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