Mac Mini / iPad / iPhone WIFI issues

I have some serious WIFI issues with my new Mac Mini - as well as with my iPad and my iPhone.

All are being kicked off my WIFI so frequently it's more off- than online.

I have them connected to a Zyxel NBG-460N.

Strange thing is I virtually never have connection issues with my Windows 7 Dell Latitude connected to the same router! However I am getting tired of using my Latitude for downloading files for the Mac and then transferring them by memory key!

The Zyxel is set to channel 9 where all other WIFI's in the vicinity is running on channels 1, 6 or 11 so should be no issues there.

The Mac Mini is by far the worst, getting kicked off constantly and very often awakening with the message that "none of my preffered networks can be found" - and then listing my network as being found!

The problem is periodic - sometimes it runs like clockwork, but very often I have this issue of loosing network connection constantly during several hours.

Do anyone know of a solution - should I buy an Airport Express router instead of the Zyxel? Or is there a cheaper solution to this issue?

mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 19, 2010 2:12 PM

Reply
7 replies

Nov 19, 2010 4:42 AM in response to Darzee

Zyxel NBG-460N, the same model I have right now.
I have Zyxel, D-Link, Airport Express Router in my office.

I am sure the one Zyxel NBG-460N is all right with my 3 different Mac Minis.

Having said that, the Zyxel indeed isn't that good, not easy of use, not comprehensive considerate in settings and functionality.

D-Link is better while Apple AirPort Express is perfect fit with Apple Macintosh.

Dec 5, 2010 5:33 PM in response to Mauricette

I also have Zyxel NBG-460N at home and experience similar problem with you.

The wifi works fine on my old itouch 2nd generation.

But iphone 4.0 and ipad do not work well with the wifi. Signal is strong as shown on the devices, but the devices stop getting data after a few seconds when you watch youtube/browse internet.

I think newer apple mobile devices use a wifi module that does not work well with Zyxel 460n. However, the iphone4 and ipad do work well with my office wifi (a Netgear access point)

Jan 1, 2011 7:58 PM in response to Darzee

I use an Acer computer with Windows 7 installed on it. I also use a MacBook Pro, and and iPhone 4. I never have a problem on any of the Devices. I use a Belkin 802.11n Modem Router. (I think it is) A brilliant, fast, consistent router. I highly recommend it. I bought it at a reasonable price of £89.99. To Americans I think that may be around $134.99. If you are using your MacBook Pro and iPad a lot this will work perfectly. Or I recommend Apple's Router as I have seen lots of great reviews on it. Hope this helps.

Jul 6, 2011 7:40 AM in response to Matt779

I had similar problems using my Zyxel NBG460N wifi router. On all apple devices I recognized connection problems. Sometimes it worked sometimes it took 10 to 20 seconds to get a connection.


Today I found the cause. The NBG460N has a feature "WMM QoS" wich was enabled by default. Apple devices seem not to work smootly with this feature. As I disabled it, everything is working fine.


I hope to help somebody with similar issues.


Thomas

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Mac Mini / iPad / iPhone WIFI issues

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