FED UP with dropped Airport connections!

Okay, a little history here. I've been a Mac user for 20+ years. I know my way around these machines. I have a Mac Pro and a Mac Book, and when they were running Tiger I had zero problems with Airport connections in either case.
However, since I upgraded to Leopard about a year ago, I've had nothing but problems with Airport. The connection drops out every few minutes on both of my machines. Sometimes it re-establishes itself, but other times I have to do it manually. About 50% of the time, it doesn't connect at all. It asks me for my password (which is saved automatically) and when I hit 'return' it says the password is incorrect (it's not).
I've tried three different base stations (AX, AEBS & now D-Link DIR-655) and the problem remains, and I have it on both my Mac Book and brand new Mac Pro. So it would seem that it's a flaw with Airport & Leopard.
It got so bad that I finally set up an Ethernet network in my office. That was fine but we had to reconfigure the rooms and I needed to set up the wireless network again. I did that, and of course I had the exact same problem I was having before. The connection on both the MacBook and Mac Pro drops in and out intermittently. It's not a reception issue because it happens when both computers and the router are all in the same room.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on what to do, I'd love to hear them. OS X and Airport software is all up to date. I recently did a clean install of OS X on the MacBook just to make sure there wasn't a software conflict causing the problem, but that didn't help.
This is driving me crazy!

Mac OS X doesn't have a clean install option:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607614
So unless you did an erase and install, you can't say you have eliminated any potential hardware issue with your machine.
Linda P, Astriker, and anyone who does not have a solution for Badlydrawnboy, please start a new topic thread below:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1222&start=0
You'll make it harder to get a solution for them as the causes of wireless failure are many. My FAQ* here below discusses the most common reasons, which have existed since the first version of airport many years ago:
http://www.macmaps.com/WIFI1048.html
The fact that multiple base stations were tried, and multiple machines were tried, says the issue is external to both! It means to me, that you have something interfering with your wireless connection that you haven't considered. Piping in the walls, file cabinets in line of sight, external wireless networks on the same channel, microwave ovens, wireless land line phones can all contribute to WiFi's demise.
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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Fed up with speed and connection issues since exch...

Last Monday BT done some upgrade work at our local exchange. From that point onwards we have had speed and connection issues.
I use a Belkin G Router rather that the Homehub some that we can run a printer through it and that is plugged in to telephone socket via an extension. But before we blame any of that we have gone back to the Homehub2 so we could see the difference and there is very little.
We live in the countrside so broadband speeds are not great in any case. About 1.8 mg I guess but we have always had no problems. It was good enough for us and we could watch Iplayer.
I was getting fed up with drop outs and speed and yestereday an Openreach guy came out tested everything could not find any problems apart from speed. He made some calls and was told our band width had been capped. He had that removed and yesterday evening speed was a bit better.
Today just as bad again.
Details from router:
Date/Time          January 25 2012 , 21 : 14 : 25
Version Info
Runtime Code version F5D7633-4Av1_UK_1.00.009
Boot Code Version          1.0.37-5.15
Hardware Version           V1.0J3
ADSL Modem Code Version        A2pB015c6
ADSL
Type
Status   No Defect
                Downstream      Upstream
Data rate             287         440
Noise margin     32.3        18.6
Output power   14.8        12.7
Attenuation       58.5      28.9
Figures from speedtester BT
Download speed: 180 Kps
acceptable range speeds is 100 - 250 Kps
DSL Connection rate 286 Kps (DOWN_STREAM) 440Kps (UP_STREAM)
Upstream Test
Upload Speed 346 kps
Upstream Profile 440Kps
Any help would be appreciated
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi Welcome to the forums
Your high noise margin will have a major impact on your speed
If you post the full stats from your router
For homehub – type 192.168.1.254 into your browser
Navigate to ADSL Settings or use the A-Z at the top right of the home page and scroll down to ADSL Settings and click on it
Click on More Details and then post the full results.
also post the full results from http://speedtester.bt.com/
Have you tried connecting to the test socket at the rear of the master socket
Have you tried the quiet line test? - dial 17070 option 2 - should hear nothing - best done with a corded phone. if cordless phone you may hear a 'dull hum' which is normal
also you could try the hints given by poster RogerB in this link they may help http://community.bt.com/t5/BB-in-Home/Poor-Broadband-speed/m-p/14217#M8397
Then someone here may be able to help and offer more advice.
This is a customer to customer self help forum the only BT presence here are the forum moderators
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’

Problem with Dropped Internet Connections on AE/Macbook

I have a dual band Airport Extreme connected to Comcast Cable. I use a first generation Macbook to access the airport. The problem is that I keep on getting dropped Internet connections. The signal strength is shown at the top rhs of the screen as being full strength (4 bars).
If I swap out the router for a Linksys WRT54G, running DD-WRT, the combination works perfectly without any dropped Internet connections. Also, If I connect the Linksys to the AE with the Linksys acting as a wireless client repeating the signal, then I can connect the Macbook to the Linksys again without any dropped internet connections.
There is something about the Macbook connecting directly to the AE. It happens intemittantly but probably multiple times a day and is very inconvenient. The only way to get it back is to reboot the router or stop/start the aiport on the Macbook.
I have tried just about every possible setup on the AE including splitting the 2.4 and 5Ghz radios into two separate ssid's and changing the channels. I am using the latest AE firmware. I have also taken the AE back to the Apple store and they have swapped it for a new one.
I dont get the same issues with my windows clients or my ipad (although i have experienced issues while steaming video - but I think that may be a different issue).
Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Use the advice in this thread to investigate the signal and noise levels that the Mac sees:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2347845&start=1
What you may see if an increase in noise when the connection drops.
If that doesn't show anything useful, it might help to reset the connection settings on your Mac using these steps one at a time until the problem is resolved, recognizing that, depending on your problem, not all of these steps will make sense:
1) Use the AirPort menu bar item to turn AirPort off, then on again.
2) Try to select your Wi-Fi network from the AirPort menu.
3) In the Network panel of System Preferences delete the AirPort item from the left column, then add it back.
4) In the same panel as (3), define a new location and see if you can make that work.
5) In the same panel, select the AirPort connection item, click the "Advanced" button, select the "TCP/IP" tab, then click "Renew DHCP Lease". Note that the fix this step implements may be temporary.
6) In the folder /Library/Preferences ( _not_ <yourhomefolder>/Library/Preferences), move the folder SystemConfiguration onto the Desktop, then restart your computer. See if you can now make your AirPort connection work.
These steps may not help, but they'll only take a couple of minutes to try. Before you try these, if you have any special network settings on your Mac for things like DSL credentials, note all your network settings, because the latter steps will destroy them. If you got all the way to the last step, if things don't work any worse than before, you can trash the saved SystemConfiguration folder.

Dropping airport connection

When I use iChat with Bonjour IM my AirPort connection drops for some unknown reason. It seems to only happen on my PowerBook and not my girlfriends iMac. We are on the same network too. As well as this problem, we have the problem of not being able to see each others screen names in iChat even though the privacy measures are on "allow all" to see and contact me. Any help?

I am having a similar problem, using an AirPort Extreme (gigabit) with about 15-20 users. Every now and again, the AirPort connection will disappear, reconnecting almost immediately, (almost like the AirPort is restarting itself, though it shows no sign of such in the logs), and when network connections are restoring, Bonjour communication won't really be working. Where there were all the people on our network, only a few will show up, if any of them show up. This does not seem to be a service issue on the workstations themselves, since I can plug into ethernet and have all the other people running iChat show up in the Bonjour list, so it seems to be related to the AirPort Extreme specifically.
If anyone has any insight on how to verify that the AirPort Extreme is routing local mDNS traffic, or things to look for in the AirPort log that might indicate why it's restarting, it would be VERY much appreciated.
Gary

TC keeps dropping Airport connection

I am using TC with a USB drive and a printer connected through a USB drive. Everything works. Frequently, my Airport connection drops, when I try to reconnect, I get a timeout error on the password. The only way to correct the situation is to un-plug the TC.
I think that this all started after the last software update earlier this week.
Ken

Have you tried changing the channel?
Have you updated your AirPort software with Software Update?
One or both of the above seems to fix this problem.

2012 MacBook Pro Intel i7 (purchased May 2013) constantly drops airport connection. My 2006 MacBook Pro has no problems connecting and staying connected.

I received a 2012 MacBook Pro INtel i7 for my birthday this May 2013. It constantly drops my airport connection. My ancient 2006 MacBook Pro has no problem connecting to airport, nor staying connected. I've had to write this message several times as I keep losing the airport connection and have to reconnect. BTW: I am less than five feet from the airport base.
Thanks for help.

After trying all of the above the suggestions, the problem returned as before. However, after digging some more I discovered that the issue appears to lie with the 10.4.10 version of the Mac OS; when I checked the software log under the system profiler I noticed that I had installed that update at about the time my Airport problems began. Apple then quietly released a v 1.1 combo update to 10.4.10 on July 2nd, which once installed appears to have resolved the problem. You can find the download at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10410comboupdatev11intel.html
What's curious is that originally Apple listed that the v 1.1 combo update resolved some issues with RAW image data, and some sound problems, which don't seem to have anything to do with Airport.

Fed up with dropped calls

I pay almost $300 a month for cell phone service and have been a Verizon customer for years but am very fed up with the amount of dropped calls I am getting in my house. It makes me mad that I pay a lot of money for a service that doesn't work. I have complained to Verizon about this and basically my option is to spend a couple hundred dollars on an "extender". I feel if they can't provide decent signal for me then they should provide the extender for free if they want to keep me as a customer. I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem.

Do the dropped calls occur inside the house or outside? Cellular service isn't guaranteed inside of buildings due to construction and surrounding terrain can weaken the signal strength.

Intel iMac keeps randomly dropping Airport connection

My Intel Duo core iMac keeps randomly dropping its Airport connection. It never used to do this until a few months ago. The Airport menu bars randomly show half grey, or all grey, and either I have to turn Airport on/off from the menu to get all the bars back to black, or sometimes they just come back on.
Logically, I guess it can only be three things, a problem in the (a) Intel iMac (eg. airport card), (b) my Airport Express Base station, or (c) my ADSL 2+ NetComm modem router. Now, fortunately I have a first generation white G5 iMac set up side by side to help diagnose the problem. When the Intel iMac airports bars go half grey or all grey, the Airport bars on the white G5 iMac stay black or at worst show one grey bar.
At face value, I guess this points to the Intel iMac itself being the problem? Or could it be that the Airport Express Base station is the problem, and the Intel iMac is more sensitive to the problem than the white G5 iMac? I'm sort of leaning to the Airport Base station as the problem because when the Intel iMac drops out, the white G5 coincidentally drops out albeit by only one grey bar generally.
Its quite annoying because its so unpredictable and intermittent. My Intel iMac has full Applecare, but I would feel stupid to haul it into Apple only for them to say I wasted their time and the problem must be the Airport Base station/modem router.
All comments welcome!
Fox
null

Well, for what its worth, I'll give you the update to my problem. The Apple technician said during all their testing, my Intel iMac never dropped the Airport connection once - and the problem might be some interference between the iMac and the Airport Express unit. That didn't quite make sense because my white G5 iMac seems fine; the occasional variable signal but not a full drop out. Anyway, the technician said he applied a 'few software updates' - although I don't know what these updates were, especially since I always apply Apple public updates as they are released.
Now, when I got my Intel iMac back about a week ago, I am very happy to say the dropout/weak signal problem appears to be no more (touch wood). Thus, I don't know what was done, but it has seemingly fixed things so far.
Would anyone know what updates Apple might have applied - and I assume its something that is not readily available to the public, since I always keep an eye on public software updates.
Fox

A Fix for dropping Airport Connection with a DLink 614+ router

I found these suggestions buried deep in another post, and thought they warrented reposting here. I made these changes to my router setup, and have not had a dropped connection since. Good Luck to All!
"A few notes on what has helped my connection. I have a DI 614. Under the Advanced tab: Disable 4x mode. Set Preamble Type to Long. Set the basic and TX rates to 1-2-5.5-11. Lastly, per advice earlier in the thread, I set the Beacon interval to 50."
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I had the same kind of problems (VERY unstable wireless connections, pretty slow when connected and not lasting for more than 2/3 minutes) until I got my Macbook Pro back from the store today. The Airport card was changed and the wireles connection is now workin like a charm... Undoubtedly hardware related problem in my case. Try to have your Airport card exchanged as well. good luck.

Re: Having issues with your AirPort connection? Please be specific.

Comments on the above tip are hereby welcomed.

Time Capsule & AT&T 2Wire Gateway Model: 3800HGV-B
Instructions on connecting your Time Capsule to an AT&T 2Wire Modem Model: 3800HGV-B. I do know if these instructions will work for other models. Some 2Wire models require it to be set in “Bridge-Mode” or a “Router-Behind-Router”. The 3800HGV-B model does not have the ability to be put into “Bridge-Mode”. After hours of frustrating tech support calls, mine is finally working, so I thought I would share what worked for me. Why something like this isn’t already posted, I have no idea? Although I may not have all the terms correct, I think I can explain it in a way to help others the way I wish someone could have helped me. Something this simple, shouldn’t be so hard.
The Situation
Those with AT&T U-verse are unable to connect their Time Capsule to Network.
The Problem
Apple & AT&T’s Tech Support have failed to provide solutions.
The Solution
To configure the AT&T 2Wire with the Time Capsule the 2Wire must have its router disabled, in addition to disabling both the 2Wire and Time Capsule Firewalls. The goal is to get these two device to play well with each other. The challenge is that the 2Wire Modem is both a router and a modem. The Time Capsule is also a router, so they compete with each other, thus creating the headache many of us have experienced.
Step One: Create a wireless network.
Connect your DSL or cable modem to the Ethernet WAN port on your Time Capsule.
Open Airport Utility, select Time Capsule, and click Continue.
Follow the onscreen instructions to create your new network.
Once you have finished the above steps, make sure your screens look similar to mine. Once you have the Time Capsule set up according to the directions, you still won’t have internet connection. Be sure there is a “checkmark” next to your new newly created Network.
The Situation
This above process should have set the Time Capsule in a DHCP mode, thus making it ready to receive the signal/ IP address sent by the 2Wire.
Step Two: Allow DMZplus mode
    Open your web browser and enter the address http://192.168.1.254/ This will take you to the 2Wire settings. Select Settings, click Applications, Pinholes, and DMZ. At the bottom of the page, select Allow all applications (DMZplus mode). Click Save.
Note: Once DMZplus mode is selected and you click save, the system will issue a new IP address to the selected computer. The computer must be set to DHCP mode to receive the new IP address from the system, and you must reboot the computer. If you are changing DMZplus mode from one computer to another computer, you must reboot both computers.
The 2Wire Wireless Setting must be disabled. You don’t want the 2Wire to broadcast its wireless signal. You must shut off the “Router” abilities of 2Wire. In the U-verse 2Wire Settings, select the Firewall tab, click Applications, Pinholes and DMZ. At the bottom of the page select the radio button which Allows all applications (DMZplus mode).
You will know when you are successful at shutting the wireless down by selecting the Airport Signal in the upper right of your screen. If you see a network called 2Wirexxx, then your 2Wire is still broadcasting its signal.
The Time Capsule is setup in the DHCP mode, but isn’t able to get the IP Address because there are 2 Firewalls to address. There is the firewall of the 2Wire and one for the Time Capsule.
Step Three: Disable the Firewall.
    One thing all the other tech’s missed, was unchecking the “Enable default host at”. Your screen should look like the below screen shot, because this disables the other Firewall that is giving you trouble. Be sure and Update after you make your changes.
    Once the changes are complete, turn the Airport off. Shut down your computer. Unplug the 2Wire and the Time Capsule and let them sit for 5 min. Next, plug the 2Wire up first and let it begin its reboot process. Then, plug in the Time Capsule and let it start to reboot. Finally, turn on your computer and open Airport Utility.
   Finally, after a complete reboot of the system, try to connect the internet. You should now be capable of opening your system and enjoying your online experience.
I hope this helps!

Dropping Airport connection after attaching a DVI via Apple adapter ?

Hi all
I am experiencing a strange behaviour with my new 13" MBP 2.54GHz.
Whenever I attach a DVI screen with the Apple Mini Display-Port --> DVI adaptor my Airport disconnects from the network within 2-5 min and does not reconnect.
When I connect to my old 23" Cinema Display with ADC via Mini Display-Port-->DVI(the Apple adaptor)-->ADC it works.
Any ideas ?
Cheers

I tried connecting it directly to the TV & got the same non-result. Of course, would like it to go through my receiver so I get the benefit of my surround sound system. Got any other ideas? Thanks

OS dropping Airport connection

I have a 1 year-old Macbook Pro running OSX 10.6.3 connected to a wireless network running on a dual-band Airport Extreme. Every once in a while, seemingly at random, I loose the connection to my wireless network. I notice web pages won't load or Time Machine gives an error that it can't connect to my backup.
It's an easy fix: I just select the network from my Airport menu. But why is this happening? I recently reformatted my HD and reinstalled the system and everything else is running great. Better than great, some programs that wouldn't run before are fine now.

Hi All,
I have a 3 year old Mac Book pro ( now on 10.6.3 but did it on 10.6.3 and on Leopard versions) and suffer the same problem only slightly worse......whenever the connection drops or more likely it doesn't come up when booted up.....I am unable to get onto my network as it times out. You turn the airport on, you turn the airport off, you turn the airport on and shake it all about.......reboot the laptop........hold your left leg just right and it may connect.
This is frustrating!
How do I change the frequency???
Thanks
Morris

New Macbook Pro (10.6.6) drops airport, "looking for connections"

Ok, I do shope somene can help as I am getting very frustrated here.
I just replaced my trusty ibook G4 with a new macbook pro. I have had problems with the airport connection on the macbook-- it keeps dropping the wireless network and saying "looking for connections" every second or two. I can't sync my 1st gen apple tv, and I think the problems may be related. In any case, I had the same problem on my imac G5 when I first got it-- it was completely unusable for a while, and finally a genius at the apple store gave me a fix that involved deleting some preference file, saying that the imac was constantly trying to find a stronger connection and switching between other networks I had used.
Unfortunately, 1) I don't remember the exact fix, and 2) I have not hooked up to nay other network, so I don;t know why it would be looking. I have required it to ask for permission to switch networks as well, but I guess that doesn't stop it from looking.
Can anyone help me figure out how to get it to stick with the assigned network & leave the others alone?
If anyone also has any idea why the apple tv can't connect that might be different, that would also be helpful-- it's telling me I might have port 3389 blocked by a firewall, but I don't, and it was connecting earlier (though it was slow). I can't get a sync on wireless or ethernet.
Thanks.

Clare in Chi wrote:
I have had problems with the airport connection on the macbook
It might help to reset the connection settings on your Mac using these steps one at a time until the problem is resolved, recognizing that, depending on your problem, not all of these steps will make sense:
1) Use the AirPort menu bar item to turn AirPort off, then on again.
2) Try to select your Wi-Fi network from the AirPort menu.
3) In the Network panel of System Preferences delete the AirPort item from the left column, then add it back.
4) In the same panel as (3), define a new location and see if you can make that work.
5) In the same panel, select the AirPort connection item, click the "Advanced" button, select the "TCP/IP" tab, then click "Renew DHCP Lease".
6) In the folder /Library/Preferences ( not <yourhomefolder>/Library/Preferences), move the folder SystemConfiguration onto the Desktop, then restart your computer. See if you can now make your AirPort connection work.
These steps may not help, but they'll only take a couple of minutes to try. Before you try these, if you have any special network settings on your Mac for things like DSL credentials, note all your network settings, because the latter steps will destroy them. If you got all the way to the last step, if things don't work any worse than before, you can trash the saved SystemConfiguration folder.
Can anyone help me figure out how to get it to stick with the assigned network & leave the others alone?
Open the Network panel of System Preferences, click the lock to authenticate if it's "closed", select the AirPort connection item, and click the "Advanced" button. Click on each of the nearby networks that aren't yours and click the minus sign.
If anyone also has any idea why the apple tv can't connect
I'm not sure what to suggest about that.

Airport Connection Dropping Off

Has anyone else had trouble with their Airport connection dropping off all of the sudden during a long download or transfering files across the network? If this is a common problem...I hope Apple is working on it.

I am getting the same thing. After starting a transfer of file, after awhile, it will state the wireless network has been change or comprimised (excuse my spelling) and the airport will be disable and enable in a minute. Then the finder stops responding, I cannot force quit out it and must restart the computer.
iMac, 2ghz Intel Core Duo, 2GB DDR2 667mhz, 250 GB HDD Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Extreme Base Station suddenly dropping internet connection

I have an Extreme Base Station (802.11n Fast Ethernet) which has been providing wireless internet and printing to two imacs pretty flawlessly for several years. It seems to be a fairly simple network. DSL modem (to WAN port) and USB printer cable plugged into back of Base Station.
Several days ago, the Base Station began dropping connection to the internet every few minutes. If I connect the modem directly into the computer, I have no problems with losing connection. So, I began looking for solutions online and have been trying everything I could find to do. I've scoured the forums here, and everywhere and read a bazillion posts.
I've done a hard reset of the Base Station, I've tried different channels, I've unplugged, waited ten minutes, and replugged in a myriad of sequences, including unplugging both the modem (Zhone/Paradyne 6381-A3) and Base Station overnight. The only thing I haven't done is roll back the firmware (currently 7.4.2 I believe). I'm still experiencing the same problems and am at my wits end. I've spent hours now trying to fix it and need to do other things like shop for groceries and vacuum! So, I'm posting, in hopes someone might be able to point me in a more productive direction.
Is it possible the Base Station hardware is failing? What are the signs and symptoms? I hate to spend another $179 and still have the same problems.
Thank you.
Most kindly,
---Susan

.
Dear Bluenova - ( +or other interested readers+ )
I know that this reply is two months since this topic was initially posted.
This is a longstanding Airport Extreme ( AEBS ) problem that's been noted since 2006-2007.
It has been an ongoing issue for me -AND- I continue to experience it even after recently upgrading my AEBS.
I finally called AppleCare in mid-Sept. and opened a formal problem case report.
As of today (Oct 15, 2010) I still have an open & unresolved case with AppleCare.
The problem has been escalated twice -and- is now referred to Engineering Dept for research & resolution.
I was curious what steps or actions you have taken -and/or- if you still experience the problem.
_Readers Please Note_
Many users have posted messages regarding problems with Airport Extreme *+DROPPING CONNECTIONS+* .
However, with careful reading, it becomes obvious that many forum posters are not sufficiently clear
-and- often confuse or do NOT make the distinction between ..... DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONNECTION PROBLEMS.
. ( wifi/network connection probs - vs - internet connection probs )
SEE HELPFUL POST BY WILLIAM KARCHINSKI
Topic : *+Having issues with your AirPort connection? Please be specific+*
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2227197
FWI
If you suspect that you are having the *dropped internet connection* type problem,
YOU CAN CHECK & WATCH IT HAPPENING IN THIS MANNER
Set Airport in Menubar to *"SHOW TIME CONNECTED"*
. *- +and also+ -*
Open Airport Utility --> AIRPORT --> SUMMARY window
.... and leave it visible somewhere on your screen while you web browse.
Now, once the internet connection drops or is lost ...
... in the Airport Utility Summary window - you will see the loss of the assigned IP Address
. *- and -*
.... in the Menubar - the time connected will reset to 00:00:00
If you have a new or ongoing problem that relates specifically to ....
.... Airport Extreme – dropping or losing *Internet Connections* ... ( +not wifi connection type probs+ )
.... please let me know.
I would like to be able to correspond directly with others via email to share info
(such as what modems, ISP's, time of day or conditions with which this problem has been found to occur)
I will then be glad to pass that info on to AppleCare in trying to find a cause (and solution) for this problem.
If this issue was treated collectively maybe AppleCare would address it with more resolve & urgency.
I'll check back with this thread for replies from other interested users.
.

FED UP with dropped Airport connections!

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