Q: New Macbook Air - wifi connectivity problems

My second one behaves exactly like the first one - not good.

It'd be nice to know if it was like this for the majority of 2013 macbook air users or just some of them.

I have order my MBA online with some upgrades and also having same WIFI issue. Does someone have this issue with the MBA from the store?

I have changed my WIFI Configure IPv6 Setting to Link-Local Only, and have been online for a while now withouth disconnection What does that setting do?

This is crazy bad.  I have spent several hours on the telephone trying to get this resolved and nothing seems to eliminate the issue....after several configuration changes to my home router it works better, however, it doesn't help me when I need to take my MBA outside my home (why I bought it in the first place) because it drops constantly on other networks.....MBA FAIL!!!

try changing your WIFI Configure IPv6 to Link-local only

So, I got home and returned the apple engineer's phone call today.  wouldn't you know it, missed office hours by 45 minutes!  Changed my router security settings to WPA2, AES and have now been online for 20 minutes, no dropped internet.  I'll keep running it through it's paces, but so far this is the longest i've stayed online using my home wi-fi.  I'll keep y'all updated how it's running, but I'm a little optimistic right now!!

Tim

Second MacBook Air is stable so far (Had the first for 3 days with WiFi issues, then machine bricked itself).  I've had the new Air connected to one of the routers that were causing major dropouts with the first Air - it's been about an hour and no dropouts so far (I've had Terminal ping running for an hour and have been checking the history log).  I'll report back if things start degrading again.

I'm using all default networking settings, WPA2 on router, 2.4GHz band.

I was also contacted by Apple engineering and gave them all my diagnostic info etc.  Hopefully they can find a software/firmware patch to fix the affected users.

Well, I've been connected, without interruption, for over an hour now. Only thing I've changed is my security settings on my home router.  Changed from WPA, TKIP, to WPA2, AES.  I did let the machine go to 'sleep' one time and it did not connect to my home router, I had to pick it from the list and no issues since then.  Other than that, it's worked flawless.  I'm hoping this fixes it, around the house anyways, but so far so good.  Not willing to travel and rely on it working just yet.  I'll keep trying to make it drop connection, but so far It's been running solidly since I got back in town.

Tim

I've found that I can 100% make my wifi drop if I'm connected to an 802.11g router and try to do apple tv airplay mirroring.  Connection drops within 10 seconds of mirroring starting (it initially works).

If i try the same thing when connected to a 802.11n or 802.11ac router then everything works fine.

Ive had 4 people with new Air issues contact me saying they called into Apple, and talked to senior Apple reps ....

and first thing the reps said was something like "lets see if you are on WPA2 or not"

So, there must be a LOT connected to this wifi issue and using Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) security access for "fixing the problem"

Yeah, that's been the workaround for me so far.  Too bad, it shouldn't be that way, regardless of what type of security YOU decide to use at home.  I'm not condoning using WPA2 to correct the issue makes it right, it's just a work around right now.  I'm sure Apple will figure it out soon so noone will have this problem.  It's just a nuicanse right now.  Going on 2.5 hours now, and still not a dropped connection, only when the machine 'wakes up', and will not automatically join a network is my only issue now, but that takes me like 2 seconds to click a wifi network.  I'm sure it's a easy fix, I just haven't looked into it yet!!

Tim

Thanks, just want to let you know again that deactivating my network security and using a mac adress control list (for avoiding unwanted people connecting) has kept me online 24/7, of course it's not a solution

OK, finally here's my findings:

I've had 2 MacBook Airs in the past 4 days.  Both of them exhibit IDENTICAL behavior regarding WiFi:

• Routers that caused dropouts on MBA #1 also caused dropouts on MBA #2.
• Conversely, routers that were stable with MBA #1 were stable with MBA #2.

The three routers I have tested both MBAs with (all with latest firmware):

• D-Link DIR-655 / 802.11n / 2.4GHz / WPA2 = dropouts
• AirPort Extreme 4th-gen / 802.11n / 2.4GHz / WPA2 = dropouts
• AirPort Extreme 5th-gen / 802.11n / 5GHz / WPA2 = stable

This is all fine, but it begs the important question these (dropping) macbook Airs are “house cats”,…they work fine (can be made to be) at home with new-tech  routers and base stations.

But, the alpha and omega premise of the AIR’s design is “pack it anywhere, everywhere”.

The large majority of Air lovers (myself) need these Airs to be AS compatable AS previous generation Airs when it comes to hooking up to public wifi in Backwater, USA  or a coffee shop at the base of Mount Everest etc.

If it (these problem Airs) are only good as pampered house cat computers, this is contrary to the entire premise of the go-anywhere macbook Air.