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wifi keeps dropping since Yosemite upgrade

Since upgrading to Yosemite, my previously-stable (with Mavericks) wifi connection keeps dropping. I have to click the wifi icon and re-select my network every minute or two. I have turned off bluetooth and uninstalled/reinstalled wifi and my networks. I have rebooted multiple times. No luck so far. It appears that others are having similar problems. Any solutions at this point?

Early 2013 MacBook Pro Retina 13" running OS X Yosemite 10.10

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Oct 16, 2014 11:23 PM

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Posted on Oct 16, 2014 11:28 PM

Hi ..


Might be corrupted network preferences as a result of the upgrade.


Open the Finder. From the Finder menu bar click Go > Go to Folder


Type or copy paste the following:


/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration


Click Go then move all the files in the SystemConfiguration folder to the Trash.


Restart your Mac.



See if that makes a difference.


Your Mac will generate a new SystemConfiguration folder for you.


If that doesn’t help, try here > Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity

312 replies

Feb 8, 2016 2:09 PM in response to mattormond

Hi,

I had same problem. I tried the solution deleting all the network configurations and restarting the macbook. It didn't work.


I noticed that this happened a lot while I was watching streaming, like netflix.


So, my doubt was that for some reason during the streaming (with power cable plugged in), osx was going for some reason in power saving mode.


I went to check the power saving settings, and noticed that even with the plugged power cable configuration had low settings, the same defaults for the unplugged power cable settings, something like 5 minutes screen off and 15 minutes deactivate...


By the way, I increased the time and unticked something related to the network too (I can't remember, don't have it with me right now to check what was), and this helped. The connection did not drop anymore.


Probably power saving modes deal also with network service availability, could be wanted or could be a bug in the system I don't know.


Maybe this could be related to the upgrade; maybe the installation process, apart upgrading the OS also sets some defaults that would be better not to change.


Just my two cents, I hope it helps.


Ciao.

Mar 27, 2016 8:31 PM in response to disketto

Hey guys i think i found a solution to your issue with the wifi. while i was searching for a similar issue on a old forum about the exclamation displaying in the wifi icon it seem to solve the same issue we are having with wifi disconnecting too often within minutes. i copied and paste it here


wifiguru wrote:


Backup these 2 files:

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist


Then delete these 2 files and reboot. If you upload these 2 files someplace I can take a look if something was wrong in there.


This is a link from the forum if you want to see actual the reference

Wifi Greyed out with exclamation mark, but wifi still works !! after Mavericks upgrade.

Apr 15, 2016 7:09 AM in response to mattormond

This fixed it for me: Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support


After months of 1-3 minute drop-outs and having to disconnect and re-connect wifi and after almost throwing my macbook against the wall I decided to investigate why. Heaps of ideas such as deleting settings, upgrading router firmware and changing network settings failed.

In my case I figured that power management was somehow screwing with the wifi chipset and causing it to drop out. Resetting the SMC on my macbook fixed it and now my wifi is screaming along, no problems at all, no more drop-outs. Fingers crossed the problem stays fixed.

May 30, 2016 1:04 AM in response to mattormond

I have a 2014 macbook pro retina and it was dropping out of wifi connection. Might have been after upgrade but can't specify. After months of Apple support, wiping software and reinstalling, wiping mail and reinstalling, problem SEEMINGLY solved. Significant interference in my home. Telstra 2ghz modem (3years old) is on same wavelength of all remote devices - garage openers, etc. Supplied 5ghz modem - $220. Apparenently Telstra know of this problem and are upgrading network but you need to buy the 5ghz modem. A wifi optimiser?? app on phone will identify problem (don't understand).Telstra contractor checked five times - first all channels red, next all ok and then back and forth showing the background interference.

May 30, 2016 2:49 AM in response to mattormond

Click on go > computer > macintosh HD > library > preferences > system configuration > remove network related plist files and folders : the folder > captive native support , com.apple.IPconfiguration.control.plist , com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist , com.apple.wi fi .message - tracer.plist , network interfaces.plist , com.apple.airport-preferences.plist , com.apple.smb.server.plist to a folder named for example 1. that should be formed on desktop


Then , click on go > computer > keep on holding option key > library > keychains > remove entire contents of keychains to a new folder named 2 on a desktop .


Once, again click on go > computer> hold option key > library , a folder named preferences > by hosts ( remove the contents ) to a third folder formed on desktop .


Restart from apple logo , keep these above contents for a day or two for safer side , if the issue is solved you can delete them in trash > restart > empty the trash .


Note : to form a new folder on desktop close all applications , then use key board short cut : press command +shift + N

May 30, 2016 4:03 AM in response to arya.i

It does .... I have zero wi-fi issues here with Yosemite...


create another account :

- System Preferences, Users & Groups, Unlock pane (if needed) and click the "+" sign.. Fill out Name, Account name, separate password. Make it Administrator.

- log out, and back into to account you just created.


Then try connecting to Wi-fi again... If issue is solved, it's account related... you can either keep using this logged on account and delete origional account from Users and Groups, . or re-install Yosemite

May 30, 2016 7:42 AM in response to appreciate

The next step you need to form a new network location

1. Quit all apps by using key board short cut command + tab + Q

2. Go to system preferences > network > open the padlock by entering user name and password > wi fi, then click on location & select edit locations > then click on plus sign to create a new location > a small window will appear prompting for router password & do settings as WPA2 personal .click on done .

3. Click on advanced > TCP /IP > click on renew DHCP .

4.Go to DNS settings click on plus sign and add DNS server settings as 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 > click on ok .

5. Go to hardware tab > configure it manually set MTU no to 1453 > click on ok .

6. In the last click on apply .

your network will be joined .

Jun 24, 2016 12:36 PM in response to adamkrause2004

1. In System Preferences » Energy Saver » Power Adapter tab:


- uncheck "Wake for Wi-Fi network access"


2. In System Preferences » Network:


- delete Wi-Fi from the service list by clicking the minus sign

- recreate the service by clicking the plus-sign


3. In System Preferences » Network » Wi-Fi settings » Advanced » TCP/IP


- change "Configure IPv6" to "Link-local only"


I'm not sure which of these steps worked for me, but one of them did.

After isolating it down to only my 2014 macbook pro that was having the issue I tried the steps above.

I've been running Wireless Diagnostics and my connection hasn't dropped since the fix. Before I tried this it was dropping every 10-15 minutes.

wifi keeps dropping since Yosemite upgrade

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