New Macbook Air - wifi connectivity problems

Hi wsm0603,

I can verify that I had wifi issues on my MacBook Air 13" while running Windows 7 through Bootcamp. The issue is the same as Mac OS; wifi drops after a minute of connectivity and the only way to get it back is to disconnect wifi and reconnect.

However, after no success with altering router configuration and other suggestions posted here, I seem to have found a fix (for Windows at least). Here's what I did:

1. Connect to your wifi network.

2. Right click you network name in the taskbar and go to Properties.

3. In the Window that appears, go to the Security tab and click the Advanced Settings button.

4. In 802.11 settings, enable Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) compliance for this network.

After that, disconnect and reconnect to your wifi network, and it should work. I have verified this to continue working after a reboot, as well.

The thing is I'm unsure of why this works, as it is just something I randomly tried. Could anyone shed some light on what FIPS is or why enabling it would stop wifi from dropping (on Windows)?

Note: I have also tried this on 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi channels and it is now working (i.e. not dropping) for both of them.

Thanks

I just returned my new Macbook Air because of the same problem.

But for those who are keeping their new computer, I found an efficient way to solve it temporarily!

I got a wireless usb adapter (in my case the Long Range Wireless N150 USB Adapter from EnGenius).

The result was stunning. My connection worked perfectly again !!! It was stable and even faster than with my old Macbook.

I even began having second thoughts about returning the new Air under such circumstance. But I finally decided that I wanted a flawless machine. So I will buy it again later when I am sure it is not a hardware problem. In the mean time I will keep my new wireless USB adapter.

Hope this helps!!

Since it appears Apple is aware of this issue, for all you posters if you have a WiFi issue you should call AppleCare and ask them if you can get the fix that some guys have been mentioning here. Maybe that will help you out...

My new MBA is connected to wifi through AirPort Extreme when at home.

I travelled yesterday and connected to public WiFi in Munich airport - no problems and it was FAST.

Hi guys,

Gud news for you all. Just installed the released update on my new MBA 2013 and the issue has been gone! can get online really well. ABSOLUTELY FAST! will keep testing for more hours longer to make sure if the issue get return or not. God bless...!

That problem fixed ehh? Wonderful...

Now once they fix the OTHER PROBLEM in the Mac Air which is software, that being the TCP window size would not scale beyond 64KB meaning on 802ac

TCP window size defines the amount of data that a server can send before the client has to acknowledge that the data has been received

Meaning on 802ac (5Ghz) the Air is maxing out 17 gig per second in Mac OS, this problem is limited to OS's Wi-Fi networking stack……so people are getting average 60% or so faster over 2012 Mac Airs.

Whereas when bootcamped, the same air is getting 47 gig per second.. or 158% Faster

There is a conflict in the Max OS with the next generation 802ac

When the OS is fixed to get FULL potency out of the new 802ac, its reported that they will be around “158% faster than the 2012 Air”

So, right now nobody anywhere is getting past 70% faster 802ac over 2012 models in Mac OS,…..but once this little OS issue is resolved, Air users will be getting 158% faster 802ac like the bootcamped 2013 Air that has diff. TCP than that of the Mac OS

That’s a lot to look forward too, likely 10.8.5 OS update, Im assuming.

I have bought new MBA (i7, 512 hdd, 8 gb) in Apple Store in Florence (Italy) and wifi connettivity wasn't good.

Yesterday, I have changed MBA in Apple store with a new one, but the issue is the same. Probably, these new MBA have a common issue.

Well, I’m still wondering while mine works. Maybe the Apple stores got an older batch than the one I got by ordering directly through the online store?

What does a WiFi ‘system report’ give out? I have this:

Software Versions:

CoreWLAN: 3.4 (340.18)

CoreWLANKit: 2.0.2 (202.11)

Menu Extra: 8.1 (810.11)

configd plug-in: 8.5 (850.252)

System Information: 8.3 (830.5)

IO80211 Family: 5.3 (530.5)

Diagnostics: 2.1 (210.25)

AirPort Utility: 6.3 (630.34)

Buona giornata toscana 😉

The one I got online and who has the same wifi problem is also an upgraded model (i7, 512 hdd, 8 gb)

I installed the update as well and it didn't solve my problem at all. There's no change.

themechanic152 wrote:

I installed the update as well and it didn't solve my problem at all. There's no change.

well... so far so good for me.

mine is behaving well either on Apple APs and on a Linksys WAG120N configured for the "worse"... i.e. wifi is in Mixed mode,, WPA2 Personal, TKIP/AES, on channel 11.

To say the final word, I'll have to wait for Monday, when I'll be back in the office, where dropouts were constant and security is WPA2 Enterprise.

Since enabling my modem/router wifi (the WAG120N) that I've never used before having Apple Airport Extremes all over my house and connecting my MBA I have NO dropouts.

I'll get back to you on Monday...

BTW, I've looked into the package I've downloaded from appleseed and apparently there's a kext inside... no firmware or else, so the problem - so far - could be traced to the OS.

where can i get the appleseed update? please help sir. thankyou.

Glad to know I'm not alone in this issue. I kind of regret upgrading my laptop atm. Hopefully we can get a fix for this pretty soon.

finally upgraded my Airport N to AC and now it works.

I feel like Apple wants to sell more Airport ACs.

Sooo.. You fixed nothing and spent more money... Sending them in the direction of the people selling you broken hardware.

Great choice.