Q: iMac 2011 - no wifi connection after sleep under Lion

It would also be nice if a desktop iMac would not go looking for other networks unless specifically asked to by the user. A 27" iMac is not a portable device that might travel frequently between access points! It should only look for its home access point by default. My iPod Touch has fewer problems with finding the home base.

Can't wait for 10.7.4 update, with a REAL fix.

I solved my problem with my iMac 27" by waking it with power button.

this is not the way it should work, but at least I have my WiFi connexion back while waking up.

A large part of my issue is that I am nowhere near my early '08 iMac when I need it to wake from sleep.  I am at my MacBook Pro (2011, which has not had the issue) attempting to sync to the iMac.  I have done this since 2008 without issue until this problem arose.

Although I am finally able to connect via the network - a bit delayed, but successfully after months of nothing, it isn't perfect at the iMac itself, although I do not use the power button.  I don't know that the "improvement" was due to 10.7.3.

Hi TonyK58, your Feb 14 post and experience is absolutely identical to my wireless reconnect issues ( previously posted) with my mid 2010 iMac 27 with Lion 10.7.3. Lets hope this is solved soon. In the interim, I was able to rig up an ethernet connection and will have to remain " cabled " until those folks in Cupertino can sort this mess out.

I am just posting now to show identical technical issues in two machines.

bandmk1010, Yes, this seems to be a widespread problem. Here we are on a discussion board operated by Apple, and (as far as I know) not one Apple employee has said a peep to indicate that 1) this is a problem that's not unique to your or my machine and 2) they're working to fix the problem. The lack of any communication is not acceptable.

I like your idea of connecting via ethernet. I'm looking into the feasability of doing that myself. When I first backed up to Time Capsule, I ran a temporary ethernet cable, which gets about 0.8 GB/sec transmission, far faster than anything I've seen with wifi. In addition, since the computer (27" iMac) is obviously a desktop that I'm not going to be moving very much, it makes sense to hard wire it to the router.

The suggestion of waking the machine by pressing the power switch (vs. the keyboard) was excellent, and if I were an engineer, I think I'd be looking very closely at that as a big clue to what's underlying this problem.

I'm sure Apple is aware of the issue. They usually don't acknowledge an issue until they have it figured out and a fix is coming-hardware or software. That's my experience so just be patient.

Here we are on a discussion board operated by Apple, and (as far as I know) not one Apple employee has said a peep to indicate that 1) this is a problem that's not unique to your or my machine and 2) they're working to fix the problem. The lack of any communication is not acceptable.

This is a user-to-user support forum. Apple does not respond to anything here, so don't expect it.

I like your idea of connecting via ethernet. I'm looking into the feasability of doing that myself. When I first backed up to Time Capsule, I ran a temporary ethernet cable, which gets about 0.8 GB/sec transmission, far faster than anything I've seen with wifi. In addition, since the computer (27" iMac) is obviously a desktop that I'm not going to be moving very much, it makes sense to hard wire it to the router.

Where it is practicable, use Ethernet. Use wireless when it's convenient or there is no other alternative. Wired is superior to wireless for many reasons.

I think the problem should be solved quite a few days ago. It is a vexing problem.

Apple please we want a solution soon.

I am having the same problem, when I wake up my iMac from sleep with the keyboard, trackpad or mouse it wakes up without WiFi connection, but if I wake up with the power button everything is OK. I am not sure if this problem starts with Mac OS X 10.7.3 or with the AirPort Extreme update.

I hope Apple find a solution fast, it is a very annoying problem.

Same problem here.  Just purchased my first iMac, a 21.5" back in February 11 (which I love besdies this annoying problem).  Have had the same success using the power button instead of the mouse or keyboard to wake with wifi working.  That is the best option so far.  Have tried all the other ideas with setting an manual ip address and the such with no success.  The last update was suppose to correct this issue, obviously not.  I hope that Apple is monitoring these and they come up with a fix quickly.  I like the option of tapping the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard to wake, a lot easier than reaching around back to depress the power botton.

I too have similar problem. Just bought my imac last feb 13 2012 and noticed that after sleep my wi-fi wont turn on. What's worse is i have to reboot. What's annoying is its only days old and problems like these show up in less three days after buying.

Is this a hardware problem? Should i return my mac or wait for a software update?

I am not an expert here.  But what I have experienced is that the wifi will wake after sleep only if you wake using the power button.  I have been doing this for the last few days and have had 100% success.  I rarely had success waking the mac using the mouse or keyboard.....argh!  If your machine will not reconnect after sleep by presssing the power button, then there may be another problem.  Could be with the imac itself or an access point/router issue.

I too have similar problem. Just bought my imac last feb 13 2012 and noticed that after sleep my wi-fi wont turn on. What's worse is i have to reboot. What's annoying is its only days old and problems like these show up in less three days after buying.

Is this a hardware problem? Should i return my mac or wait for a software update?

Have you tried just quickly pressing the power button to wake it from sleep?

If that doesn't work then you might have a separate issue and you should probably call your Apple store or Apple reseller for an appointment if necessary or call Applecare if you bought it online.

Probably not connected but I didn't have any connect problems until I installed Lion last summer.  And now, since an Apple "update" last week, the problem is much worse.  Waking up with the power button is not a satisfactory fix!!  My iPad II works just fine on the same net.  I use an Airport router.

everyone who prchased their computers should do what i did .  i returned 3 new machines within 2 weeks with the same wifi issue and on the 3rd apple gave me the upgrade on the 4th for free(1tb) 21.5 mac and so far no issues.  apple has a litle known policy that after so many returns for the same issue they up grade for no cost good luck and demand a fix.  would you jump start your new car everytime you went for a drive.   No