When my wi fi access suddenly disconnects, I cannot use my preferences, restart or shut down. I need to do a hard shut down and then restart manually to get computer to work again. Any ideas why or what to do?

Question

Level 1

0 points

When my wi fi access suddenly disconnects, I cannot use my preferences, restart or shut down. I need to do a hard shut down and then restart manually to get computer to work again. Any ideas why or what to do?

When my wi fi access suddenly disconnects, I cannot use my preferences, restart or shut down. I need to force close all applications and cannot reopen any. I need to do a hard shut down and then restart manually to get computer to work again. Any ideas why or what to do?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Nov 13, 2013 11:28 AM

Reply

Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,516 points

Nov 13, 2013 12:03 PM in response to EarleneL

Have you tried restarting the router and modem? If that doesn't work another possible problem could be the DNS settngs your ISP uses. You can change them, I have provided instructions in

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3681

This may work for you.

Reply

Answer 2

EarleneL Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2013 1:52 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Forgot to mention the router and modem are working just fine because my other computer works and so does the ipad and iphone. If I do a hard shut down, and then turn it back on, internet connection is just fine.

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 13, 2013 2:02 PM in response to EarleneL

Try the basics first:

Change your router channel number. Most times this works & is all you have to do.

Disconnect & reconnect your modem. unplug it for about 10 seconds. Plug it back in. Do the same for Apple’s routers. Wait for everything to reboot.

System Preferences>Network

Click the Assist Me button.

In the next window that pops up, click the Diagnostic button & do the necessary.

Research Knowledge Base for network problems that pertain to the OS that is currently installed on your computer. See these basic networking KB Articles: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1401 AirPort troubleshooting guide

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4628
Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712 Using network locations in Mac OS X

Manually provided DNS server addresses are higher priority than DHCP's

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1714 Solutions for connecting to the Internet, setting up a small network, and troubleshooting

============================

What to do when you can't connect to the Internet

Also, run the Airport Utility app which is located inside the Utilities folder.

=====================

If using a Linksys router, contact LinkSys Customer Support and/or post in their forums.

If using Apple's Airport, please re-post over in one of the AirPort Forums.

Reply

Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,516 points

Nov 13, 2013 2:04 PM in response to EarleneL

Don't assume that becuase other devices seem to work OK it's not the router or modem. I'd recommend restarting both to see if those actions might help. Also try the DNS settings update, if that doesn't work you can easily uninstall them.

Reply

Answer 5

EarleneL Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2013 2:16 PM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

I have restarted both, have reset my Airport and done the Network Diagnostics and it tells me I am connected.

Reply

Answer 6

Nov 13, 2013 2:17 PM in response to EarleneL

So in 15 minutes you have tried all the other suggestions I linked?

Reply

Answer 7

EarleneL Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2013 2:38 PM in response to EarleneL

Yes, checked out each suggestion hoping it had something I had not already tried before posting. Unfortunately, your suggestions are good but didn't work first time I tried them before posting. Have tried alot and this is a last resort hoping someone else has had this problem. Afraid it may be a bad Airport card and this machine may need to go in for repair.

Reply