Time Capsule 3TB random WiFi intermittent problem

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Level 1

39 points

Time Capsule 3TB random WiFi intermittent problem

My brand new Time Capsule randomly drops all WiFi connections, while the connections were dropped, all devices still show WiFi connected, no matter how long I wait, the problem won't fix itself. I had to either reset the Time Capsule (literally reset all connections), or reset WiFi connection on each device would also fix the problem. When it happens, it affect all bands and modes, 2.4GHz/5GHz and b/g/a/n/ac.

I have the lastest firewire and airport utility, I also have tried resetting the TC to factory default and reconfigured.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Kenneth

Posted on Aug 11, 2013 12:00 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 11, 2013 1:47 PM in response to Macbrush

I have the lastest firewire and airport utility

It is firmware.. but I get what you mean.

Sorry this issue comes up for some people. I don't think there is a lot that we can do to fix it.

When the wireless has dropped out try opening a terminal on the computer and ping the TC..

The command is simply ping 10.0.1.1

Assuming you haven't changed the IP of the TC. Use Control + C to stop the command.

If the TC itself refuses to respond then I would take it back to apple for replacement. If ping still responds the TC link by wireless is still working .. it has dropped internet. Which is another issue.

There are a number of people with the new AC model TC and AE posting with wireless dropout issues. But yours are particularly severe.

Some things you can try.. make sure the names in the TC are all short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric.

eg TC would be fine for TC name.

TC24ghz is fine for 2.4ghz band

Give 5ghz a different name.. just while you try and sort the problem.

TC5ghz is fine for 5ghz band

The disk share name should be data by default.. that is fine.

Now also set the wireless channels.. there are only 3 non overlapping at 2.4ghz.. 1, 6, 11 try each of those.

For 5ghz try forcing it to 40 or 48 or even lower if available. 36 .. then try the high channels. 157 or something near.

No luck just return it.

Apple have removed almost all diagnostics from the TC so there is almost no way to trouble shoot.. it works or not.

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Answer 2

Macbrush Author

Level 1

39 points

Aug 11, 2013 9:27 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thank you for your suggestions. I have actually already tried some of what you suggested and it seems when the connections got dropped, it is as if the data channel got reset in the TC while communication channel still stuck in the previous states and TC had no idea what's going on.

If I immediately check the data rate in my devices after the connections got dropped but before resetting, they will show the last known data rate, while if I look at the TC, those devices will show 1Mb/s which is the minimum communication channel rate. So I think you're quite right, its something to do with the firmware. I guess I will just wait for next update, and if that didn't fix the problem, I'll try an exchange from Apple.

I am also positive that it was a WiFi connection problem, not Internet.

I wish Apple would at least put some kind logs facility in TC and Airport Extreme which may make life much easier for users. I also wish Apple would put some more efforts on their WiFi development, I had had so many WiFi issues in the past like Snow Leopard WiFi dropping issue, Lion WiFi nightmare, and AppleTV WiFi recall..... seems that they could never got it right.

Cheers

Kenneth

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Answer 3

Aug 11, 2013 11:54 PM in response to Macbrush

I wish Apple would at least put some kind logs facility in TC and Airport Extreme which may make life much easier for users.

You do realise they just chopped it out.. there was log access to all the previous model TC and AE using v5 utility.. and SNMP access to the router itself.

Log access was removed from v6 utility. And now SNMP has been removed from all the AC product to ensure you cannot possibly know what is going wrong.

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