Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new 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

25 replies

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 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.

dmdimon

Level 3

856 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:30 PM in response to Csound1

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.

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 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.

dmdimon

Level 3

856 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:39 PM in response to Csound1

hey, i wrote everywhere 'may be' and 'AFAIK', and I said - I was wrong. I gived already up )

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:45 PM in response to dmdimon

dmdimon wrote:

hey, i wrote everywhere 'may be' and 'AFAIK', and I said - I was wrong. I gived already up )

Before you have to resort to 'may be' and AFAIK you could check, then you would know, and 'may be' would not be required.

Posting continually incorrect and/or incomplete information is unhelpful.

dmdimon

Level 3

856 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:55 PM in response to Csound1

And what I should do now? What you recommend? Self-crucification?

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:56 PM in response to dmdimon

You may make your own choices there.

dmdimon

Level 3

856 points

Oct 10, 2012 1:09 PM in response to Csound1

already made. As I get that I'm wrong I immediately said it loud to let people avoid hassle.

dmdimon

Level 3

856 points

Oct 10, 2012 1:29 PM in response to cwalkerb

just for curiosity - can you disable 5 GHz in NetGear and tell us - will it help? I think it will not, but check is so easy...

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!

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