WiFi problem on Macbook Air - keeps timing out

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WiFi problem on Macbook Air - keeps timing out

I have moved into a new house and the home WiFi does not work very well for me; no one else's macbook is having difficulties with this WiFi. This leads me to suppose that the problem lies with my Mac. However, my Mac has absolutely no problem with any other WiFi network - 2 different ones at university, and my parents' one.

The problem with my home WiFi is that the connection keeps timing out. It'll work fine from anything from 2 minutes to 15 and then time out. It happens with any web browser that I use. I have a full five bars when this happens, and it occurs even when I'm at home on my own and I'm the only one connected to the internet.

Could someone please suggest a fix for me?

I have an early 2014 Macbook Air

OS X Yosemitie 10.10.5

Posted on Sep 23, 2015 12:28 PM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Sep 23, 2015 3:51 PM in response to pandarus

Take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried, until the problem is resolved. Some of these steps are only possible if you have control over the wireless router.

Step 1

Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.

Step 2

Restart the router and the computer. Many problems are solved that way.

Step 3

Change the name of the wireless network, if applicable, to eliminate any characters other than letters and digits. You do that on your router via its web page, if it's not an Apple device, or via AirPort Utility, if it is an Apple device.

Step 4

Run the Network Diagnostics assistant.

Step 5

In OS X 10.8.4 or later, run Wireless Diagnostics and fix the issues listed in the Summary, if any.

Step 6

Back up all data before proceeding.

Launch the Keychain Access application in any of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ Open LaunchPad and start typing the name.

Enter the name of your wireless network in the search box. You should have one or more "AirPort network password" items with that name. Make a note of the name and password, then delete all the items. Quit Keychain Access. Turn Wi-Fi off and then back on. Reconnect to the network.

Step 7

You may need to change other settings on the router. See the guidelines linked below:

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points

Potential sources of interference

Step 8

Make a note of all your settings for Wi-Fi in the Network preference pane, then delete the connection from the connection list and recreate it with the same settings. You do this by clicking the plus-sign icon below the connection list, and selecting Wi-Fi as the interface in the sheet that opens. Select Join other network from the Network Name menu, then select your network. Enter the password when prompted and save it in the keychain.

Step 9

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC).

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