Dropped Connection to Verizon Fios new router

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Level 1

5 points

Dropped Connection to Verizon Fios new router

I have seen a couple questions on here about people's MacBook Pro dropping connection and reconnecting, but I haven't seen a solution. Most answers stop midway and I have no idea if something worked.

I saw to disconnect the SON setting, has this worked for anyone? Any other suggestions? My MacBook Pro is the only device I have that is having connection challenges and it's super frustrating because the fiber optic speeds on all my devices has been amazing. I really don't want to go back to Spectrum, anything but going back to them. Do I have to sacrifice a baby goat under a full moon during the equinox? Because I will, if I have to, but might be easier for Apple to help with a solution...

Posted on Aug 23, 2022 12:51 PM

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Answer 1

JovonaP.

Community Specialist

Aug 24, 2022 12:05 PM in response to mhfoster9

Hello mhfoster9,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. It's possible that there is something causing interference and impacting the Wi-Fi connection on your MacBook Pro. If you haven't already, try the steps in the following resource to help with interference: Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference - Apple Support

If the issue persists, let us know if this occurs when connected to a different network. Does the disconnection occur when performing a specific task or using a specific app? Be sure to include any other steps that you may have tried.

Have a nice day!

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Answer 2

Sep 15, 2022 10:44 AM in response to mhfoster9

I did some research and read the Verizon manual about SON. As I suspected, it is a VERY fancy name for absolutely NOTHING. If you have even the slightest difficulty connecting to your Router, your should do two things:

turn the SON feature off at the Router.
on your Router, give the 2.4GHz band a slightly different name than the 5GHz, so that you can selectively connect to the band you wish, when you wish, by selecting the slightly different name.

In general, SON could be useful in cases where you just want a quick connection, and don't care what band.

But in densely-poulated areas like apartment buildings, you will want to be on the 5GHz band, beause there is less competition and interference on the 5GHz band.

In really densely populated areas, like inside the Apple store my local very busy Mall, I have observed that they are using multiple Routers. In the 5GHz band, they are talking on many different channels, and the channels are set to an unexpectedly narrow 20 MHz width. That provides many potential strong connections, and still provides service that is generally as fast as most home Internet connections.

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Answer 3

Aug 30, 2022 11:15 AM in response to mhfoster9

<< I’m not sure what screen size and processor have to do with WiFi connecting and disconnecting >>

Over 100 computers that bear the name "MacBook Pro" were issued from 2006 to the present day. They have very different Wi-Fi capabilities.

The MacBook Pro 2017 models appear to have 802.11ac, 3 antennas and MIMO. There should be no general problems connecting to a modern Router using either 2.4GHz or 5 GHz band. However, connecting and maintaining that connection requires a consistent signal level, low noise, and low interference.

If you can obtain a connection, Hold the Option key while you click on the Wi-Fi icon in the MenuBar. This will produce a snapshot of current parameters similar to this older one. Please screenshot or transcribe the values:

.

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Answer 4

mhfoster9 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 30, 2022 12:05 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Sorry, I’m just really frustrated that this is happening when this equipment is brand new was just installed. That every other device is not having connection issues except for the MacBook Pro. How is it there have been so many questions about this on Verizon forums and Apple forums and there has been no solution? I’m ready to throw the same equipment out the window and go back to the crappy internet provider I had…

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Answer 5

mhfoster9 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 24, 2022 3:56 PM in response to JovonaP.

Thank you, but this has never happened with any other router or internet service I’ve had. This is only happening with my new internet service and is only happening to my MacBook Pro (2017). Every other device connected to the WiFi hasn’t had any issue.

I switched from Spectrum to Verizon Fios because the fast fiber optic speed is needed. Because all my other devices have had zero issue, I believe this is a MacBook problem.

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Answer 6

mhfoster9 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 30, 2022 9:01 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi, it’s a 2017 model, 13” screen. I’m not sure what screen size and processor have to do with WiFi connecting and disconnecting, no offense. It’s a standard, out of the box MacBook Pro, no alterations.

Just trying to understand why everything else, including my PC work laptop on VPN connect without issue. I thought it was just an Apple thing, but my AppleTV’s and Apple handheld devices have no issue, and a couple of them are older than the MacBook. I have to use this laptop for zoom

calls that I teach on and cannot do so when disconnecting every 15min.

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Answer 7

Aug 30, 2022 12:52 PM in response to mhfoster9

At least on this band, that Router is only offering you 802.11n, Wi-Fi 4.

RSSI raw signal strength is the strongest number I have ever seen posted. You must be right next to your Router. Why not get an Ethernet adapter?

You have connected on channel 11 on the 2.4GHz band. This band is often very crowded, and is subject to interference from baby monitors, microwave ovens, certain landline portable phones, USB-3 devices, and nearby LG displays.

How many other networks are shown? You may be getting clobbered by your neighbors.

You appear to have 5GHz band available, and would get better speeds from using the 5GHz band.

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Answer 8

mhfoster9 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 30, 2022 1:17 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

These details in the screenshot is after I disconnected the SON on the router, as suggested by more than one forum.

I live in an apartment and the router is currently on top of a credenza outside my office where the laptop is primarily used. I cannot connect it to Ethernet cable and still work. Even if I did run a wire from the router into the room, it still doesn’t solve the fact that MacBook Pros seem to be the only hardware that cannot hold a wireless connection to Verizon’s Fios tower.

That being said, it’s the reason why the MacBook is connected to the 2.4GHz band because the 5GHz band keeps disconnecting. I can change the channels to whichever, but it’s going to require reconnecting all my devices individually yet again only to HOPE the MacBook Pro holds the connection.

I can see several networks, 20-30+ as that’s the usual situation when living in an apt building in an urban environment. This is the first time, however, I encountered connection issues, especially with the MacBook Pro.

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Answer 9

Aug 30, 2022 3:03 PM in response to mhfoster9

<< I can change the channels to whichever, but it’s going to require reconnecting all my devices individually yet again only to HOPE the MacBook Pro holds the connection.>>

Most Router talks on BOTH 2.4GHz and 5GHz at once. Your snapshot indicates yours does as well.

Whether to connect at this moment to 2.4GHz or 5GHz is a choice you make at a given moment at your computer. You do NOT need to change any other computers.

The absolute BEST channel to set ups for your Router to use (on each band) is... "auto".

Then when the Router wakes up, it 'sniffs' the existing traffic and chooses a channel that has less interference.

It is not an accident that all the debugging procedures start with... 'cycle to power on your Router'. That gives you a fresh start [and a new, less-busy channel assignment]'

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Answer 10

Sep 14, 2022 10:11 PM in response to mhfoster9

It could be due to the poor strength of the signal or it could be due to you being in the outer ranges of the house sometimes Slow Internet Speed also create the same problem. Resolve the reasons and solutions that you need to use to get your WiFi

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