WiFi drops when downloading/gaming

I too had the same issue and these are my WiFi parameters.

This is what worked for me.

• Restarted router (only restart doesn't work)
• Disabled WiFi on other cell phones, pads, tablets, laptops, Smart TV, etc

I am still not sure what was the issue as only my MacBook Pro 2014 was facing issues, rest everything was working fine.

Hope this helps someone.

Cheers

If you were talking about an Ethernet connection, where the data is constrained to a well-behaved set of wires, it might be appropriate to speak of this as A problem.

But when you use an arbitrary Router to pump the signal out and back over the airwaves in a real-world neighborhood with other Routers, over an unknown distance and through unknown obstacles and interference, this is not usually ONE problem we are talking about any more, and one magical "fix" direct from Apple is not going to solve these complicated issues.

Howdy TFNY,

I understand that you're experiencing some stability issues with your Wi-Fi connection. Fortunately you can use Wireless Diagnostics to help identify and resolve the issue.

Use Wireless Diagnostics to help you resolve Wi-Fi issues on your Mac
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202663

All my best.

I have the same issue and just I used the wireless diagnostics and the summary basically said it's my likely my router's problem but I know it isn't. I've been at school and my friend's place and the same problem persists whenever I try to use heavy internet usage type of things such as playing games, streaming websites, and downloading big files.

I have also been to the Genius bar where they ran all the diagnostic tests and determined that things should be running just fine. They made me do a clean reinstall of the system. Didn't fix the problem so I went back and they sent it in for repair, replacing the airport card and its cables. Picked up my laptop and I'm still here with the same issue. I have no idea what to do.

Same exact macbook pro as TFNY by the way.

Have you found any fix yet? I have the same problem as you. I'm going to the apple store again for some help hopefully they can figure it out.

If you want to examine YOUR Wi-Fi issues, hold down the Option key and click on the Wi-Fi icon on the MenuBar. You get a report like this one:

what do you get for PHY Mode and Channel?

what do you get for RSSI or signal strength?

What do you get for Transmit Rate?

and very important, how many other Networks do you see?

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I have the same exact computer and problem as the original poster.

PHY Mode: 802.11n

Channel: 1 (2.4 GHz, 20 MHz)

RSSI: -77 dBm

Tx Rate: 145 Mbps

I see around 25 other networks.

Does anything seem to be out of the ordinary? Thanks

Pagu_

You are on the bottom channel of the very busy and interference-prone 2.4GHz band, on channel 1, the busiest of all. The popular modulation technique you are using, 802.11n provides about a 54Mbits/sec pathway, and your Router can attempt to send multiple streams to double or triple that number. Three streams is how your speed is shown as 145M bits/sec. But it is not working properly.

Your signal strength is about -85 (typical noise) less -77 RSSI or about -10, truly awful. You are too far away from your Router. You MUST find a way to get closer, because using any higher numbered channels are more lossy than channel 1, and you will need to use a higher-numbered channel to get away from your neighbors.

25 other networks means you have no hope of competing in the 2.4GHz band. As soon as you start a download, I would expect your data rate to drop fairly quickly, followed by a disconnect. You will also need a Dual band Router (with both 5GHz and 2.4GHz), and as I said before, you must get closer or move your Router closer, or get an additional Router, or connect using Ethernet.

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As a quick test, take your Mac within about 10 feet clear view of your Router. RSSI should improve to about -50 or better. If it does not improve substantially, you may have a disconnected antenna inside your Mac.

Same problem as well and these are my results

PHY MODE: 802.11n

Channel: 6 (2.4GHz, 20 MHz)

RSSI: -53 dBm

Tx Rate: 130 Mbps

There are about 15 other networks

What does this mean? Thank you for your time.

You are also using the very busy and interference-prone 2.4GHz band, on Channel 6 using 802.11n, which can transmit at 54 Mbits/sec and use one two or three streams for faster speeds. You are using three streams, but have backed off slightly from the fastest speed, probably due to interference from other Routers.

Your RSSI -85 (typical noise level) -53 yields an excellent -32 signal strength. You must be very near your Router.

But with 15 other networks nearby, it is very difficult to maintain that throughput, even with your strong signal, with that many other Routers using the exact same channels. You could benefit a lot from a Dual Band Router that could also use the many additional channels in the 5GHz band. Or adding a Dual Band Router to your current Router. Or connecting directly via Ethernet.

This is a screen shot from a Utility called WiFi Explorer, available for US$15, and has a three day free trail. (I am not affiliated with them). Duane posted a shot of the Networks around him. This can give you an idea of how difficult it can be to get through all the others:

(click to expand)

the left side shows the six or more Networks plus Duane's all vying for the three channels in the 2.4GHz band, while the many more and wider channels in the 5GHz band go nearly unused.

Duane found his situation so difficult, he tried manually moving his Router to an in-between channel, in hopes of getting better throughput. The downside of that is that he gets hit from both sides by other Routers.

In the end, I took my laptop to the apple store and they fixed it by replacing the logic board and the wireless card. I recommend you do the same, it is now working perfectly 🙂.

the users early 2015 may be out of warranty so your suggestion for "fix" may be well over a thousand dollars.

That's very true, I was lucky enough to have mine covered. Just wanted to put that option out there for anyone with the warranty still active, considering this is a relatively newer model.