Q: WiFi Issues With MacBook Air

Turning off Bluetooth on my MBA makes not difference. But this morning, I tried my wife's Air. It would not connect yesterday (with Bluetooth off); this morning it connected immediately.

Your comment about having the issue in the Apple Store is very interesting. The third-tier Apple network tech I spoke with yesterday talked about how difficult it is for a computer to connect to third-party wireless routers. He suggested replacing my Amped device with an Apple router, assuring me the Apple device would solve my problem. Apparently not so.

That said, the problem is not consistent across different routers. I can connect to a Netopia wireless router every time.

The biggest problem this creates for me is traveling, often not being able to connect with hotel wireless systems.

OMG this discussion board is just great,

I really thought I was the only one getting crazy with this Wiifi issue. Since I got the MAC 10 months ago, getting conected to wiffi in my house is a nightmare. I took my laptop to an apple store, and they just say that should be a router issue. But I live in a house with four more girls, and all their computers get wiffi, two of them have macbook pro and never have problems.

When I used it at my university it works fine, but I just dont get why in my house does not work . I was blaming the internet company, and even made my roommates to get a new router. But the problem stay. So definetely is an Apple problem.

Further to my much earlier post I see people are still having this wifi issue. In my opinion this is nothing to do with Bluetooth or tha MBA, it is the OSX Lion. I downgraded my MBA back to Snow Leopard and now the MBA connects to ANY router I choose, at home, on the train or various wifi cafes. I like many others initially went to the Apple Store and was also told it was my router, how could that be???? Apple Experts, an EX is a has been and a SPERT is a drip..:-)

Just to add a little more. I setout a fix (that worked for me) for this problem much earlier in the discussion. That worked well and fine until about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Now, again, the MBA won't reconnect to my home router on wake up. It identifies teh router but tells me none of my preferred wireless connections are available, yet there it is listed right below! I have to select it manually. Then, even stranger, once connected I can't access the internet, at least Safari won't load anything and my mail programme won't send or receive. To get over this I have to close down Safari completely, then turn off the wifi on the MBA and then turn it back on. When I turn it back on it connects first time, no issues and when I restart Safari, everything is back to normal and it all works just fine until the next time I close the MBA lid.

Additionally, I now can't connect when in a public wi-fi area - just keep getting "connection time-out" messages pop up on the screen, yet I see others in the same area fully connected. I know Apple don't read these boards so I'm now reporting the issue via Feedback, although I imagine it's been done many times before.

Well, this is exactly the same problem I'm having with my Mac mini.  Bought a new Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Router (WNDR3400v2).  The mini has a strong connection to the router via WiFi, but I get no internet without multiple attempts.  When I do manage to get the connection (after unplugging/restarting multiple devices), it last only for a while--sometimes minutes, occasionally an hour or so. Internet is easily and readily available on iPhone, iPad, PC, and entertainment devices, but the mini continues to be stubborn. 

I had no trouble with my old LinkSys, but setting that thing up was a pain.  I've also upgraded my internet speed and the new router is much faster. 

And this problem seems to have been going on for at least a year with this many users.  I've tried almost everything suggested here except turning off Bluetooth.  I would hate to have to buy a wired keyboard and mouse just because I upgraded my router, esp. without knowing if it would fix the problem or not.  It would seem Apple would get a clue and fix it.

Just upgraded to Mountain Lion Preview 4 and the problem for me has been fixed. Seems they got it right at last.

NHC2365, was it a clean install or upgrade over the Lion?

It was an upgrade over the top of an existing installation of Lion 10.7.4.

Having made the decision to change everything to Apple about a year ago I have been disappointed at the niggling issues that seem to plague certain devices. I have a couple of wireless access points at home and Macbook, iPad amd iPhones log on to the nearest point without a hitch (ever) - my MacAir on the other hand is very tempermental and refuses to log on to a particular access point on random occasions. I've tried the various workarounds in this thread and none work - I'm on the latest Lion release 10.7.4 and still a problem. My MacAir in particular has been a problem child since I bought it and to be honest I wish I hadn't.

I was back working on a couple of Windows Vista laptops yesterday - that should be a compulsory annual pilgramage for all Apple users - good grief Msft is a nightmare - its easy to forget just how convoluted and arcane the OS actually is!

Nevertheless Apple need to understand that if we are paying top dollar there is an expectation of resolution of ongoing problems or at least an official workaround that works - silence, in this case, is not golden.

Feel your pain. I am so fortunate to have bought my MBA back in 2009- it zipped into action flawlessly throughout global travels while my PC notebook just crawled along downloading patches and updates. I havent loaded anything or changed anything so I'm blaming the software updates Apple sent out in the past few months. Wish I could turn back time. I know how good Apple devices used to be and that is what's so hard to deal with- the fact that they are now providing me with a user experience that is on par w/ a PC at an Apple price tag. My 2004 XP notebook is picking up the slack my MBA can no longer fill. I just updated my iTouch software and now it no longer recharges on my Bose Dock! So I have to contact Bose for a compatible pin replacement part. I never should have connected it to my iMac to sync with my iTunes' merged libraries. The whole thing has made me lose confidence in Apple products.

WOW! I was just heading down to Apple store to pickup MBA for an upcoming trip. I've been having issues with my new iMac and called support to ensure the same 'software compatibility' issues would not transfer to the Air. Now, thanks to this forum, I see that the software issue would have been just one of the problems.  The WIFI issue referenced here is a show stopper for me as this will be a travel device.... what a drag. Looks like I'll have to haul around my old macbook 13 brick. On bright side, I saved myself 1k!!

The new MBA connects seamlessly and very fast unlike the 2010 model. You should av picked it.

We had a 2-hour power outage yesterday that reset my Amped repeater, something I had done previously with no change. But after power came back on and the repeater had reset, my connections became stable, including to my MacBook Air. But my wife's MacBook Air, also running OS 10.7.4, sees and connects to the network, but can't get on the Internet, and within seconds drops the repeater's network. Just as before.

I'm currently working on my MBA connecting through the wireless repeater, and everything is working fine, but the other MBA is still junk on the repeater.

I've had my MBA since Feb and had no problems until the last update. I no longer have a reliable connection to the WiFi here at work.  If I reboot the router, I usually can then connect, but it lasts anywhere from the rest of the day down to only 30 minutes before I drop the connection again.   When I try to reconnect, my connection lasts about 20 seconds before I get a "connection timed out" error.  Very frustrating.  I can connect my iPad and never have had an issue with it.  I am thinking of getting a Mac for home but I am holding off until this is fixed, if ever.

Whew,

I'm glad I found this thread.. it is by far the most viewed on the MBA discussions... the same is also true

for the new IPAD.. both are having serious WIFI issues.

I returned my 2012 IPAD promptly after having experienced very crappy wifi range and speeds

and NOW to see this similar problem on 2012 MBA.. cancelled my order before it shipped..

I've been a long time exclusive Apple user since 1984.. never seen so much denial from Apple about serious product issues... feel terrible for the thousands being treated this way..