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New Macbook Air - wifi connectivity problems

Hey guys,


Hope someone can help?


I have a brand new Macbook Air which is able to connect to the internet for just a minute or two before suddenly it drops out. This is even though the signal still shows at full strength and all my other devices are still able to surf the net as per normal.


This device is straight out of the box so no 3rd party applications have been installed. I heard that the wifi has been upgraded to 802.11n on this machine, could that be an issue?


Do i need to return the machine or is there is a software fix for this problem?


Thanks heaps!


Vicky

MacBook Air, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Jun 13, 2013 5:55 AM

Reply
2,163 replies

Jun 13, 2018 2:13 PM in response to vhkim

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.

Jun 13, 2018 2:13 PM in response to vhkim

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.

Jun 13, 2018 2:13 PM in response to vhkim

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.

Jun 13, 2018 2:13 PM in response to vhkim

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.

Jun 13, 2018 2:13 PM in response to vhkim

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.

Jun 13, 2018 2:13 PM in response to vhkim

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.

Jun 13, 2018 2:13 PM in response to vhkim

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.

Jun 13, 2013 11:11 AM in response to vhkim

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.

Jun 13, 2013 11:51 AM in response to wifiguru

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.

Jun 13, 2013 3:37 PM in response to wifiguru

Hey wifiguru,


This is the info i get from diagnostics:


RSSI: -42 dbm

Quality: Excellent

Noise: -86 dbm

Tx Rate: 48 Mbps

Channel: 2


The wireless router that i'm using is a Netgear 54mbps Wireless ASDL2.


Unfortunutatly i'm not sure when i'll get a chance to test it on another wifi network though. Maybe on Sunday.


Thank you so much!


Vicky

New Macbook Air - wifi connectivity problems

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