How to fix my slow wifi on my Macbook Air?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How to fix my slow wifi on my Macbook Air?

Hello!

I have been having issues with wifi on my late 2010 Macbook Air. I have OSX 10.9.4. I notice that my wireless issues are fine if I'm within 10 feet from my wireless router. If I boot my same MBA using Windows, I have no issues what so ever and can even go outside and have great speeds. I have tried different browsers on the mac side with no change, I have also tried different networks with no change. I have used my fiancé's MBP and she has great connectivity throughout the house. So, I have ruled out a network issue and a hardware issue as the internet is fine on my MBA when using the windows side.

I do have to mention that my screen was replaced a little over two years ago and did read that some people who had repairs done to their laptops sometimes found that their antennae was not properly hooked back up, but again, I'm ruling this out because I believe I would still have connectivity issues on the windows side of my MBA?

I have done some research here and tried disabling BT with no luck. I also tried fixed 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz channels with no luck either. Also, in my research, I found a neat app called EtreCheck and have posted those results below. Any tips or trouble shooting I can try from here would be greatly appreciated!

EtreCheck version: 1.9.12 (48)

Report generated July 8, 2014 at 7:14:07 AM EDT

Hardware Information:

MacBook Air (13-inch, Late 2010) (Verified)

MacBook Air - model: MacBookAir3,2

1 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information:

NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1440 x 900

System Software:

OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) - Uptime: 0 days 0:28:55

Disk Information:

APPLE SSD TS256C disk0 : (251 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 222.82 GB (16.94 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB

Windows HD (disk0s4) /Volumes/Windows HD: 27.32 GB (1.08 GB free)

USB Information:

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

Apple Inc. FaceTime Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Configuration files:

/etc/sysctl.conf - Exists

Gatekeeper:

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions:

[not loaded] com.FTDI.driver.FTDIUSBSerialDriver (2.2.10) Support

[not loaded] com.iospirit.driver.rbiokithelper (1.5.5) Support

[not loaded] com.kodak.print.printerdock.merge (1.0.0) Support

[not loaded] com.option.driver.Option72 (2.15.0) Support

[not loaded] com.option.driver.OptionHS (3.26.0) Support

[not loaded] com.option.driver.OptionMSD (1.21.0) Support

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist Support

[loaded] com.sonos.smbbump.plist Support

[running] com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd.plist Support

Launch Agents:

[running] com.flipvideo.FlipShare.AutoRun.plist Support

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist Support

[running] com.trusteer.rapport.rapportd.plist Support

User Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

[loaded] com.iLike.Agent.plist Support

[not loaded] com.valvesoftware.steam.ipctool.plist Support

[running] ws.agile.1PasswordAgent.plist Support

User Login Items:

Messages

Dropbox

Google Drive

Internet Plug-ins:

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16 - SDK 10.8 Support

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 13.0.0.214 - SDK 10.6 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flash Player: Version: 13.0.0.214 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 9.5.5 Support

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 25 Check version

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 5.1 Support

Silverlight: Version: 4.0.51204.0 Support

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

Safari Extensions:

Twitter for Safari: Version: 1.02

1-ClickWeather: Version: 1.0

1Password: Version: 3.9.20

Add To Amazon Wish List: Version: 1.4

Bing Highlights: Version: 1.0.24

Audio Plug-ins:

BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9

AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

iTunes Plug-ins:

Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

User iTunes Plug-ins:

iLike: Version: 1.0 Support

PPC Bundle: Version: (null) Support

iLike Bundle: Version: (null) Support

Tiger Bundle: Version: (null) Support

User Internet Plug-ins:

Move-Media-Player: Version: npmnqmp 071500000273 Support

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 Support

WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Flash Player Support

Flip4Mac WMV Support

Java Support

MediaCentral Support

Perian Support

Trusteer Endpoint Protection Support

Time Machine:

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 207.52 GB Disk used: 191.74 GB

Destinations:

Data [Network] (Last used)

Total size: 2

Total number of backups: 156

Oldest backup: 2010-11-24 08:54:54 +0000

Last backup: 2014-07-07 23:27:21 +0000

Size of backup disk: Excellent

Backup size 2 > (Disk size 207.52 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU:

18% WindowServer

7% PluginProcess

4% com.apple.WebKit.Networking

2% coreaudiod

2% Safari

Top Processes by Memory:

152 MB Safari

90 MB rapportd

86 MB mds_stores

78 MB Dropbox

78 MB Messages

Virtual Memory Information:

593 MB Free RAM

1.78 GB Active RAM

887 MB Inactive RAM

538 MB Wired RAM

354 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

Posted on Jul 9, 2014 4:13 AM

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Answer 1

ajnealey Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 9, 2014 4:18 AM in response to ajnealey

Also, I should mention that I have a new Time Capsule that is 802.11ac capable.

Also, my mobile devices also have great coverage and download speeds throughout the house.

Thanks again for any tips/tricks!

AJ

Reply

Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 9, 2014 8:35 AM in response to ajnealey

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, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.

Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually login 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, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Reply

Answer 3

ajnealey Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 9, 2014 5:21 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hello Linc Davis!

Thanks for the reply! Just restarted as instructed in safe mode and the problem is still present.

Next test to try?

Thanks again,

AJ

Reply

Answer 4

ajnealey Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 9, 2014 5:24 PM in response to ajnealey

Also, some other things to note, not sure if it's worth mentioning or not, but I'm also having trouble backing up my Time Machine as well as printing through my time capsule some of the time.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 9, 2014 5:40 PM in response to ajnealey

Start up in Recovery mode. In the OS X Utilities screen, select Get Help Online. A clean copy of Safari will launch. No plugins, such as Flash, will be available. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your saved bookmarks or passwords, so make a note of those before you begin, if they're needed for the test.

Test. After testing, restart as usual and post the results.

Reply

Answer 6

ajnealey Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 9, 2014 6:03 PM in response to Linc Davis

Very interesting, I started in recovery mode, went to "Get Help Online" and started browsing through websites as I started walking further and further from my time capsule and it actually worked on the other side of the house!....for about a minute before it reverted to it's old tactics and wouldn't load pages until I was right up on the Time Capsule again. I'm guessing this is a step in the right direction? Worked for a little bit, then failed.

Next test?

Thanks Linc!

AJ

Reply

Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 9, 2014 6:08 PM in response to ajnealey

Do you have this problem on other networks, or only on yours? Did you have it before you got the Time Capsule?

Reply

Answer 8

ajnealey Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 9, 2014 6:26 PM in response to Linc Davis

Ok, so I just connected directly to my Comcast Xfinity router and tried browsing regularly and in recovery mode. The connectivity is even worse. I need be within about 5 feet for it to even connect to the network. Even in recovery mode connected to the Comcast router, connectivity was just as bad the entire time. No improvement.

To answer your other question, I don't believe it ever being this bad even while I owned this Time Capsule. I purchased this Time Capsule about 6 months ago I believe. I've noticed these connectivity issues getting worse over the past month or two. Can't recall as to anything I would've download or done to have caused this problem.

Next?!

Thanks Linc!

Reply

Answer 9

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 9, 2014 8:22 PM in response to ajnealey

Please turn off Bluetooth and test.

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Answer 10

ajnealey Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 10, 2014 3:18 AM in response to Linc Davis

Bluetooth has been off this whole time

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Answer 11

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 10, 2014 6:15 AM in response to ajnealey

Hold down the option key and select the Wi-Fi menu in the menu bar. What values are shown for the following?

PHY Mode

Channel

Security

Signal/Noise or RSSI

Transmit Rate

Please do not post the BSSID, as that information is private.

Now hold down the option key again and select

 ▹ System Information... ▹ Network ▹ Wi-Fi

Compare the two-letter Country Code with the ISO code for your country. Does it match? The code X0 means that the country couldn't be determined. The code X3 means South America, not otherwise specified.

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Answer 12

ajnealey Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 10, 2014 8:17 AM in response to Linc Davis

Within 10 feet:

On Time Capsule's Network

PHY Mode: 802.11n

Channel: 149

Security: WPA2 Personal

RSSI: -52

Transmit Rate: 150

On Comcast Router Network

PHY Mode: 802.11n

Channel: 6

Security: WPA2 Personal

RSSI: -68

Transmit Rate: 65

At 20 feet with connectivity issues:

On Time Capsule's Network

PHY Mode: 802.11n

Channel: 149

Security: WPA2 Personal

RSSI: -70

Transmit Rate: 150

On Comcast Router Network

PHY Mode: 802.11n

Channel: 6

Security: WPA2 Personal

RSSI: -78

Transmit Rate: 59

The country codes do match

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Answer 13

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 10, 2014 9:54 AM in response to ajnealey

Reset the SMC and test.

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Answer 14

ajnealey Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 10, 2014 11:00 AM in response to Linc Davis

Reset the SMC and still no better

Reply

Answer 15

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 10, 2014 11:44 AM in response to ajnealey

There's no explanation that fits the facts you've stated other than a hardware fault or a bug in OS X. I know you say it works better in Windows. I suggest you take the machine to an Apple Store for testing.

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