2012 MacBook Pro WiFi

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2012 MacBook Pro WiFi

So I have a puzzle for anyone to try and figure out because I am stumped. I have a 2012 MacBook Pro that just recently started having WiFi issues where it will

sporadically stop working. I know I should probably just buy a new laptop but I’d rather wait.

The WiFi indicator turns into a blank triangle. I attempt to turn WiFi on via network preferences- it says it is on. I have tried upgrading my Mac, currently on macOS Catalina 10.15.7 and it still happens.

if I open up my laptop and disconnect all of the wires to the WiFi card and then reconnect them, it usually fixes the problem for about a day, maybe 2. Could it be a hardware issue?

if I restart my computer it fixes the problem for a few hours.

sometimes it seems like every time I move my laptop it disengages the WiFi, although I have no idea why that would be unless it is a loose wire.

anyways, if anyone has any tips I’m all ears, thanks for reading!

-Tim

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 22, 2021 9:26 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Level 9

68,606 points

Jan 25, 2021 9:41 AM in response to Twbrierley

The WiFi card connects to another board and/or ribbon flex cable. Did you reseat this cable to the Logic Board? Is there any signs of liquid residue or corrosion on the WiFi card, or on the Logic Board especially around the WiFi card or the optical drive or near the back vents?

If the WiFi hardware is not appearing in the System Profiler, then you most likely have a hardware issue (especially if a clean install of macOS has the same issue). If everything looks physically Ok, then the WiFi card would be the most likely item that is bad, although after recent experiences with bad hard drive and trackpad flex cables I am not certain although I've never had to replace flex cable for the WiFi before.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,606 points

Jan 22, 2021 7:39 PM in response to Twbrierley

Do you have the Retina or non-Retina model?

Does the WiFi card hardware show up in the Apple System Profiler when you start having problems?

Do you have the same issue when booted into Safe Mode?

Try running the Apple Diagnostics.

Here is an Apple article for troubleshooting WiFi issues:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202663

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Answer 3

Twbrierley Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 25, 2021 8:07 AM in response to HWTech

So I don’t have the retina model.

Once the problem starts the WiFi card does not show up, when I look up the WiFi info it just says “null”

I have tried safe mode after reading another blog post and I can boot it up but I’m not really sure if I understand the point of safe mode? Once I open my laptop with safe mode what am I supposed to do?

and I have tried the troubleshooting and haven’t yet figured out why it keeps happening.

the only thing I have figured out so far is that if I open up the bottom of my laptop and disconnect and then reconnect everything it seems to temporarily fix it.

but I’ll continue going through the troubleshooting and see if any of that helps!

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2012 MacBook Pro WiFi

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