Why can't I connect to my NETGEAR router all of a sudden?

Question

Why can't I connect to my NETGEAR router all of a sudden?

This one is baffling me. So I have a wireless network set up in my apartment using a Netgear router. I've had it up and running for months without any problems. As of last night, my Macbook Pro has been unable to connect to it. It can recognize it along with all the other networks in the area but when I try to join it and enter my password, it says the password is invalid. Before, I never even had to enter a password other than the time I set it up. My xbox, ipod, etc. can still connect to the network just fine using the same password. I switched to Windows on my Macbook and was still able to connect on that side, and I could see that my password was still the same as I remembered. For whatever reason, I cannot connect to the router from the Mac side, even with the correct password, without it telling me the password is invalid and kicking me out. I've tried resetting the router, resetting the computer multiple times, changing the network's name and password, and everything else I can think of. I'm all out of ideas. Any thoughts? Thank you!

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Oct 2, 2012 4:55 PM

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Answer 1

cwalkerb

Level 1

0 points

Oct 10, 2012 4:38 PM in response to FailedOdyssey

Okay, I think I found a fix for my situation. I'll share it just in case it helps for someone else.

I took my Samsung SmartTV off the 5GHz (I'm not sure that it was working anyway and it was likely causing conflicts).
I reset the PRAM on my MacBook Air (prior to that, the laptop wouldn't let me delete the wireless networks).
I deleted the wireless networks and then reconnected to the 2.4GHz (it was better but then slowed down again).
I changed the channel on my wireless network from Auto to 11.

So far, so good. I've been using the wireless now for 10 minutes with no disconnection. I think the last step was probably the real fix.

Thanks for everyone's feedback!

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Answer 2

Oct 2, 2012 7:59 PM in response to sig

That was one of the things I tried. I can't change it without the old password though, and for some stupid reason the old password doesn't work on the OSx side of things. It's very strange. I went as far as to reset the router to factory settings and start from scratch. I established a new network, new password, and everything. My Xbox, PC, and the Windows side of my Macbook can all connect to it. But when I try to connect via the OSx side of things, it still says the password is wrong. It makes no sense to me and so far my conclusion is I need a new router, though that isn't the most satisfying of solutions.

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Answer 3

Oct 3, 2012 2:48 PM in response to sig

I appreciate the advice, but I'm pretty sure nothing in the manual is going to help me with this. I'm not new to setting up networks, and I know all the default jazz. I am able to set up the network and get through just fine on everything except for the OSx side of my laptop. I know all the basics of routers and networking, this is just a special case I can't figure out.

Basically the only thing that's going to help me is if someone knows why the password would work for everything except the mac side of my laptop. It makes no sense, and my guess is the router just ***** or I did something crazy without knowing it to mess things up. I'd say the router *****, but it's worked fine for me until this incident and even now it's only being weird on one operating system.

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Answer 4

cwalkerb

Level 1

0 points

Oct 10, 2012 6:30 AM in response to FailedOdyssey

Did you figure out a fix to this yet? I am having the same issue. Just bought a new NetGear router. Set it up using my MacBook Air. Now every device in house (gaming systems, blu-ray, PCs, Android phones) will connect except my MBA. I've tried connecting it via ethernet and no luck there either. And yes, I've tried all the fixes recommended above.

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Answer 5

dmdimon

Level 3

856 points

Oct 10, 2012 7:00 AM in response to cwalkerb

may be, just may be - MBA can be the only device in 5 GHz set. If so - may be internally netgear think that in is not same lan as 2.4 GHz. If so - security settings can prevent from access. Check is simple - force 2.4 GHz on MBA and try to connect.

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Answer 6

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2012 7:19 AM in response to dmdimon

dmdimon wrote:

may be, just may be - MBA can be the only device in 5 GHz set. If so - may be internally netgear think that in is not same lan as 2.4 GHz. If so - security settings can prevent from access. Check is simple - force 2.4 GHz on MBA and try to connect.

?

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Answer 7

dmdimon

Level 3

856 points

Oct 10, 2012 7:29 AM in response to Csound1

from the list:

every device in house (gaming systems, blu-ray, PCs, Android phones)

MacBook is almost for sure the only one connected at 5 GHz. And it is the one not working. same for previos poster. It may be coincedence. And maybe not - if NetGear thinks that 5 GHz is somehow different subnet. Of course it is a NetGear bag if it is so.

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Answer 8

cwalkerb

Level 1

0 points

Oct 10, 2012 11:41 AM in response to dmdimon

Both my TV and MacBook are connected at 5GHz, so the idea that there's a conflict makes sense. Maybe I'll try disconnecting the TV and seeing if the MacBook works then. For some reason, I can't get my MBA to "forget" the network. I keep deleting it in network preferences, but it pops right back up.

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Answer 9

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2012 11:44 AM in response to dmdimon

dmdimon wrote:

from the list:

every device in house (gaming systems, blu-ray, PCs, Android phones)

MacBook is almost for sure the only one connected at 5 GHz.

cwalkerb wrote:

Both my TV and MacBook are connected at 5GHz

There goes that theory

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Answer 10

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:23 PM in response to dmdimon

dmdimon wrote:

new information arrived 🙂 I havent heard of 5GHz TV, but that doesn't matter.

Matter that MBP doesn't connect even over cable - i missed it at first.

Looks like I'm wrong.

But the OP stated:

cwalkerb wrote:

I switched to Windows on my Macbook and was still able to connect on that side, and I could see that my password was still the same as I remembered.

So the hardware works

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Answer 11

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:24 PM in response to cwalkerb

cwalkerb wrote:

Both my TV and MacBook are connected at 5GHz, so the idea that there's a conflict makes sense. Maybe I'll try disconnecting the TV and seeing if the MacBook works then. For some reason, I can't get my MBA to "forget" the network. I keep deleting it in network preferences, but it pops right back up.

Delete the Wi Fi connection completely and make a new one, then try to connect to your router again.

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Answer 12

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:32 PM in response to dmdimon

dmdimon wrote:

AFAIK bootcamp windows don't use 5 GHz, just 2.4. So that was in my theory favor )

Again - as MBP can't connect over wire - I'm wrong, nothing to do with 5 GHz.

Windows 7 installations can use 5Ghz wireless just as the Mac side can.

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