Upgraded MacBook Pro to 10.8.5 but no longer detects any WiFi networks!

Question

pdeloulay Author

Level 1

0 points

Upgraded MacBook Pro to 10.8.5 but no longer detects any WiFi networks!

Was working just fine prior to today's upgrade from 10.8.4 to OS X 10.8.5 (12F37) - Serial W8*******71C

Wi-Fi: Looking for networks... does not look up any availanble networks home or usual suspects around me.

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: 6.3.1 (631.4)

Interfaces:

en1:

Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x8D)

Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.17)

MAC Address: xxx

Locale: FCC

Country Code: X0

Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Supported Channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165

Wake On Wireless: Supported

AirDrop: Supported

Status: Off

MacBook Pro

Posted on Sep 12, 2013 6:42 PM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 12, 2013 9:19 PM in response to pdeloulay

Wi-Fi is turned off. Turn it on in the Network preference pane.

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Answer 2

pdeloulay Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 13, 2013 9:29 AM in response to pdeloulay

Turning Wi-fi On in the Network preferences does not bring it back on and no error message is reported.

From the Menubar it shows that it is on and start the WiFi detection process and return none.

WiFi logs (var/log/wifi.log) also dont show anything output regarding this operation

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 13, 2013 9:50 AM in response to pdeloulay

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

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Answer 4

pdeloulay Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 13, 2013 5:12 PM in response to Linc Davis

Here is the outcome of the next round of test

1. rebooted in safe boot mode (SHIFT on restart) - same situation

2. rebooted in normal mode - same situation

3. rebooted in utility mode (COMMAND-R on restart) - swtich to Disk Utility - WiFi was alive with all scanned networks and connected to home network!

4. rebooted in normal mode - back to same issue

Please note that prior to the upgrade I was on Wifi - Downloaded the OSX update using WiFi and the performed the required system restart. That is when it stopped working on FIRST system reboot after upgrade was performed. Did not install any other apps since. Did not make any network configuration since.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 13, 2013 5:25 PM in response to pdeloulay

I've seen a couple of reports like yours. It seems that there's a bug in the update that affects only some models. I suggest you boot into Recovery again and reinstall the OS. If there's no improvement, make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or roll back to 10.8.4 by restoring from a backup.

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Answer 6

Sep 14, 2013 11:59 PM in response to pdeloulay

I am having the same problem with a late 2008 macbook model, and in some way(which I don't know) the wifi came back sometimes after reboot. For the last time, I have rebooted for around 10 times to get the wifi back and then I decided not to shut down until Apple fix this bug.

Notice:

In my case, this way always works but it costs sometime, because you never know in which reboot the wifi will came back.

Each time I reboot, I do click "turn on the wifi", which is by default turned off, then I check whether the wifi is back. If not, reboot again.

If you luckily have your wifi back, don't reboot then, cuz you will lose it again. I've verified this for two times until I got wifi back for the third time .

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Answer 7

wifiguru

Level 2

240 points

Sep 15, 2013 1:22 PM in response to Ethan-Wang

Have you guys tried completely shutting down the Mac ( disconnect from AC power) , wait 5 minutes and then restart it and check if Wi-Fi shows up ?

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Answer 8

pdeloulay Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 16, 2013 10:53 AM in response to wifiguru

Unfortunately - Rebooting it few times did not bring up WiFi - Sorry but I am not a strong believer in the "Wait 5 and unplug" remedy.

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Answer 9

pdeloulay Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 16, 2013 12:10 PM in response to pdeloulay

Here is what allowed me to get WiFi working again on my Late 2008 MacBook Pro. Again this was clearly associated with the 10.8.5 upgrade - see original post. No Need to resinstall the OS. The following instructions worked for me and resolved the issue I had encountered and posted on this thread. Hope it will work for others as well.

1. Go to System Preferences > Network

2. Remove (all) Wi-Fi Network (by selecting the Wi-Fi entry and press the '-' button)

3. Save configuration if asked

4. Shutdown

5. Start

6. If WiFi on Menubar - please note that it is turned-off - Open Network Preferences... is the only option available

7. Select or Go to System Preferences > Network

8. Add a new Wi-Fi network by selecting the '+' sign

9. Accept default and Save configuration if asked

10. Press the Turn WiFi On button (cross your fingers :-)

11. It is now On then Connected if you pick up your usual networks around you

Thanks.

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Answer 10

DRAZY815

Level 1

0 points

Sep 16, 2013 3:53 PM in response to pdeloulay

Thanks for those suggestions but they didn't work for me. This solved my problem - http://osxdaily.com/2012/11/30/resolving-stubborn-wi-fi-connection-problems-in-m ac-os-x/

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Answer 11

Sep 18, 2013 3:21 PM in response to pdeloulay

I had this same problem. I fixed it by reseting the PRAM.You can go to this apple support page for details on how to do this. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

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Answer 12

hwgates

Level 1

4 points

Sep 22, 2013 5:50 PM in response to pdeloulay

This works for me, except that everytime I reboot I am having to reboot again after these steps. A permanent fix would be nice.

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Answer 13

Sep 26, 2013 9:49 PM in response to pdeloulay

i had this saaaame problem and i tried a bunch of different things, but I just reset my PRAM like someone said above ^^^ shut down your computer, hit OPTION + COMMAND + R + P and turn it back on. Then it will restart again, and you'll be good to go, hopefully! 🙂

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Answer 14

Sep 27, 2013 6:41 AM in response to burlguuurl

Thanks. I just tried that a second time and no luck. I have seen people say reinstalling the os might work as well. I assume I can do this fairly easily? Would I have to reinstall and reconfigure apps and settings and reload music and photos? Or would a reinstall not affect those items.

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Answer 15

Sep 28, 2013 11:32 AM in response to pdeloulay

None of the supplied "answers" worked for me. After a restart, I was unable to turn on the wireless function. Deleted prefs; boot into Safe Mode and then restart; remove from power and let rest for 3-10 minutes; PRAM and SMC reset; deleting wifi and bluetooth from within Network settings, then adding anew; none of it made an bit of difference.

I reinstalled 10.8 over 10.8.5. Then I applied the 10.8.4 COMBO updater.

That works.

Do not update to 10.8.5 is the only sure-fire solution I found.

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