MBA can't find preferred network after sleep mode

Update: I tried both methods to try and solve it, but it still searches for a network when it gets up from sleep. Never happened before I installed the last 2 updates. I'm running 10.6.8, not Lion, so this is not a Lion issue.

And no official has commented on this in the forum. Just so you know, Apple, pretending that a problem doesn't exist doesn't make it magically go away, and at any rate people stop doing that after they leave high school and grow up.

Lame, Apple. Just lame.

For the record, this issue has now moved from mildly annoying to downright irritating for me. Everytime I see that stupid Airport signal search to get a footing I am tempted to throw this **** Air POS out of the window.

I resolved the issue by updating the firmware on my MBA-13. See the attached link:http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1494

hikesnh, just wait a little bit (a week should do) - and then report us back if that really worked.

Wrest,

Interesting that you think a week will make a difference. I don't think computers work that way. Before I made the change, my MBA would not find the network every time it woke from sleep. The problem started for me last week, when I bought two new bluetooth devices to go with my Thunderbolt display. After the firmware update (which is intended to fix this problem, BTW) it is no problem. The wireless is connected now as soon as I open the top on my computer.

In any event, the firmware update should be done.

hikesnh, well, computers aren't supposed to work that way (for example, degrade in a week), but they do it.

See message from Marcelo NS as of feb, 4 on page 3 here https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2654585?start=30&tstart=0 that "Glad to see this issue fixed in 10.7.3", and then, in exactly a week, on feb 11, "Issue is back. Was working for a while after 10.7.3 update, sadly now is disconecting after sleep again.!"

So I just hope a firmware fix will do the trick for you 🙂 I would just ask you please post back here in a week or two and inform us if the fix persisted.

My MBA is the mid 2011 so this update will not be applicable.

Does this MBA version have any relevante EFI update?

Doesn't software update install these updates automatically?

The Masio,

My MBA is also the mid 2011 model and the firmware update worked. I was surprised that the software update feature apparently does not update the firmware. The update was issued Feb 7, 2012.

hikesnh,

I've download from the link you provided, but I got this message:

"This software is not supported on your system."

That's why I thought it was for another macbook air model...

Is there any way to see if I already installed that update?

Also tried EFI 2.4, but got the same message...

Hi Masio,

you get this message because you already have the latest update. You can check on >About This Mac>More Info>System information.

The latest updates for the MBA 2011 are:

Boot ROM Version: MBA41.0077.B0F

SMC Version (system): 1.73f63

The issue is there and Apple doesn't want/cannot fix it. All the workarounds may work for a given base station during certain time. As soon you move with your MBA to another location and connect it with another router the issue will be back.

Keep trying, open support tickets, and send a Feedback to Apple:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookair.html

May be if we are enough annoyied people claiming for a fix they will pay attention and work on it.

Thanks Marcelo,

You're right!

That's exactly the versions I have, and exactly the issue I get with the wi-fi. As soon as I change routers, it pops the network issue.

The thing is that I've seen friends with same model MBA's that don't get any of these "Can't find the prefered network"... It just connects flawlessly.

I've sent the "magic mouse + bluetooth VS wi-fi" issue to apple support, and before, I've sent the "wake up VS wi-fi" issue to them.

This must be a minor issue to them, so maybe they try to look at it in between important show-stopper issues.

I tried changing networks, but my computer is still connecting flawlessly. I tried downloading the firmware again, and I got the same message that Marcelo got, just confirming that he must have already had the firmware update. I am wondering if the model of router had any impact. I am using a recent Airport Extreme.

hikesnh

I am wondering if the model of router had any impact. I am using a recent Airport Extreme.

That's quite probable, imho. When you've had the problem before, it ocurred with the same Airport Extreme?

I.e. you'he got rid of the problem after just upgrading firmware in your MBA or also after changing your wifi router?

Wrest,

I already had an Airport Extreme that is recently purchased and working fine with my 2008 MBP-15. Then, I purchased a new MBA-13 mid 2011. It worked fine with the Airport Extreme, no problem with reconnecting wirelss after sleeping. Next I bought a Thuderbolt Display. Again, everything working fine. Couple of days later, I bought wireless keyboard and magic trackpad. That's when i noticed computer would not reconnect to any network from sleep. I had to choose and manually connect. i did not relate the wireless problem to the bluetooth at that time.

Searched web and found the firmware upgrade dated Feb 7, 2012. After doing this upgrade, I have not had a single problem since. I don't think i did anything else of importance.

I've already mentioned how I fixed my issue previously but as a follow up I can re-create the problem by changing the channel on my router, when I switch the channel back the mbp can connect flawlessly every time. Maybe someone could see if they can see replicate it by doing the same thing.

I wonder if it is something more to do with the mbp saving what channel the router broadcasts on then if your router channel is set to auto and changes the mbp can't find it until a restart. This would also explain how it works for people who have cleared all their saved networks, although wouldn't solve the problem with people who have switched off Bluetooth.

I never have had my Bluetooth on only when I bought it years ago and I'm running the latest firmware and latest lion update.