Why does Macbook drop Wifi suddenly?

Thanks for letting us know, Ronaldj,

Since it's happening randomly, you may consider running Wi-Fi diagnostics to help you to isolate this behavior further: If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi

Use the built-in diagnostic tools

Wi-Fi Recommendations. Click Wi-Fi  in Control Center or the menu bar and check for a menu item named Wi-Fi Recommendations. If you see it, your Mac has detected an issue and has recommendations. Choose Wi-Fi Recommendations to learn more.*

Wireless Diagnostics. Press and hold the Option key on your keyboard while clicking Wi-Fi  in Control Center or the menu bar, then choose Open Wireless Diagnostics from the menu. Learn more about using Wireless Diagnostics to analyze your wireless environment.

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

Wi-Fi slow and/or disconnecting— current accommodations include:

Updating software:

• if on Monterey, Updating to the very latest version of Monterey.

Reducing number of networks being evaluated:

• Checking the [√] ask to Join new networks check box:

AND purging the list of potentially-available networks in this pane:

System preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > (Advanced) ...

... to leave ONLY the networks you might really join:

>> all of these reduce the number of networks your Mac is evaluating on a moment-by moment basis, looking for a better connection.

IPv6:

System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > (advanced) >TCP/IP > IPv6 ... to Link-local only

ON may cause routing activity that interferes with your networking. OFF will make it hard to find printers and other services on your network.

“Limit IP address Tracking” has been shown to be an issue on some Networks:

VPN:

If you have enabled ANY VPN features in system preferences > network

these can interfere with regular network operation.

If you are using a VPN you installed on your own, remove it while continuing to debug. Also remove ALL devices in the left pane related to VPN in:

System Preferences > Network

If this VPN is for an Institutional/Corporate connection, contact your institution for additional guidance.

80Mhz channels:

If your 5GHz band is configured (on your Router) to 80MHz channel-width, some users have reported problems. If they reconfigured the 5GHZ band to back to 40MHz channels, many of their connection and speed problems evaporated.

Network Location:

If you continue to have trouble after using these steps, create a new named Network "Location" -- a collection of settings applied "all at once" when you select it. Every new named "Location" you create starts with all defaults, which lets you walk away from any errant settings that might be causing you trouble:

How to use network locations on your Mac - Apple Support

How to use network locations on your Mac - Apple Support

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Ronaldj wrote:

I have a MBP 16 (late 2021) with OS12.2.1. Wifi usually works fine until suddenly connections drop and Wifi doesn't want to connect anymore. Happens at home, but also at my work. At home, there are around 5 other networks in range, at work there is only the work network. I tried so many things, but the only thing that *always* works is rebooting the Macbook. Needless to say, NO other devices in the network experience the same thing - only the Macbook. Every time I lose around 15-20 minutes of work time, which is a big nuisance.

This Macbook is supposed to be quick, but networking is a big issue. I regularly see the beach ball - always network related. so I spend a lot of time just waiting. Not happy.

The current stable release of Monterey is macOS 12.3.1

I would start there and compare your results

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/get-macos-updates-mchlpx1065/mac

Hello Ronaldj,

Let's start by getting your MacBook Pro updated to the latest macOS 12.3.1 using the steps below:

1. From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Preferences.

2. In the System Preferences window, click Software Update.

If your System Preferences doesn't include Software Update, learn how to upgrade to macOS Monterey or upgrade to an older macOS, and use the Updates tab of the App Store app to get app updates.

3. Click Update Now or Upgrade Now:

• Update Now installs the latest updates for the currently installed version, such as an update from macOS Big Sur 11.5 to macOS Big Sur 11.6. 

• Upgrade Now installs a major new version with a new name, such as macOS Monterey. Software Update shows only upgrades that are compatible with your Mac.

You can also find those steps here: Update macOS on Mac

Updating should help to further isolate a software conflict.

If that behavior still persists after updating, do you get a particular error or prompt when you attempt to reconnect to a Wi-Fi network?

Take care.

Ronaldj wrote:

...It also happened with previous versions of OS 12,

I'm hesitant to update to OS 12.3.1 as Dropbox is not yet supporting that according to their website.

I have had no issue with Dropbox on Monterey 12.3.1 (?) but maybe I am not the power user you are.

I would start there.. update to the current stable release, there were known issue with early release of Monterey and wifi—

The Dropbox desktop app for Mac computers

If you have a Mac computer and you want to run the Dropbox desktop app, you need to use:

• OS X Yosemite 10.10 to macOS Monterey 12

https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/system-requirements

user5115 wrote:

...

Is Apple going to do anything?

You have posted on a User-to-User forum. Readers and responders are other Users like you. Apple Movers and Shakers not visit here looking for problems, and rarely respond here except to give recommendations similar to the ones other Users would give you.

If you want the Attention of Apple, Inc, Start with this link, then make the call and work with the first responder who has a script including, "is it plugged into the wall?", and so on.

When you have worked through the routine items, ask to be escalated to a Specialist. They have more expertise in one area, but far less patience. Be businesslike and professional, but do not let them go unless/until your problem is solved, they have filed a new Bug Report on your behalf, or attached your case to a known problem whose solution is pending.

Get Support

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upgrade to macOS 12.3.1 makes it worse. I have to stop WiFi connection are restart it again... It's getting nasty!

It happens every other minute. It sucks! OS 12.2.1 was more stable. Is Apple going to do anything?