Q: WiFi Issues With MacBook Air

I'm glad to report that the issue has finally been resolved on my Macbook Air i5 13" March 2013 model (2011 model got swapped by Apple because of the WiFi issue, yet the problem persisted up until some software update a few weeks ago). There might still be a problem using Safari but Chrome works perfectly. The WiFi in Bootcamp Windows 7 on the 2013 model has worked flawlessly so it had to be a solveable Wifi Driver software, Browser, or operating system issue or a combination. I never ran Windows 7 on the 2011 model so I don't know anything about that.

Jeff, no offense taken.  I am glad that you did not have to encounter a network that was not compatible.  As for rare, it is well documented in this thread, as well as many, many reputable online technical groups and magazines.  It is not rare.  The issue is that you never know which network will or will not work.  The wifi network at St. Mary's University is not compatible, for reasons unknown to me.  It works for all non-MBA 2013 systems.  So, Apple is deliberately deceiving anyone nieve enough that it was not a major problem.  It is a matter of trust and integrity - and they come up lacking.

So, I stand by my words. 

Since the patch, with one exception (and it was quite different than any previous issue), it has been working very well.  Technically, I don't think there are any more concerns.  As Jeff suggested, once you buy it, test it for at least an hour, more if possible, on all networks you intend on connecting. 

So, technically, I think it is safe to buy now.  Apple has a lot of work before their integrity with me has been restored.

I just received a new 11" MBA today and have not had any major wifi problems.  There is one thing I changed.

The default wifi setting is for the wireless router doing the DNS translation.  I changed it to Google DNS servers;

Primary: 8.8.8.8; Secondary: 8.8.4.4.  Wifi performance seemed more stable after this change.

For me it doesn't work well.It drops the connection rather often during the day.The WIFI icon locks like as if it is connected but it isn't.

My Daytrek vigor2920nhas got the latest update and I updated all the available updates onto my air.

Seems not solved. My 2010 Air works fine and doesn't have this issue.

I have to say it's annoying. Will call Apple tomorrow

Strongly encourage people with wifi issues to consider that the problem could be with the browser not the MBA itself. This is especially true if your MBA appears to be connected to the network but you still can't browse the Internet or your connection is intermittent fir no good reason. If you're using Safari it is notorious for this. Try downloading Google Chrome or one of the others.

Ever since I have the Air I use Google Chrome. Was actually the first thing I downloaded. So that is not the issue with mine.

Hi all, I'm just arriving, but suffering from the same problem for about a month. Connection dropping all the time (several times per second, as by the diagnosis tool), when testing with speedtest.net I cannot even get to 1mbps, while other devices at home (ipad, windows notebook and samsung cellphone) easily reach my nominal speed of 10mbps.

I just applied the patch (yes, it's a MBA 13", 4, 256, mid 2013), but nothing changed.

I'm installing Chrome, but don't think it will help since I can observ the problem from other applications (including backup to time machine).

Any more hints?

The, for me, obvious next step is simply to return it and demand a functioning machine. Following the many, and long, threads on the new MBAs wifi problems has stopped me from buying one until they truly solve it. But people seem to put up with a lot just to keep their MBS, buying new (Apple) routers, wifi dongles...

It is a very expensive machine with a key feature not working, it's a shame that Apple released it this way.

Definitely not a browser here.  Tried two computers.  The first one worked at first then was connecting intermittently (also showed not connected each time) and says "connection time out" when trying again.  Loaded the patch - did not fix the issue.  Returned it and tried a second computer which would not connect at all, straight out of the box - had to load the patch via portable DVD drive.  Of course, no change.

Pretty sure it's not the router since, also connected to it (off and on every day) are:  2 HTC (Android) phones, 1 PC Laptop, 1 2012 iMac, and 1 Kindle.  Never had any issues with them.

It's not the browser, it's not the router, it's the new MBA, it's not resting or pining for the fjords, it's defective!

Return any faulty MBA until Apple fixes this, assuming you buy one in the first place knowing what we all know now.

I called Apple last week and they sent me the link to an update.

Since this update I don't have the issues any more. The connection appears now stable after testing it for several days

I am on my 2nd 13" MBA. It keeps dropping wifi no matter what I do. Did the update patch on both-returned the 1st machine after 1 annoying day. The 2nd one is exactly the same. My other Macbook pro is fine as are all my windows notebooks. The icon shows its connected, but it gets stuck loading pages. I love the machine otherwise,especially the battery life, but they know about this issue for a while-released it for sale anyway, and we paid up to be the beta testers. I`m not a bit suprised after encountering bugs in some other apps they charge you money for. I actually had a high level support rep tell "what did you expect in a $20 program" after we discovered unnacceptale bugs in Imovie after sending $2500 on a 17" macbook pro a few years ago just to make educational videos on. I just want the darn thing to work!.

I have not read through the entire thread. But wanted to tell you my problem with the constant dropping of wi-fi is completely FIXED. My rep person stated that they are aware of the problem (after I warned them, there was hundreds of complaints about the same issue) The first person told me to talk to my network provider, who is Comcast and have them change my settings from WPA1 to WPA2Personal. Comcast refused to do it withought a cost. I called Apple back and the rep here helped me change the settings. Once I did that Ive had not one drop. That was about 2 -3 weeks ago! My router settings were with Netgear. We went in and changed it, and it fixed everything.

I only had the issue at home.