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Q: MacMini won't auto connect to preferred WiFi Network when Router restarts

My MacMini is set to join my preferred wifi network. Where I stay, there is usually a power cut of around a minute or two during day.

My setup is such that my MacMini runs 24x7 with a backup UPS but my router (AirPort Express) turns off during that power cut. When the router turns off, my Mac gets disconnected from the network which is expected but now when my router turns back on, the MacMini won't reconnect to the preferred network.

 

It shows the preferred network in the list and when I manually click on it, it instantly reconnects without asking password. But this doesn't happen automatically.

 

If I restart my MacMini it reconnects fine. The issue is only happening when my MacMini is on but my router restarts.

 

To reproduce this issue at your end, simply turn off your router and once your Mac disconnects from the network turn the router back on. See if your mac reconnects to your wifi fine.

 

Any solution or advice for this issue?

 

Thanks.

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), AirPort Express (2nd Generation)

Posted on Mar 15, 2016 8:48 PM

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Q: MacMini won't auto connect to preferred WiFi Network when Router restarts

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  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Mar 16, 2016 6:00 AM in response to satpalsharma
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Mar 16, 2016 6:00 AM in response to satpalsharma

    Please test after taking each of the following steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved. Back up all data before making any changes.

    1. If possible, test on at least one other network, such as a public hotspot or the hotspot created by a mobile phone. Some Wi-Fi routers are not fully compatible with some Apple devices. Specifically, the Security mode for the network, as shown in the Network preference pane, should be WPA 2 Personal or WPA 2 Enterprise. If the router doesn't support either of those modes, it should be replaced with one that does.

    2. Make sure the network is on the preferred list by following these instructions. It's important to read the article carefully, as it's the starting point for any further efforts to solve the problem. If you skip any of the steps, the problem may not be solved. Make sure the box marked

              Remember networks this computer has joined

    is checked.

    3. Follow the applicable instructions in this support article.

    4. Reset the PRAM.

    5. 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.

    6. From the Location menu at the top of the Network preference pane, select Edit Locations. A sheet will drop down. Click the plus-sign button to create a new location. Give it any name you want. In the new location, set up the Wi-Fi service with the same settings you used before. Click Apply and test.

    7. Launch the Keychain Access application. Search for and delete all AirPort network password items that refer to the network. Make a note of the password first.

    8. Turn off Bluetooth and test.

    9. Reset the System Management Controller.

    10. This step shouldn't be necessary, but has been advised by Apple Support in some cases, apparently as a workaround for a bug. Open the Energy Saver pane in System Preferences. If applicable, click the padlock icon in the lower left corner to unlock the settings. Enter your administrator login password when prompted.

    Select the Power Adapter tab and uncheck the boxes marked

              Wake for Wi-Fi network access

    and

              Enable Power Nap...

    if present. Then, if the computer is a MacBook, select the Battery tab and uncheck

              Enable Power Nap...

    11. Reinstall OS X.

  • by satpalsharma,

    satpalsharma satpalsharma Mar 17, 2016 8:14 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mar 17, 2016 8:14 PM in response to Linc Davis

    I tried the steps which I can but with no luck.

     

    On closely observing I realised its something to do with Mac's WiFi initiating a connect sequence. Let me explain what I mean by that.

     

    Wifi initiating a connection

    Turn your Wifi off and then turn it back on, you'll notice that the lines in the Wifi symbol blink from bottom to top one at a time, it's like Wifi is trying to initiate a connection and then it connects with all black lines.

     

    Now this initiation happens when you reboot your Mac, when it comes back online after sleep, when you turn the Wifi off and turn it back on.

     

    Problem Area

    In my case, if I switch off the router, I can see that the Wifi symbol in my mac try to initiate the connection but eventually stops that process and all I can see is a grey icon. Now at this point of time when I turn my router back on, the Wifi doesn't initiate a connection at all. Wifi can sit all day with that grey icon without initiating the connection. I can click on the Wifi Icon and see my network, it also says 'Looking for Wifi' but it doesn't initiate the connection. Either I've to manually select the network or if I turn the Wifi off and on , it then try to initiate the connection and select my network fine.

     

    Now to questions is - How to fix this process where Mac's Wifi should try to initiate the connection at regular intervals?

  • by satpalsharma,Solvedanswer

    satpalsharma satpalsharma Mar 18, 2016 10:02 AM in response to satpalsharma
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mar 18, 2016 10:02 AM in response to satpalsharma

    So I think my assumption was correct. It was the Wifi initiation issue which was causing it not to connect.

     

    Finally able to resolve the issue by using the solution created by tjluoma:

    https://github.com/tjluoma/airport-autojoin/

    Only change I did is to set the script to fire at regular intervals.

     

    This is something ideally Apple should support by default. But for now I'm good with this solution.