Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting in 10.8

I have the same problem with a MacBook Air mid-2011. Disconnects from my Airport Extreme frequently.

I had the same problem.

It seemed like it would hang on receiving new sites. Streaming music and video games worked OK.

In any case, after trying a bunch of different suggestions, the one that seemed to do the trick was changing the DNS settings to Open DNS. I think Mountain Lion reset the DNS to the modem DNS settings.

Now that the DNS is reset, it seems to be working great.

Under the advanced>DNS tab

Open DNS:

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

I have the same problem.

Since updating to Mountain Lion (10.8) my MBA mid 2011 keeps dropping the wifi. It doesn't really interrupt me because it does is when the machine is idle (or at least that is what I've noticed so far).

So, if I walk away from the machine for a while, but not long enough to sleep, when I return there's no wifi connection. The Airport icon on the menu bar is greyed out and things are complaining about not having a connection like Sparrow mail and Calendar. This never happened pre 10.8

If I start using the machine again, it will grab the wifi, but here's my 2nd problem. It seems that the logic for which network to choose is different somehow. I have 2 wifi networks I could be on (both on the same network). One has a much stronger signal than the other when I'm in my home office and visa versa when I'm in the main house. If I connect to the weaker one, I get an IP address, but don't really get any bandwidth so it's hopeless. Pre 10.8 the MBA would almost always choose the stronger signal. Now it doesn't and in the situation above (dropped connection re-established on new activity) the weaker signal is chosen even if I was previously on the stronger one. Re-ordering the networks in the Networ Utility won't help me because the order depends on whether I'm in the house or in the office.

A bit of a pain really.

I am having the same issue, I suspect it has something to do with Mountain Lion power nap, although I changed all the settings with no luck 😟

Hi Yakito,

I don't think it's the Power Nap as my isues started after the upgrade to ML, but before I installed the Power Nap update. I've now installed the update, but sitll have the problems.

Rob.

I had to enable my WiFi router to transmit "N" which is 5Mhz signal. After that the connection speed and reliability was so much better. You can option-click the WiFi icon in the Menubar to see info about how you are connected. The top of the list "PHY Mode" should hopefully read "802.11n" which is the fast connection 10.8 likes. Older routers may not be up to speed. How you get into your router's configuration is up to you to figure out.

I am kind of shocked that there are these wi-fi issues on practically a brand new MPB. I will try the suggestions on this page. I am even more shocked that these would be issues that would be specifically with someone who owns a MBP and a Airport Extreme Base Station. You would think that at least those two from the same maufacturer would continue to together after the upgrade.

I too am having consistent drops with the wireless on my iMac running 10.8. I'm getting several drops a day. I've tried using the name new location suggestion as well as the MTU but to no avail. Very frustrating!

I can confirm that this solution worked for me . For some reason it does seem the install clears out DNS servers. Once I entered them- everything- even time capsule started working like it was supposed to.

PHImhoff NH

Re: Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting in 10.8

Jul 27, 2012 6:34 AM (in response to meandmyevilclone)

I had the same problem.

It seemed like it would hang on receiving new sites. Streaming music and video games worked OK.

In any case, after trying a bunch of different suggestions, the one that seemed to do the trick was changing the DNS settings to Open DNS. I think Mountain Lion reset the DNS to the modem DNS settings.

Now that the DNS is reset, it seems to be working great.

Under the advanced>DNS tab

Open DNS:

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

I have exactly the same problem as you. I used to have no problem in wifi conncetion with Lion. However, after reinstalling Mountain Lion (not upgrade, complete new installation), the wifi will be disconnected if I'm not using the computer, and will reconnect automatically when i wake it up. I dont think it's normal usage. Apple should really fix this problem as I have noticed lots of people have this similar problem but cannot come up with a solution. :-(

Thanks for posting this information on the DNS entry. I made the changes and I have not had to deal with the nonstop revolving door on either of my time capsules!

@ Gnarlodious

when I "option-click the WiFi icon" in the Menubar

I CANNOT see the "PHY Mode" you are suggesting

all I see is join other networks

create network

open networks preferences

my WiFi also keeps disconnecting all the time which is really annoying beside many other issues with apple products

since a week I'm trying to d/l the HP printer drive which has become a ridiculous 500mb monster

just to print on a chinese HP plastic printer

I use a PC for d/l watch videos and to do important work

my MBP keeps overheating

although I just changed the logciboard because overheating which cost me $500

after only 13 months of normal usage

why is there no spell checker here?

@ Micah Eavenson

"snow" is stll the best os

beside the no sound issue after updating

Ok, so I just got in the same boat as you guys who noticed wifi connection problems after the Mountain Lion upgrade. I use a cable (comcast) router system. It was squirly after the last upgrade, but Apple patced that up and it was fine after that. Its wierd because I just installed 10.8.1 yesterday (took half a day to download) and the next thing you know evey time I woke it up I was off line. It somehow affected the both the wifi signal and the data stream. Sometimes I'd get a wifi signal, but no data and then sometimes no wifi signal. It seems like there's a problem within 10.8 like there was with 10.7. I just have to keep resetting my router. At the moment that's the only way I can deal with it.