New Macbook Air - wifi connectivity problems

I have the exact same problem.

The connection works fine upon startup but after some time the connection drops. The wifi icon still shows full signal. Turning off the wifi and turning it right back on restores the connection but interrupts any download that was taking place in the background.

I have tried three different routers. Same problem.

I have some good news!

I went to the Apple store here in Hong Kong with my MacBook air. The genius guy I talked to have personally heard about this problem and has also read up on it. He says he believes is a software problem and that Apple will Release a fix shortly. We also tested the connection in the Apple store and it did not drop the connection.

Here's the good news, he did mention that The genius guys received an internal memo this morning stating that Apple HQ is aware of this problem and are working on a fix. He did note that this was not an official acknowledgment but for internal use only.

Let's hope they fix it soon.

PS.after having had no issues at the Apple store I visited a Starbucks and a restaurant and the connection dropped at both places.

An Apple engineer called me this morning and I spoke to him for one hour. Apple is very much aware of this issue and are actively trying to figure out what is causing it. So far they don't seem to have a solution.

All in all this is good news. At least it is something.

Try changing security to WPA2 Personal and Security Key to AES. This helped me in the sense that the wifi connection is automatically being picked up after dropping for a couple of seconds. No security also seems to work well.

No perfect solution but better than restarting all the time.

After having had a lot of drops I decided to buy the new AirPort Extreme.

The AirPort Extreme sends out a 5ghz AC signal and 2.4ghz A/B/N signal. My MBA connects to the 5ghz AC signal and works perfectly. Security is WPA2 Personal.

Streaming from ITunes to Apple TV works fine without drop outs.

My experience is that 5ghz is more stable than 2.4ghz, WPA2 PersonL is better than WEB and that AES is better than TKIP.

Hope the above helped till Apple fixes the issue.

By the way, I am receiving a replacement MBA on Friday or next week. Wanted to be sure although I am positive that we are dealing with a Wifi Security bug.

EVERYBODY, GIVE APPLE A BREAK.

As all of you can read on this thread is that Apple is working with select of us to test a fix that they have developed. We are working directly with Apple engineering so Apple is very much aware of this. Since we are testing a software fix and not new machines I am positive that we are dealing with a software/firmware issue.

The issues predomently happen of WEP/TKIP and b/g routers. Try changing to WPA2p/AES and 5Ghz. It should help you till Apple fixes this for good. Also, upgrade your router firmware to latest version.

I have found a solution. At least it works for me so far. I used to have constant dropouts before.

All you need to do is to boot into internet recovery, partition your drive using the disk utility tool and install a fresh copy of Mountain Lion. That's it.

Let me know if it works for you. As I said, it worked for me.

It depends what the physical body of the computer is touching (!!!!)

mine was touching another computer and it made the WIFI not work (show as yellow), moving the Macbook air made the wifi green. moving it again next to the other computer made it yellow.

unbelievable.

I have the same problem with my 2013 MacBook Air 11 inches. Something I never had with my iPad, MacBook, iPod or iPhone. The connection drops and the MacBook fails to recognize the signal even close-up. Restart is the only way around it. It does happen once or twice a day.

What wireless router are you using ? And can you connect to any other wireless network or is this specific to just one network ?

Launch Wireless Diagnostics ( Option click on WiFi Menu Extra and you will see this at the bottom) and under Window->Utilities in the menu item, go to the Performance Section. What do you see there for Quality,RSSI,Noise,TX Rate,Channel ? Paste that info. here and I can try to help.

Airport Extreme is my router. In general no problem at all with this the network for this MacBook or any of my other of my Apples. I have only one network here. The breakdown only happens occasionaly and I don't see myself sitting somewhere else for hours to see if it fails or not.

I am not sure where to find Wireless Diagnostics as you suggested. Looked under system preferences > network. Could you tell me where to find it? Thanks fo trying to help.

By the way, I want to add for everyone reading this: it is a grand little machine. The fastest kid on the block. 🙂 Buy it.

Option click on the Wi-FI Menu Extra icon on the FInder Bar at the top. At the very bottom, below all the wireless networks, you should see an option to launch Wireless Diagnostics.

Sorry. The only thing I see on the Finder top bar is the little "fan" for wifi and that does even remotely shows what you suggest I look at. 😕

Hello Guru: I lost connection again. I managed to find Network Diagnosis under System preferences but that does not help me a bit when the the connection it lost. Solution: restart. Suggetsions? Or have you given up?