4940863492
Level 1 (8 points)
iPhone

Q: Weird Internet Connection Problem - Mail Works, Browsers Don't

I've recently started to get an odd connection problem.  For no reason at all my browser stars to act as if there is no internet connection.  I can be using the web when all of a sudden pages stop loading and the status bar sticks on 'Connecting to...." before I eventually get a timeout page.  I normally use Firefox, but if I try Chrome or Safari then they exhibit the same problem.  Obviously, the connection to the ISP has dropped - but here comes the odd stuff.

 

Mac Mail connects fine and I can successfully send and receive messages.  Mac Mail connection doctor connects successfully to all incoming and outgoing server connections. So I must be connected to the web.

 

If I run the Network diagnostics assistant it shows green lights all the way down - from WiFi thru ISP, Internet and server.

 

If I open Parallels and run Chrome in Parallels it connects to the internet fine - so I'm still connected to the web, it's just that my Mavericks browsers can't see it.

 

I usually use Firefox in Mavericks, but when this problem occurs switching to Chrome and Safari doesn't fix it - they both act as if I'm not connected. 

 

I've tried renewing DCHP lease, but it doesn't fix it. I tried turning off the firewall, but that didn't fix it.  I've tried Firefox in safe mode, but that doesn't fix it.

The only way to get the Mavericks browsers connected to the internet is to reboot the Mac.

 

So, to summarize - I'm connected to my ISP,  Mail connects, Chrome in Windows 7 under Parallels connects,  Network diagnostics says I'm connected but none of my Mavericks browsers can see the connection and they all return timeout pages.

 

This problem started relatively recently - in the last 3 or 4 weeks I think.

 

MBA 13, 8GB,  10.9.4.   Firefox 31,  Chrome 36.0,   Safari 7.0.5

 

Any help will be gratefully accepted.

 

Thanks.

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), 2GHz Intel Core i&, 8GB RAM

Posted on Aug 7, 2014 7:38 AM

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4940863492

Q: Weird Internet Connection Problem - Mail Works, Browsers Don't

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  • Helpful answers

  • by 4940863492,

    4940863492 4940863492 Aug 7, 2014 12:55 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 7, 2014 12:55 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks, Eric.  I've already seen some of these while trying to fix this problem and I checked the links you sent, but none of them help because I haven't got a problem with the wireless or internet connections - it's a problem with the Mac OS or something running in the background.  Here's why I think this.

     

    Wireless is fine - I've got transmit rate 104 with MCS index 13. I can see use my NAS, Time Machine and my printer.  I can stream movies and music from the NAS. 

     

    All Mac diagnostics tools tell me that my wireless  internet connections are working fine and they are.

     

    I can send and receive Mail and browse the web at full speed using  Chrome running under Parallels/Win 7.

     

    All my browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Safari) exhibit the problem at the same time, so I assume that it's not a browser-specific problem.  I've tried running Firefox in safe mode and it makes no difference.

     

    It seems that something is preventing the browsers from seeing the internet connection  - I tried disabling the firewall but it made no difference.

     

    Thanks for getting back.

  • by rack0 tack0,

    rack0 tack0 rack0 tack0 Aug 7, 2014 1:32 PM in response to 4940863492
    Level 4 (2,595 points)
    Aug 7, 2014 1:32 PM in response to 4940863492

    Are there any errors showing in the logs?

    Can you connect to a website with the IP address instead of the URL?

     

    edit: Have you any web filter software install such as DansGuardian?

  • by 4940863492,

    4940863492 4940863492 Aug 7, 2014 3:11 PM in response to rack0 tack0
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 7, 2014 3:11 PM in response to rack0 tack0

    HI rt.

     

    I saw the IP address suggestion when I re-read the stuff Eric sent (after I replied to Eric - so thanks, Eric) and I'll try it next time I have the problem, but I would have assumed that if the DNS lookup was not working properly then Mail wouldn't work because it wouldn't be able to resolve the mail servers.  However - I'm not a tecchie so apologies if I'm talking rubbish.

     

    I haven't got any web filters.

     

    Where would I find the logs?  I had a look in Firefox but I couldn't see any logs.

     

    Thanks for helping.

  • by 4940863492,

    4940863492 4940863492 Aug 7, 2014 3:48 PM in response to 4940863492
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 7, 2014 3:48 PM in response to 4940863492

    rt - sorry, I was being dumb.  I checked the console and a bit of reading and webwork leads to a possible Sophos problem (which I guess would qualify as a web filter - sorry if I didn't realize that AV would count).

     

    For those interested the error messages led me to the this site

     

    http://openforum.sophos.com/t5/Sophos-Anti-Virus-for-Mac-Home/Sophos-9-causes-Ma vericks-to-freeze/td-p/14893

     

    which has posts reflecting behaviour very similar to that I see.

     

    I'll do a bit more research and come back here if I make any progress.

     

    Meanwhile - if anyone else can chip in I'd be grateful.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 8, 2014 7:29 AM in response to 4940863492
    Level 9 (71,369 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 8, 2014 7:29 AM in response to 4940863492

    You are welcome.


    Try un-installing Sophos.


    Sophos Uninstaller


    Try running this program and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor.  Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read.


    Etrecheck – System Information

  • by 4940863492,

    4940863492 4940863492 Aug 8, 2014 2:39 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 8, 2014 2:39 PM in response to Eric Root

    Hi Eric. 

     

    I'll probably uninstall Sophos but I need to find an alternative first, so there's a bit of work to do.  I also need to wait for another crash to confirm that it is Sophos causing the problem - and if removing Sophos helps I'll report back here.  It'll go quiet for a bit cos I'm off to the country tomorrow where there's no internet at all!

     

    Thanks.