Airport wireless signal dropping

I just bought an airport extreme (n) last week with my brand new iMac, so far i've been loving both...except for when my airport base station decided it was going to stop broadcasting a wireless signal. It's been on and off all day and the first thing I did was disconnect it and my modem, wait 3 minutes, replug the modem in and wait for all the lights to come back on; then turn on the router with success. However it just did it to me again (mooching off neighbor's unsecured wireless right now) and I can't get it to go back up for whatever reason. The wired clients are working fine, the wireless signal is not even being recognized by either of my macs, both using airport configuration software 5.2.1 and I can't even get into the configuration of the damned thing due to there being no wireless signal. Any ideas/suggestions on how I can fix this problem?

Hello nighshrill. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference in the immediate area that is preventing you from getting a good clean signal.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like the following to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible:
o MacStumbler, or
o iStumbler

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Wireless Signal Drops Every Few Minutes; Impossible to Load/Use Chat Client

Hi,
I have an iBook G4 laptop with an Airport Card installed under the keyboard (I guess it's Express? Not sure). At home, my roomates have a Windoze PC desktop using Verizon DSL connected with a Westell Modem and a Linksys Router for wireless access. This connection seems stable and is always on, as their AIM client is always running and shows no connection disruption. She also has an IBM laptop, which connects wirelessly through a Linksys card, and while I'm not sure whether she has any connection disruption or not, I don't think so or else I probably would have been asked to take a look at it by now Although, it isn't "always on" like the desktop, so I'm not sure.
I am accessing her DSL connection wirelessly, as I've mentioned, through my iBook. When I am browsing the Web however, I sometimes try to link to a page just when the connection is resetting, so I receive the "page cannot be displayed because you are not connected to the internet" warning. If I immediately refresh the page, it usually loads right away. Sometimes I have to reload 2-3 times, but it always works without having to tweak any configurations in Network at all.
This is a little aggravating, but liveable. Except for the fact that I am unable to run a chat client at all, since the signal drops intermittently and the client has to constantly resign on, and holding a chat conversation with constant disconnects would be impossible.
If I had to guess, I'd say the connection resets itself at least every 15 mins or so, maybe more.
I'm wondering if anyone else has any problem of this sort? Do I need to tweak some sort of settings? Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you!

I am having a similar problem. I am using a Powerbook G4, with three airport expresses (one per floor on the house). Often, I get a messages saying that I am not connected to the internet and sometimes if I wait it will reconnect and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, I check the settings on the Airport Express (AE). It seems that the password to get me on the network had duplicated itself so it's now 26 characters long instead of 13. I have two other computers on the network, a PC on Windows XP and a new iMac (when I say new, I mean two weeks old, already out of date PowerPC). ANYWAY, they work fine. I am thinking that they other computers are using signal from the two remaining AEs that are working closest to the base/internet connection.
I put a call into Apple three times and we basically just keep throwing out my system configuration files in my user, and then starting from scratch. So far that has not helped the problem.
I think the most important thing to note is that I have upgraded all three of my AEs to v6.3 and this is when the trouble started.
Has anyone any solutions?
Also, what happened to the spell check feature that used to be here for posting messages?

Very Slow BB and Wireless Signal Dropping

Hi, I have a HomeHub 2 which has worked reasonably well over the years. Recently my BB speed seems pretty slow and the wireless signal keeps dropping every 5 seconds or so.
We have several laptops in the house (not all online at once) and this problem affects them all. I have installed inSSIDer and it shows 6 other hubs in the vicinity. I have tried changing the Wireless channel, changing from b/g/n to just b/g, reducing the roaming aggresiveness settings but nothing seems to be working. My hub settings are below
Line state
Connected
Connection time
5 days, 00:27:21
Downstream
3,776 Kbps
Upstream
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ADSL Settings
VPI/VCI
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Type
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0 / 0
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inSSIDer shows my SSID as -46 (goes as low as -20 when im next to the hub).
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Thanks in advance.

Hi the link was produced byanother of thecommunuty members Keith the link has now beennoved to another server as the BT web space in no longer available I will ask him to repost his link to you
You do seem to have a lot of wireless in your area which is making it very difficult to have a completely free channel all you can do is find a channel that has the weakest signals on It and try that hopefully Keith will post the link and maybe some further ideas
If you want to say thanks for a helpful answer,please click on the Ratings star on the left-hand side If the reply answers your question then please mark as ’Mark as Accepted Solution’

Time Capsule wireless signal drops inexplicably

My MacBook Pro is less than a year old. I am online wirelessly via my room mate's brand new Time Capsule router, which is only 15 feet away. The Time Capsule has been here maybe 2 weeks. I always get 4 bars, except tonight the signal drops repeatedly to 1 bar. I can't see any reason why this would happen. I suspect a problem with 10.5.2.

A lot of things can interfere with your signal. A cordless phone operating at 2.4 GHz, a microwave oven, or another nearby access point will affect your signal strength.

Airport Express, signal drop and reset required everytime

While I am aware that people have reported problems with signal cutting in and out on the aiport express, my circumstance is marginally different.
I have had this thing for about two years now, and it has always been a bit flaky. Some days it would work flawlessly for hours, while lately it works for about 1 hr and loses its signal completely. It will stop dead, and itunes will no longer be able to locate it. The only temporary solution I have come to is a soft or hard reset, which will provide functionality for another hour or two before it dies again.
The strangest thing is that airport admin utility manages to locate the AEx when itunes doesn't. I would normally just assume a weak signal, however, this problem of itunes not being able to reconnect to the AEx after a "crash" has me concerned that this thing might be cooked. It has recently been much worse than ever before... I have the latest firmware for the unit as well as Itunes 7. I have tried a few different wireless channels without success; the same problem occurs over and over again.
Has anyone had this problem? Would a different router make a difference? I currently have an old MN-700 w/ 802.11 g. Running a PC.
Note: The light remains green on the AEx even when the signal has been lost by itunes. The airport is set to connect to an existing wireless network. I have tried interface robustness on and off with no success.
Thanks for any valuable input.

I had one AE base unit, where network connection would disapear every other day. The light would still be green on the AE, but the signal from the AE could not be picked up nor seen by the computer. Only turning the AE off and back on, would make it appear and work again. I Changed the AE unit, and I dont have the problem any more. I didnt change any settings at all.
So in my case, it was the AE base unit that was malfunctioning.
I have also seen similar problems with a different cause: That the wifi network card in the computer wasnt connected properly. ..
I dont think its a software problem
good luck

Airport extreme signal drops when/after using Skype

I used Skype-to-Skype twice yesterday and both times the wifi signal from the Airport (802.11 n /square base station) started to attentuate and then completely disappeared. In both cases, I had to turn off and re-power the Airport base station to get my wifi working again and to maintain full strength. Regular internet usage has not caused this problem. We do not use Skype often and, of course, I could be mistaking coincidence for causality but this problem has not happened before. I get my high-speed internet from my cable company; perhaps they are doing something to discourage Skype/VOIP???

I am having the same problems, I was using a standard TP-link router and upgraded to AEBS, now it takes up to 7 tries to get a stable (?) connection with the AEBS. If anyone has any ideas it would be great.

'Airport' Wireless Signal Icon Disappeared

I am completely new to macs, but an experienced user at Windows, so not a complete newbie, but I am stuck.
The silver bar at the top of the screen usually displays (to the right):
Wireless Network Signal
Battery %
Volume
Date
Bluetooth
Search
The problem is, the Wireless network icon is missing, so what should I do to make it come back?
Thanks,
George.

No worries George... as always, a pleasure. Us Brits from Britland have to stick together and show our cousins on the other side of the Big Pond that we can hold our own
As an aside, you can move the position of the menus on the right of the menubar by holding Command(Apple) and clicking on them. This will allow you to move them along the menubar. If you move the menu to the desktop it will disappear in a "poof" which, I suspect, is what you inadvertently did before to make the Airpot menu dissappear from the menubar.
Kryten

Recent FIOS Wireless Signal Drop

Over the past month and a half I have noticed that the signal strength of my router does not get the same speeds it once did. My router is in the basement and on the second floor I do not get the same speed I used to get. I have tried changing the channel to 6 or 11 without any luck. I have no new wifi items in my house that would justify such a loss. Any suggestions?

TheGuyCornerNYC wrote:
Over the past month and a half I have noticed that the signal strength of my router does not get the same speeds it once did. My router is in the basement and on the second floor I do not get the same speed I used to get. I have tried changing the channel to 6 or 11 without any luck. I have no new wifi items in my house that would justify such a loss. Any suggestions?
Let me chime in that if you already have coax running to your second floor (for TV), you might consider getting one of these network extenders:
If coax is already available, installation is pretty simple and that device should give you solid WiFi coverage on your second floor.

I have a Airport Extreme that is dropping the wireless signal alot (several times a day). The green light will go amber but the internet service (ethernet cable) will still be fine. The wireless icon on devices with go away.

I have a Airport Extreme that is dropping the wireless signal alot (several times a day) The green light will go amber, but the internet service is still ok if your using an ethernet cable directly plugged in. When the light goes amber all devices that is using wireless will lose there wireless icon. The only way to get the green light back is to unplug the Airport device and replug it back in. I tried the reset on the back but still no luck. What is the fix?

Let's see if I can get this straight.
You have an Airport Extreme base station that is set to "Create a wireless network" and you have the box checked for "allow this network to be extended"....
Then you have an Airport Express that is set to "Extend a wireless network" which you selected the name of your network in the box...
Correct?
See this Apple document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
The wireless unit on the right of the diagram can be either of the newer Apple base stations.
Extreme, Express, Time Capsule

My 4-year old AirPort Extreme intermittently drops out (no signal to my iMac Book). The laptop shows reception of other nearby Wi-Fi transmitters, but not mine. I have changed the bands, but the problem comes back. Transmitter problem or interference?

My 4-year old AirPort Extreme intermittently drops out (no signal to my iMac Book). My hard-wired iMac still has internet capability. The laptop shows reception of other nearby Wi-Fi transmitters, but not mine. I have changed the bands back and forth, but the problem comes back. How can I check if it is a transmitter problem or interference?

Let me see if I can suggest a strategy.
I have talked with my ISP and he said that I am not the only one with an Airport Extreme with the same issue. He said to try to write the DNS direclty, rather than using the Auto settings - still nothing works.
What modem do you have and what sort of broadband?
What mode is the AE in.. router or bridge?
I have an Airport Express from 2010. Since about a month and definetly since yesterday, I cannot connect any device via Wifi to it although LAN connection works correctly.
Is this express or extreme.. the rest of the post you refer to extreme.
What is the actual model number of the AE? A1xxx from the base or the part number MCxxx from the box.
If the AE is bridge.. I want you to try a different method.. put it in router mode.. don't worry about double NAT but ensure the IP range of the modem /router is different to the AE.. so if one is 192.168.x.x then the AE on default at 10.x.x.x is fine.. if the main router is 10.x then move the AE to 192.168.x.x
Make sure the guest wireless is off.
Using a 5.6 utility on your 10.6.8 OS mini go to the log and see if the wireless is registering..
You should see lists of wireless connection like..
Post as many screenshots of the setup as you can.. it helps loads.
IPv6 is starting to become a pain.. try it off and try local link and try auto.. in the computer.

AirPort Express Base Station signal drops on and off

My Airport Express Base Station signal drops on and off about every 2 minutes. It’s quite frustrating. I currently have a Windows XP PC, with a Linksys Wireless Router. I’ve taken several steps as prescribed in the support chats to no avail. I’ve switched channels, updated software/firmware (iTunes, Base Station and my Router), reconfigured my security settings to no security back to my regular security settings, I’ve placed the base station right next to my router in case it was due to interference, I’ve used headphones in the event it was my stereo, I’ve changed different utility settings (interference robustness, stream size, etc). I’ve opted to use the option “Create a Wireless Network” versus “Existing Wireless Network” and back to “Existing Wireless Network”. Again, all to no avail. Can someone offer some insight to help solve this problem? The problem is so annoying that I no longer use the base station.
Thanks in advance,
Rene
AirPort Express Base Station Windows XP

Maybe Windows is trying to get an 802.1x authentication which should be disabled:
Ensure that the Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network check box is not checked.
http://www.efelix.co.uk/tech/1010.html
It seems updating Windows XP to Service Pack 2 fixes that.

Airport signal drops randomly

I use Airport Express to connect to wireless Internet. Recently I've had this problem where the signal just randomly drops every few hours - if not every hour. Airport Express is showing a green light.
When I re-start my computer then it still won't show the signal bar at the top. So I basically have to turn-off the computer and unplug the Airport Express to get it work.
I don't have this problem when I use wireless at other places.
Any advice on this problem?

I think my problem is fixed. You see I was using my airport express as a booster to my linksys, which worked for over a year until recent OS X update.
The Fix:
Instead of just setting up my express to join an "existing wireless network" , which was my original set up....I opted to use the option "Creat a wireless network" and I gave it another name, and under WDS tap I enabled it as a remote base station and under the "main airport ID" I selected my linksys router. Using the airport express this way, now I have two network names, the name of my main linksys router, and the name of my air express. Of course you get a better signal from one versus the other one depending how close you are. You also need to manually switch to the one with stronger signal, but at least both of them work through out the house, and my airport express has not dropped of for 3 days now. It works. Not sure why, but I am glad it works. If you are using your airport express a signal booster or as a remote base, and you are having your signal drops off, try to set it up this way, and see if it works for you.
I hope apple can shed some light to this issue, and I hope this works out for you
Mark

My airport express frequently drops the internet connection. Once I unplug it and re-plug it in, everything is fine until it drops the signal again. This happens on a regular basis. Is there anything I can do ensure it maintains the internet connection?

My airport express frequently drops the internet connection. Once I unplug it, and re-plug it in, my Macbook Pro17,IMac 24, iPad air and my wife's Acer 15 works fine until it drops the signal again. This happens on a regular basis. Is there anything I can do ensure it maintains the internet connection?

It is tricky..
But yes it can be done as long as you use a different IP subnet to what is being used for the internet..
So I need to know what modem router you have?? Does it have wireless as that would make it very easy?
What IP is the computer getting?
Then I can give you the details to setup wireless statically on a different subnet.

Airport Signal Dropping

When I boot up I have full strength, then when I go to a web page the page loads and then the signal will drop. I reset airport and get full strength. I go to another page and the signal drops again and I reset and get full strength. I do this several times and the signal finally stays at full strength.
Is changing channels something that might fix this?
Thanks

You should probably check out the other threads here on wireless performance issues with the Macbook. This has been a big problem for many people.

New White Macbook Dropping Wireless Signal

Hi Everyone,
I've read that a lot of people with 2006 Macbooks have been having trouble with their wireless signal through Airport dropping out. I'm having the same problem, but I have the newest white macbook that's been sent in two separate times to Apple for repairs.
The first time was my computer was over heating and the plastic actually changed colors. The second was after having my computer back for only 3 days, my computer wouldn't even turn on. Turns out my mother board was faulty as well.
Now, after having my Macbook back for only a month, my wifi signal is constantly dropping out. Even after upgrading to Snow Leopard, I'm still not having any luck.
This is my first Apple computer, if anyone could be of any help, it'd be much appreciated. I'd hate to have to call and chew out Apple once again...

ok i got my Netgear wireless router out and have configured it as follows. If you notice anything that could be twinked or that you "Prefer" to have a certain way please Nag me about it. i really do appreciate your input!
Router Status
Account Name WPN824
Hardware Version V2H1
Firmware Version V2.0.18_1.2.17NA
Internet Port
MAC Address 00:1B:2F:09:54:ED
IP Address 76.123.146.35
DHCP DHCPClient
IP Subnet Mask 255.255.248.0
Domain Name Server
68.87.68.162
68.87.74.162
LAN Port
MAC Address 00:1B:2F:09:54:EC
IP Address 192.168.1.1
DHCP ON
IP Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Wireless Port
Name (SSID) NETGEAR
Region United States
Channel 2
Mode g only
Wireless AP ON
Broadcast Name ON

Airport wireless signal dropping

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