Spectrum wifi signal keeps dropping (IPV4 vs IPV6 Issue???)

Laptops: MacBook Pro, running BigSur 11.6, Dell, Levono and Chromebook

Phones: iPhone 12 and 12 Mini (Verizon Network) and Samsung Galaxy


We recently changed our ISP to Spectrum (from ATT). We are using the modem and router that they gave us. For a few months everything worked fine, but recently we have had trouble with intermittently losing the connection to our wifi network whenever we use our phones or laptops. (This doesn't happen with the Samsung SmartTV, our Alexa Echo Dot or the Roku devices). I work from home (Macbook Pro) so this is a REAL problem especially for me.


I have tried resetting every device, and called Spectrum. They "reset" something on their end, but that didn't help either. When we were with ATT, we could see 2 frequencies on our network, one was 2G and one was 5G. But now, with Spectrum, we only have one frequency to use. It seems that this router is somehow "smart" and knows which devices work well with which frequency, and automatically selects them on its own?? But, when my laptop connection goes out, and I look under the "network" tab, there is a long string of numbers and letters in place of where I would traditionally see the router's 9 digit IPv4 address. (Is this an IPv6 address?) Well, evidently my laptop doesn't like it. When I turn the wifi off, and then back on again, it reconnects using the 9 digit IPv4 address, and works for a while again - sometimes for 30 - 45 minutes, but sometimes only for a few seconds. Same with my iPhone 12 mini.... it periodically stops working, I toggle the wifi off and back on again, and then it works again - for a while.


The other members in my household use Windows based laptops and say they have also had the same kind of issues. (Also with the other iPhone 12's)


What should I do?????





MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Nov 4, 2021 1:07 PM

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Nov 5, 2021 12:59 PM in response to weedreid

Hello, weedreid.


Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.


You've done some great steps so far on this issue but as far as the router settings go, you'll either need to contact the manufacturer or your internet service provider since the device came from them.


For information about IPv4/6 this may help: Use DHCP or a manual IP address on Mac


"Note: Most IP addresses are IPv4 addresses, which look like a series of numbers separated by three periods, similar to this: 123.45.67.89. If you received an IP address that’s a longer series of numbers and letters, divided by seven colons (for example, fa80:0000:0000:0123:0203:93ee:ef5b:44a0), it’s a different type of IP address called IPv6. To enter an IPv6 address, in Network preferences, click Advanced. In TCP, change the Configure IPv6 pop-up menu to Manually, and enter your IPv6 address."


Most of the time you'll never need to manually assign the IP address, your router usually does that for you.


Use IPv6 on Mac


If possible, try another Wi-Fi router. We do recommend reviewing this articles as they can help with Wi-Fi issues:


Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points


Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference


Let us know if you have additional questions about this.


Best regards.

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Spectrum wifi signal keeps dropping (IPV4 vs IPV6 Issue???)

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