log files?

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