geeree

Q: Why the puzzling WiFi behavior on 13” Retina MacBook Pro?

Hello: I am seeing really puzzling WiFi behavior on my MacBook Pro. I am using a new MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) with OS X 10.11.1. My WiFi access point is a Virgin Media UK Super Hub, which operates simultaneously at 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. Here is what seems to be happening:

 

  • Often, randomly, the WiFi on the MacBook Pro stops working. The WiFi Status Menu in the Menu Bar continues to show that the computer is connected to the access point but I am unable to connect to the Internet (pings do not reach destination, Safari cannot open web sites, Dropbox and email stop working).
  • This has occurred mostly at home, with the router mentioned above. I was unable to replicate the problem at will; it occurs randomly. Outside of home, this has so far occurred only once, when I was traveling in Germany. At that time, however, the WiFi recovered on its own. Usually, it does not.
  • When this occurs, WiFi works fine on my other devices (iPad and iPhone).
  • Apple Phone Support advised that I try zapping my NVRAM and reset the SMC. When I do this WiFi starts working perfectly well again, until it fails randomly again (usually in a few days).

 

On the one hand, it seems like the problem is with the MacBook Pro, because my other devices work well and because the MacBook Pro recovers (if only for some time) after resetting the NVRAM and the SMC. But on the other hand, I wonder if the problem could be with the router because WiFi on the MacBook Pro has worked fine outside home. It has been difficult to decide one way or another because the problem occurs randomly.

 

Has anyone here encountered something similar? Are there any users on the MacBook Pro and Super Hub combination like me? Could someone please comment and help me decide if this is a problem with my MacBook Pro and not my access point, and what the best solution might be? Thanks!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Nov 22, 2015 9:03 AM

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Q: Why the puzzling WiFi behavior on 13” Retina MacBook Pro?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by jimchik2,

    jimchik2 jimchik2 Nov 22, 2015 3:43 PM in response to geeree
    Level 1 (54 points)
    iPad
    Nov 22, 2015 3:43 PM in response to geeree

    I'm also having serious Wifi issues. My MBP was purchased new in September. The issue was showing itself both with Yosemite and now El Cap. My iPhone and iPad are trouble free on the same homer network. In fact I'm usually tethering off one of those while working, just for stability's sake.

     

    I look froward to hearing about solutions. But has anyone been to a Genius Bar with this problem, or dealt with tech support (assuming that in the latter case they don't spend an hour and a half making the customer reset and/or reinstall everything, etc., all for no reason...)

  • by my ginger,

    my ginger my ginger Nov 22, 2015 4:31 PM in response to geeree
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Nov 22, 2015 4:31 PM in response to geeree

    Here are some links for checking you wifi.https://support.apple.com/kb/PH21677?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US andhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202663 Some times it has been noted that when you mac tries to use the 5g band instead of the 2.4 g it stops working good.

  • by 19hour,

    19hour 19hour Nov 22, 2015 9:48 PM in response to jimchik2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 22, 2015 9:48 PM in response to jimchik2

    I just got the same problem! While most of my problem are the same as @geeree described, I found that the wifi connection always get back when I disconnect it and reconnect it. I have tried genius bar and they did as you said "reset and/or reinstall everything" and they said my hardware was ok. So I just get confused about how I can get this right.