User profile for user: Ryan Fiorini
Ryan Fiorini Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

MacBook drops internet every 20-30 minutes

Hello, I have a MacBook Air (from 2013). About 9 months ago, I updated to OS 10 (Sierra) and am running 10.12.5 right now. I was using a new Airport extreme for my internet but about every 20-30 minutes the internet seemed to drop off and nothing will work on the internet side. All I have to do to get it back is quickly turn off the wifi on the computer and immediately turn it back on. Within 2-3 seconds, it is back. I thought it was the Airport Extreme so I purchased the EERO routers for the house. They are great but the same thing happens still. Note that this didn't happen until I updated to Sierra.


What is even more odd is that we have 2 other MacBook air's, 4 iPads and 4 iPhones and this loss of internet only seems to happen to my MacBook air. It doesn't matter what application I am doing or what is open. It happens when I am watching a video on youtube or in the middle of a FaceTime call. It happens on Skype, Safari, Firefox and Chrome. However, the wifi signal on the top of the computer never goes below full power. The router is about 15 feet away and remember that if I have any of the other devices next to this one, it remains connected while my MacBook won't. So it must be tied to the MacBook, not the router. One last thing is on timing. I say every 20-30 minute, but it really seems random. It averages about 20-30 minutes between it, but sometimes goes a few hours between a freeze. When this happens, the computer runs fine still and nothing has any problems running (i.e. apps don't freeze).


I am assuming that there must be some command file that is corrupted and sometimes goes bad, but that is about the extent of my knowledge base. I can follow directions, but if you are having me delete something or go into a specific area, please just assume I don't know what you are talking about. As I am writing this question in here, it happened again and I just went up, turned the wifi off and immediately back on and it is fine now. It is starting to effect my working, so any help is appreciated. My last option is to wipe the computer clean and do a clean install of OS, so I would like to try everything else first.


Thanks,


Ryan

MacBook Air (11-inch Mid 2013), macOS Sierra (10.12.5)

Posted on Jul 28, 2017 4:01 PM

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9 replies
User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
160,106 points

Aug 5, 2017 2:50 PM in response to Ryan Fiorini

I am assuming that there must be some command file that is corrupted...

You may be onto something here...


Try the following on your MacBook, in order, until (hopefully) resolved:

Create a New User Account

  • System Preferences > Accounts
  • Click "+" to add a new account.
    • Log off, and then, log back on with the new user account.
    • Try connecting to a Wi-Fi network with your Mac's AirPort. See if it stays connected.
    • If this resolves the problem, there may be something amiss with your current profile and will require further troubleshooting.
    • If this does not resolve the problem, go ahead and log back into your normal account and go on to the next step.
  1. Delete AirPort Keychain Entries
    • Launch the "Keychain Access" application located in Applications/Utilities.
    • In the windows on the left side: Select login for Keychains and "Passwords" for Category.

    Click on the "Kind" filter at the top, and look for any "AirPort network password" entries...and delete them.

    Close Keychain Access.

  2. Delete & Add Back Preferred Network(s)
    • System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab
    • Delete all entries under "Preferred Networks."

    Click on OK.

    System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab

    Add the preferred network(s) using the "+" button.

    Click on OK.

    Restart or log out, and then, back in.

  3. If it works, then you are done.
  4. If not, go on to the next step.
  5. Move System Configuration Files
    • Quit any applications that are currently using Wi-Fi.
    • Turn off Wi-Fi from the Wi-Fi icon on the macOS / OS X menu bar.
    • Open Finder > Go > Go To Folder > Enter "/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/" into the Go to the folder window > Click on Go
    • Locate and select the following files:
      Note: Files are macOS / OS X version specific, not all the following files are used in each version.
      • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
      • com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist
      • com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
      • NetworkInterfaces.plist
      • preferences.plist
    • Move any matching files to the macOS / OS X Desktop. You can place them all in a folder as a backup. The "missing" files will be rebuilt after restarting the Mac.
    • Reboot the Mac.
    • Re-enable Wi-Fi from the Wi-Fi icon on the macOS / OS X menu bar.
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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,279 points

Jul 28, 2017 4:22 PM in response to Ryan Fiorini

Possible Fix for Wi-Fi Connectivity



First, see this article for possible solutions: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity. If this doesn’t help then try the following:


  1. Shut down the modem, router, and computer.
  2. Wait at least one minute. Then in order:
  3. Turn on the modem and wait until the connection is established.
  4. Turn on the router and wait for it to connect to the modem.
  5. Last, turn on the computer and wait until it connects to the router.
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User profile for user: Ryan Fiorini
Ryan Fiorini Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Jul 31, 2017 9:46 AM in response to Kappy

Kappy, do you think they will be able to find it without the wifi router there with me? It only seems to happen on my home network. Based on the lack of answers, I guess I am about to be forced to do a clean reset or buy a new one. I will try the Genius Bar and see if they can find anything. Thanks for the help. If/when I figure it out, I will report back here for others to know the answer.

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User profile for user: Ryan Fiorini
Ryan Fiorini Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Aug 5, 2017 2:48 PM in response to mailbox user

Not 100% sure yet, but it seems that deleting the Config file or the network worked. I first tried the key chain entry and after 10 minutes, it happened again. Then I deleted the network and added it back and because that takes 2 seconds, i also went in and did the config file. One of those two seem to have done it but admittedly I was traveling the past week, so today I have been on the web for about 2 hours and haven't noticed any loss of internet yet. However, I sometimes dont notice it unless I am on a conference call or facetime as that makes it glaringly obvious when everything freezes. My plan is to continue using it for the next few days and will confirm mid week. If I were you, i would do all 3 of them as I dont know if a combination of all 3 are needed or if just #2 and #3 are the winners. The only one that took some time was the Config files because I was scared to delete them without checking 5 times on google to ensure it was ok to get rid of them. Note that I can confirm that everything that Tesserax suggested is totally legit and wont cause any harm to your computer. So it is totally worth doing all 3. Hope this helps you as well.


Tesserax, I will confirm in a day or so but either way, thank you so much.

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MacBook drops internet every 20-30 minutes

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