Q: iMac 12,2 (mid 2011) airport (wireless) problem

Hi Peter,

As soon as that one came up I did the update (even though I don't use an Apple router). It did seem to work briefly and then like all the other many "fixes" out there it did not stick.

-Will

BTW - my router is a Netgear N600 - how many others out there use this one and have issues? As I mentioned before my iPad and Touch work fine with it but I am just grasping at straws here.

Oacalawill - did you try the driver downgrade posted earlier in the thread?

http://rys.pixeltards.com/2011/09/04/osx-lion-wifi.html

I did this and it completely solved the random disconnect problem. After upgrading to the latest Mac OS X v10.7.3 update the wifi now refuses to reconnect after waking up and I have to turn the wifi off and back on before it will work. I think it's time to downgrade the drivers again!

Hi Speedbird,

I tried it last night and no good. I have ordered a mini USB wifi adapter, and I will try that - I will just completely bypass the Apple wifi adapter. It is a ridiculous thing to have to do considering my iMac is basically new (and how much it cost), but what else is there to do? I've tried every fix out there. The only other thing is to back-date the opsys to Snow Leopard, but I have got very used to Lion's features. The thought of going back is unappealing. (also not convinced it is a Lion issue)

Any updates on a fix yet?

Yep, a few minutes ago there was an uppdate coming. You can update now!

The update didn't do a thing for me...

Go to an apple retail store

I'm wondering if it fixed anybody's though. I haven't found anything else on the web of people saying it has been successful.

I did the update about an Hour ago, so far no problems

I've been following this thread for months and hoping for a solution. It's clear that Apple needs to step up based on the evidence:

1) It is obviously a driver issue based on downgrade solutions and the fact that the iMac Airport card works in Windows 7 etc.

2) Clearly an N and B/G wireless mix issue as people who move to all new hardware (AE N routers only, solve the issue)

3) All other devices with DIFFERENT DRIVERS like the iPad and other desktops and laptops work fine on the same network.

For God Sake, Apple, please rewrite and release the drivers and be done with this!!!!!

I applied the newest Apple WiFi update for yucks and like all the other fixes it lasted a few blissful days and then the sleep/no-wake and random, frequent disconnects came back. This problem is so persistent and puzzling it is almost as if there is some malicious code at work.

What has worked for me however - and this has been for weeks now - is to bypass the Apple WiFi and use an aftermarket USB one in my iMac. I use a generic mini USB WiFi card with it's own utility, I got on eBay, and have had reliable connections since.

Just bought a mid 2011 iMac 21.5" and first thing I noticed this connection issue. It's sitting right next to my old iMac that's been on the same router for years and years without this issue. Also my MacBook Pro, my iPhone, my new iPod Touch and my AppleTV never have this problem. I've got all the latest firmware, software updates, etc. that they've offered for lion. Still no luck. Seems to act funny after sleeping or restarting, then turning the wifi off and back on cures it, which sounds exactly like everyone else.

Has anyone had success with taking theirs into the Apple Store for service?

I too have the same issue - 2011 IMac - constantly dropping wifi signals.  I was excited when I saw the wifi update a few days ago from Apple, but since then, the problem has seemed to have gotten worse.  This is what I tried 30 minutes ago - and (knock on wood) so far it's been working.  This might not apply to everyone, but I use Airport Express as my router - so that might be part of my issue.  I opened Airport Utility directly and through that application, updated the firmware for my Airport Express.  It took about 5 minutes to update, and so far so good.  Hope this helps some of you with the issue.

I resolved my issue by switching to ethernet LAN

Doing some extra google research in the meanwhile, if I understood correctly the issue is connected with bluetooth usage (keyboard, mouse, trackpad), since both BT and WiFi use "similar" GHz range, and all those other microwaves (microwave oven, neighbours wifi...) are making that extra noise.

Some people resolved this issue by installing Wifi router that works on 5 GHz...

Since I have BT keyboard and both Magic Mouse and Trackpad, my next step is to replace keyboard with wired/USB one (alu with numeric) and sell Trackpad, but I'm keeping Magic Mouse as there is no other mouse with gestures like this one, and it just sits nice in hand. Or is there? A wired/USB one?

I don't think you'll find Bluetooth is the problem (or if it is a problem, it is only a minor one).  My WiFi problems with my 27inch iMac, have still occurred even when I have switched Bluetooth off - I use a wired keyboard and mouse.