Q: Wifi won't turn on since upgrade to Lion

So I really hate to even suggest this but I'm doing so because I believe this problem is significant. Has anyone thought about a class action suit to force Apple to correct this problem either through replacement systems or at least some sort of repair. Though it seems evident a repair isn't going to correct it. As I understand it the problem doesn't persist with newer machines, only the 2008 MB Pros?

Have you guys called tech support on this? I had the issues with my MacBook and iMac and both are now fixed. I see how you guys and gals are frustrated, but this is solveable.

Of course the problem is solvable, but Apple isn't likely to address it at this point. These are old computers that are out of warranty (or about to be). My 2008 MacBook will be four years old pretty soon. Apple does not care.

As to the question about heat causing this issue, there's an important point that hasn't been mentioned here: the problem doesn't occur on the same hardware when running Windows via Boot Camp. My old 2008 MBP basically can't use the built-in WiFi under 10.7.2. It will conk out after 1 minute, 1 hour or 1 day. Always. When running Windows 7, however, I have no problems whatsoever with the Apple wireless card.

Here are some basic facts about my computer and this issue. I won't speak for others.

1) Apple basically replaced every meaningful part in my computer last year under AppleCare. Since then the problem has returned.

2) This problem initially showed up with a Snow Leopard update. It does not occur under Leopard.

3) This problem does not occur at all when running Windows via Boot Camp.

To me this suggests that the problem can be fixed with a software/firmware update, but I do not expect we will ever see such an update from Apple.

I'm on a MBP early 2011 and I've got the same issue.  Sometimes wifi works fine, but then it will drop, or just turn off entirely.  If wifi turns itself off I can't turn it back on.  I click turn on over and over but it doesn't do anything.  However, I've found that restarting it sometimes randomly turn the wifi back on.

I had exactly the same issue. Rebooted a few times and the wifi turned on itself. Mine is also 08 unibody MacBook. Hope it helps.

I have the problem with not being able to turn the WiFi on after it drops, yet it will work after restart every time... but it will not stay connected. I have to cable connect every time I want the network/internet.  I'm booked in to the Apple Store, but I use my machine for work ... I cannot be without it!

still doesn't work on my 2008 17" even after wipe of drive and clean install of Lion.

still get a random network drop; then unable to Turn off/on Airport without a freaking system Restart  (arghhhh!!!)

so i have gone to Plan B:  bypassing Apple's buggy Airport driver, device firmware, and network configuration bug fest.

I purchased for $13 on Amazon, a little nubbin of a USB N WiFi adapter, namely,

Airlink101 AWLL5088 Wireless N 150 Ultra Mini USB Adapter

..... its quite svelte and sticks out even less than the magsafe adapter.

and, yes, only $13 ..... much less expensive than blood pressure medication

after an annoying few problems with Airlink's early Lion drivers, i switched to Realtek's (realtek.com) drivers since the device uses RealTek's RTL8188CUS chipset

wifi working,  the only wierdness is that Airlink/Realtek use a separate Wireless Utility program to configure the WiFi networks (SSID, keys, etc)

actually, this is a good thing since it bypasses the possible bug sources in Apple's code base.

The Cisco-Linksys WEC600N Dual Band Wireless-N Ultra RangePlus Expresscard I use in my early-2008 17-inch MBP doesn't need third party drivers or configuration software. It just shows up as a second WiFi interface (en2) under Snow Leopard/Lion.

In the 18 months I've been using it I've never had an issue. $34.95 on Amazon.

I took it to Apple, and after 5 hours of not being able to fix it, they gave me a brand new, top spec 15 inch ... £600 worth more than I paid for mine   Quite happy

Having tried all the advice, this was the solution for me:

http://timarnold.calepin.co/ssds-owc-data-doubler-airport.html

Lion update was just unlucky coincidence.

Believe it or not but disabling TIme Machine fixed the issue for me.

Worth a try.

I have a 17" MBP 2008. I too was suffering this problem with a clean install of Lion. Airport would work for about 5 minutes, then drop off and require a machine reboot before you could get it to switch back on again. Very odd. My symtoms matched that of the original poster kevinrobers. My firmware also matched that of those having the problem:

  Card Type:          AirPort Extreme  (0x14E4, 0x8C)

  Firmware Version:          Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.36.11)

I also have a 2007 15" MBP which us running Lion, connected to the same wireslss network, different frimware and no problems at all.

Anyway, I just noticed OS X 10.7.3 update just came out and included to some fixes to airport after sleep. What do you know, installed the update, problem gone away. Thanks to all that posted, it was a tough one if you ask me.

I'm really tired of my 2011 15" MBP. Really tired. The first one I had kept crashing within the two-week refund period so I exchanged it for a new one. Now this one has problems too. First battery life problems. Went in 3-4 times trying to diagnose the problem. Had to go to work without my computer several times- disaster. Second problem: Mail attachments from windows computers wouldn't open at all. Had to pay 30 bucks to get it sorted.   Now my WiFi doesn't work. Safari pages were not loading so I turned airport off and then on to try fix it. Now wifi won't start at all. I'm on 10.7.3. Called support and they said it was a hardware problem. Now my MBP is in the apple store getting the wifi card replaced. Two days later...I'm at work with no computer. I'm a pushover so I have no guts to stand up for myself in person. I'm. just. so. tired. of. my. computer. problems. zzzz I own a lot of apple stuff...no longer will I recommend apple products to friends. And I will seriously re-consider staying with Apple products down the line. 

Sorry if anyone else has already suggested this. I haven't read the entire thread. I had the same problem with my 2008 unibody MacBook. I cleared the P-RAM and now it seems to be working fine.

I have the same problem with my 2008 MacBook Pro. Wifi works for a minute or so then it stalls and I can't turn it on. I restart and most times I get wifi back for a minute or so. It's beyong frustrating. My config is the same as Chrishampart.

Card Type:          AirPort Extreme  (0x14E4, 0x8C)

  Firmware Version:          Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.36.11)

It's fine on ethernet but what's the point of a laptop that has to be cabled. It's time for a fix as nothing on this forum has worked for me.