MacBook Air Can't Connect to Wireless Network but Other Computers Can

Question

MacBook Air Can't Connect to Wireless Network but Other Computers Can

Today, out of nowhere, the wireless internet on my MacBook Air 13" stopped working. Whenever I attempt to join the network and enter the password, it gives me "Connection Timeout." I've made sure that no other network options are available (e.g. Ethernet could be enabled and have higher priority than Airport, which would cause the Airport to defer to the non-working Ethernet). I restarted my laptop and did the Command-Option-P-R thing, deleted the Keychain entry for this network, manually entered the normal and hex versions of the password (WPA-Personal), and am currently posting from my Windows computer which is less than three feet away from my connectile dysfunctional MacBook Air.

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.6.6), Second Generation

Posted on Mar 14, 2011 3:58 PM

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Answer 1

Zlig

Level 4

1,340 points

Mar 14, 2011 4:02 PM in response to woahpleasehelpme

Try going to System Preferences > Network. Select "Airport" from the left-hand pane and click the "-" below to remove, and then "+" to add Airport again.

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Answer 2

Mar 14, 2011 4:10 PM in response to Zlig

That does change something in that it now says "Connection Failed" instead of "Connection Timeout." It gives up really quickly, though; it'll go from spinning icon to "Connection Failed" in less than a second. I guess such a quick failure is, in and of itself, impressive.

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Answer 3

Zlig

Level 4

1,340 points

Mar 14, 2011 4:16 PM in response to woahpleasehelpme

Have you tried restarting the router?

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Answer 4

Mar 14, 2011 4:21 PM in response to Zlig

I want to make sure to exhaust all of my options short of doing that, since, as I mentioned earlier, everything else (Xbox, PS3, Windows computers) can connect. And, as of just checking, my iPhone 4 can't connect either

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Answer 5

Zlig

Level 4

1,340 points

Mar 14, 2011 4:26 PM in response to woahpleasehelpme

That could also point to the router. Do you or a friend have any other devices that you can try connecting with as a means of testing the connection?

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Answer 6

Mar 14, 2011 4:41 PM in response to Zlig

Other than the things already connected, we don't have any other wireless devices. The only reason I'm hesitant to restart the modem/router is because last time I had to do it, it was a debacle and it was just terrible and I can only hope I never have to experience it again

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Answer 7

Mar 14, 2011 5:15 PM in response to woahpleasehelpme

You may want to explain why it was a horrible experience to restart your router. The fact that you said this, though, makes me suspect your router even more. I restart my home router from time to time with no headaches.

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Answer 8

Mar 14, 2011 5:26 PM in response to Jeff Kelleher

It was so terrible because I had to reinstall the router on the computer in our office which doesn't work, so I had to bring my desktop downstairs because MacBook Airs have neither CD drives nor Ethernet ports. Is it unusual to have to completely reinstall the router when restarting the modem and router?

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Answer 9

Mar 14, 2011 6:54 PM in response to woahpleasehelpme

It is absolutely unusual. As I mentioned, I occasionally restart my home router and cable modem, but I've never had to reconfigure either one. I've also had to restart an enterprise level firewall/router a couple times at work. I've never had to reconfigure them after a restart. They are all basically little computers, and restarting them should be no different than restarting a computer if it happens to freeze.

You should consider looking for a firmware update for your router, or getting a new one of it's out of warranty. A wireless router should keep its settings when you restart it.

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Answer 10

Mar 19, 2011 8:45 PM in response to woahpleasehelpme

I was having the exact same issue. My MacBook Air suddenly would not connect to my home WiFi network after a full day without problems. My Windows 7 machine, sitting right next to my MacBook, had no issues connecting.

After several hours of experimenting with router settings, my MacBook is back online. First, I changed the Channel of my WiFi network. Second, I changed my Wireless Mode to 802.11g instead of the default setting "802.11b/g". That seemed to do the trick.

Hope this helps!

--Using AT&T DSL

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Answer 11

Jul 29, 2011 2:47 PM in response to nanobyte84

same problem here. can only connect while sitting next to the router. even though the macbook air doesn't realise that it is connected so it does not remember the network. so in conclusion for gettin access to the internet i have to give the password and sit next to the router...

so i wanted to try your way nanobyte....can you describe how you changed to 802.11b/g?

thanks

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Answer 12

Dec 7, 2011 6:35 AM in response to woahpleasehelpme

I also kept getting the Connection Timeout error. My other devices in the home connected without trouble, even my iMac, iPhone and iPad? I tried everything and even with Apple Tech support, and I was scheduled to take it into the store.

Then when I tried to turn on Netflix (wirelessly) on my TV, it would not connect because of an "interference" issue. It then dawned on me that my router and modem for cable TV were in the same media cabinet. Taking a chance that it might also be an interference issue with my MacBook Air, I unplugged the router and took it out of the media cabinet to be farther away from the modem and with in seconds my MacBook Air connected wirelessly with no problem.....and so did the Netfilx!!

Hoping this might help someone else!

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Answer 13

Mar 29, 2016 6:29 AM in response to woahpleasehelpme

The only way I managed to fix this problem after returning my router to factory settings, reset the PRAM, and many other failed actions was:
Reset SMC:

Before you can reset your SMC, you must shut down your Mac. After that, the procedure varies depending on the type of Mac you have.

Desktop Macs: Disconnect the power cord (either from the Mac or from the AC outlet). Wait 15 seconds and plug it back in. Then wait another 5 seconds and turn the Mac back on.
Portable Macs with non-removable batteries: Make sure the Mac is plugged in to AC power. On the built-in keyboard, press and hold the Shift, Option, and Control keys on the left side and press the power button. Release all the keys at once, and then turn the Mac on normally.
Portable Macs with removable batteries: Disconnect the AC power cord and remove the battery. Press the power button, hold it for 5 seconds, and then let go. Put the battery back in, reconnect the power cord, and turn the Mac on normally.

Also after the reset, the WiFi routers listed, increased from 4 (before the reset) to 15.

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