IMac fails to connect automatically to WiFi network

This is a re-submission of this request for help because I got no response the first time around.
The trouble began after upgrading to Snow Leopard. Prior to the upgrade I was running 10.5.8 and the airport wireless card would reconnect perfectly every time the computer woke up. After the change to 10.6, it's hit and miss. Sometimes after waking up, the computer will find my wireless router and connect with no problem. On other occasions it will not. Here's what I've observed:
When it fails to connect, if I immediately click on the wireless icon on the menu bar it will show no wireless networks at all, not mine, not any of my three neighbors, none. If I wait a few seconds (less than a minute) they will suddenly be detected. At that point clicking on my network will result in an immediate connection. I do not know why it takes so long for the Airport card to detect the networks, but that's not the issue. It eventually does. The problem is that the iMac has stopped trying to connect by then.
How can I get the computer to keep trying to log on (at least periodically) until it succeeds?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
-John

Test after taking each of the following steps. Back up all data before making any changes.
1. 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.
2. Follow the instructions in this support article under the heading "Symptom: The network connection drops unexpectedly."
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Repair permissions on the startup volume.
7. Turn off Bluetooth and test.
8. Reset the System Management Controller.
9. Reset the PRAM.
10. Reinstall OS X.

Similar Messages

TS1398 ipad suddenly failing to connect to a wifi network

My ipad refuses to connect to our home network, and yet it was doing so perfectly for several days. The laptop still recognizes and connects to the wifi perfectly, I've tried all the tips and suggestions provided on the apple help site, including resetting networks on the ipad, etc etc. No luck. Any usggestions out there?

Have you tried power cycling the router?
Does the iPad connect to other Wi-Fi networks?
You could also try to update the router or make sure it is setup in a way that is most compatible with the ipad.

Failed to connect to a wifi network

Hello.
I installed on my solaris 10 X86 a wifi card (ASUS WL-310), plumbed it, and configured an ad-hoc wifi network on a windows Xp machine.
When I make a wificonfig -i ral0 scan on my solaris, the ad-hoc network is detected,
but I can't connect to it.... why?
Thank you.

yes.
the strange thing for me is I can connect to the profile I created, with the good essid defined in my Windows connection.
But what about the parameters? What are the good ones?
And the wepkey? I got a thing like this:
89e504f11c734ad552687ffe58
and i set in the params:
./wificonfig wepkey1=89e504f11c734ad552687ffe58
is this good?
and for encryption, i set it to wep, but when I list the parameters, it is set "none" for encryption, why?
Message was edited by:
widjayy

Mac NOT automatically connecting to preferred wifi network

Hi,
I am facing a problem with OS X 10.9.1 (Mavericks) wifi connection.
I use a Time Capsule as a base station and 13" Macbook Air (2012). The base station is connected to the internet through a PPOE connection.
Here are the details.
Since upgrading to OS X 10.9.1, my Mac automatically connects to preferred wifi network ONLY WHEN the wifi is available at start up or when the Mac wakes up from sleep, but NOT OTHERWISE.
Before the upgrade, the Mac automatically connected to the preferred wifi network not just at start up, but whenever the wifi became available.
In other words, after the upgrade, if I boot up the Time Capsule base station and the Mac simultaneously, the Mac scans for the base station wifi network (this is configured as the top preferred wifi network) at start up, but since the base staion is still booting up, the Mac doesn't find the wifi.
But once the base station has booted up and wifi is available, the Mac no longer bothers to join it. At this point, the Mac is also not able to do Time Machine backups to the Time Capsule because it is not able to locate the Time capsule disk over the wifi.
This situation remains (i.e., the Mac being not connected to the wifi) unless I do ONE of the following:
1. I manually select the preferred wifi network using the wifi icon at the top of the screen; OR
2. I put the Mac to sleep (by closing the cover) and then wake it up. On wake up, it connects automatically to the preferred wifi network; OR
3. I turn of the wifi (using the wifi icon on the top) and turn it back on, at which point, the Mac automatically connects to the preferred wifi network.
I have tried everything possible including contacting Apple support, but so far the issue is unresolved.
Appreciate any help you can provide.
Prem

I have had wireless problems intermittently for a year, and seriously for 6 weeks. Apple denied the issue and was no help in spite of many tens of thousands of people on their own discussions complaining. I found a post suggesting a couple of things which fixed the problem. I don't know if both are necessary, but the first by itself does not solve the problem.
Lock the channel of your router to channel 1, apparently Apple and 802.11n don't play well together on higher channels. When this becomes a standard this will be resolved I hope.
Open your network preferences, select 'airport' and advanced. Delete unused networks. Select your network.
Open TCP/IP and write down all the settings, configure iPv4 manually. Enter the settings manually. Turn off IpV6.
Open DNS and write down your DNS server. Delete it and re-enter it manually.
This has worked on 2 macbooks and an iMac for the last 3 weeks with no network drops.
Joe Shea
Philadelphia

After updating my iPhone 5 to iOS 8.1 it will not connect to the wifi network at work even though it recognizes it. It however still automatically connects to the network at home. I have restared the phone and toggled the router, still no connection

After updating my iPhone 5 to iOS 8.1 it will not connect to the wifi network at work even though it recognizes it. It however still automatically connects to the network at home (this is the network I used to update the phone). My iPad however does not seem to have any problem connecting. I have restared the phone, toggled the router, re-entered the network password but there's still no connection.

When your device is trying to connect to the work Wi-Fi network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi > then tap on the name of the Netowrk that she is having trouble with. Then tap on forget this network. Let the device attempt to connect again and make absolutely sure she is trying to connect to the work network and not a nearby network, then make absolutely sure the password is entered correctly.

TS4209 Macbook Air with OS X 10.8.2 not automatically connecting to known wifi network after sleep

Macbook Air with OS X 10.8.2 not automatically connecting to known wifi network after sleep

If you are using WEP as a security on your router that is why it won't connect. WEP is so old school and very insecure that Apple has made it so there WiFi cards won't connect to WEP. It might as well be wide open. You can try that. Take all security, WEP/WPA/WPA2, off your router and see if it connects.
If it does then use either WPA or better WPA2.

Touch screen stopped working. Is there anyway to force a full backup of the iPhone without typing in my passcode lock or is there anyway to force it to connect to a WiFi network so the phone can backup to iCloud??

Hello all, I could use some help with my iPhone 4, I hope this is the best place to ask!
The Problem:
I want to do a full backup of my iphone to either itunes or to icloud. Unfortunately the iphone got wet and isn’t working properly. The phone turns on and still works, but the touch screen no longer works. I have a passcode lock on the phone so iTunes will not allow me to backup it up until I type in the passcode (which I cannot physically do). WiFi had been turned off before it got wet so it won’t connect to any known WiFi networks either to backup automatically to iCloud.
What happened:
I had been travelling for 6 months and went tubing on a river with my iphone in a dry bag. Unfortunately the dry bag failed and filled with water ruining my iphone.
What I’d like to do:
It’s an old phone and I was planning on buying a new iPhone anyway. I would love to do a full backup to either iCloud or to my computer so when I get a new iPhone I don’t lose anything. I’ve already connected it to my PC and downloaded all the photos and videos off the phone so at least I haven’t lost that, but I would like to be able to recover all the text messages, WhatsApp messages and notes I had created during my 6 months of travel.
The last time it was backed up to my pc or to icloud was in April, so there are 6 months worth of very meaningful data I would love to keep to remind me of my travels!
Is there anyway to force a full backup of the iPhone without typing in my passcode lock or is there anyway to force it to connect to a WiFi network so the phone can backup to iCloud??
iTunes recognizes the phone just now and I tried upgrading the phone to iOS7 in the hopes that it would first backup and then upgrade. Unfortunately all that happened is the phone upgraded to iOS7, but it didn’t backup to iTunes. Now the phone is stuck at the iOS7 welcome screen and I can’t do anything else with it.
Any ideas or tips would be welcome!
NOTE: This is NOT a jailbroken iPhone.

If there is no other way around this, is there anyway to completely wipe the phone then??
The Apple store agreed to give me a new iPhone 4 as a warranty replacement for $150 (I travel a lot and I have a factory unlocked phone, so this is still worth it for me). But before I trade it in, I would like to make sure all my data is backed up on the device first.
When I try and restore the phone now on iTunes, it says I have to turn off Find My iPhone on the phone first before I can restore it. Now since I can't use the screen I can't really do that.
So how do I completely wipe the iPhone???
Thanks!

IPhone connects to secured WiFi network, but can't access Internet

Problem: iPhone connects to my secured home WiFi network, shows WiFi strength bars at top of screen, displays checkmark, lock, power, and blue arrow on WiFi Networks screen; however, cannot access Internet, iTunes store, stocks, Weather or anything else.
Tests I've run:
1. iPhone itself:
---DCHP:
IP Address = 192.168.2.102 (within range automatically allocated by LinkSys router--see below)
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0 (as per LinkSys router)
Router = 192.168.2.1 (as per LinkSys router)
DNS = 192.168.2.1 (confirmed by Apple as a valid DNS address given the above information)
Tests:
*Forget Network and rejoin--Failed to connect to Internet
*Forget Network, reboot iPhone, and rejoin--Failed to connect to Internet
*Reset Netowrk Settings and rejoin--Failed to connect to Internet
*Reset All Settings and rejoin--Failed to connect to Internet
*Deleted DNS entry--Failed to connect to Internet
*Connect to Apple Store unsecured network--Success
*Complete reset of iPhone at Apple Store:
**Brought home, made no calls, did not sync with iTunes, did not reenter any info deleted by complete reset, joined network--Failed to connect to Internet
**Synced data previously saved to iTunes, rejoined network--Failed to connect to Internet
2. LinkSys router WRT310N:
Tests:
*Updated Router firmware--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Entered a Static IP address on both router and iPhone--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Reserved an IP within range automatically allocated by LinkSys router--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Reserved an IP outside range automatically allocated by LinkSys router--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Forced MAC filtering to use iPhone WiFi Address--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Disabled all MAC filtering--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Changed security settings:
**No Security--Success
**WAP Personal (AES)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
**WAP Personal 2 (auto selection AES or TKIP)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
**WAP Personal 2 (forced AES)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
**WAP Personal 2 (forced TKIP)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Changed security WAP Password/Passphrase:
**10 characters (alpha numeric)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
**12 characters (alpha numeric)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
**10 characters (alpha numeric/ Uppercase alpha)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
**10 characters (alpha numeric/ Lowercase alpha)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
**10 characters (all numeric)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Set router to Mixed Wireless N/G/B Network Mode--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Changed network radio band from Auto to Wide to Standard--iPhone failed to connect to Internet each time
*Set router to Wireless G Only Network Mode--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
*Changed Router IP address from 198.168.2.1 to 198.168.1.1 (LinkSys default)--iPhone failed to connect to Internet
3. Microsoft router MN-500:
Tried this old router (the one I used before purchasing the LinkSys). It is an old (circa 2002) Wireless B base station with WEP Security. The iPhone was never able to connect to the Internet using various settings, many of which were duplicates of the LinkSys tests above.
On both routers my wife's Dell laptop and my HP printer connect without incident, using the same network/security settings.
I have always been able to connect to various unsecured WiFi networks; I have never been able to connect to a secure WiFi network (although the only one I've really tried has been my own).
I am at a loss as to what to do next. Any suggestions?

SUCCESS!!!!!
I visited my brother-in-law yesterday and attempted to connect with his secure network. By sheer luck, he is using the exact same model LinkSys router. My iPhone connected first time--so the iPhone was eliminated as a source of the problem.
I didn't do a lot of troubleshooting at his house, but I did notice that his network was set for both dynamic DHCP and dynamic DNS. I know that either or both of Windstream (my ISP) and my broadband modem requires a pair of static DNS addresses.
Sure enough, delving real deep into Windstream's support site, I discovered a LinkSys router DNS help page, specifying how to set static DNS addresses in LinkSys routers. I then accessed my router, enterd the known static addresses, saved the router settings, then rebooted the iPhone and connected to the network.
SUCCESS!!!
Thanks to Jane, who suggested it was an ISP issue, Jason, and all at Apple support. dumonj, I'll email you directly. Try this suggestion and see if it helps.

My Apple Tv is connecting to the Wifi network but is not connect to the internet. So when I look for it on my Airplay it doesn't come up. I have 3 other ones already working on the network and they are all fine.

My apple TV is finding and connecting to the Wifi network but then says it is not connected to the internet and then I cannot find it on the iPad through airplay. I don't want it connected to the internet (as in www.) because for the use I have I only need to use the Apple tvs locally in a sports hall as scoreboards. I have 3 others working on the same router and they are working fine (as of yesterday)
On my screen I see (obviously not written like this)
network connect- yes
signal strength- fine
Ip address- fine
DCN- fine
Activation- Failed
This is the only negative I can find and the statement that the Apple TV has connected to the wifi but is not connected to the internet.
Where has it gone wrong for me. Please help

It is not properly connected to the network.
Make sure location is set correctly
DNS should be on auto (settings - general - network)
Try ethernet
Signal strength on device won't account for issues, you would need a network report from istumbler, netstumbler or similar. This will show accurate signal strength along with noise and nearby networks

Trying to set up my brand new MacBook Pro and it does not connect with the wifi network I have selected for this purpose. Nothing wrong with the wifi as both my iPad and iPhone are happily connected. Suggestions for connecting to the wifi network accepted

Setting up my brand new MacBook Pro and it will not connect to the wifi network. Nothing wrong with the network which is happily working for my iPhone and iPad! Suggestions accepted for making this connection.

Fixing this is a two step process:
1) System preferences > WiFi/Airport ...
... check [√] Ask to join new networks
"Known networks will be joined automatically.
If no known networks are available, you will
be asked before joining a new network."
2) Remove unwanted networks from the list of "known" networks under
System preferences > WiFi/Airport > (Advanced) > | Airport/WiFi pane ...
Close the window and save changes. If no joy, do a restart to ensure you are playing under the new rules.

Ipad2 'fails to connect' to my Wifi.

My Ipad2 'fails to connect' to my Wifi whereas my Iphone 3GS successfully connects and works without issue on the same router. Wifi is WEP encrypted with 26 character code. The Ipad 2 sees the network, yet will not connect. I have tried the 'reset network settings' option and I'm looking for any further suggestions?

The process of checking your router settings depends on the router you have. You will need the manual that came with your router. If you don't have one, you probably can download a manual from the router manufacturer's website.
Basically the process is starting your web browser on a computer that is connected to your network. Entering the IP address of the router in the web address line. Usually the IP address of the router is the same as the IP address of the computer connected to your network except the last number is 1. For example if the IP address of the computer is 192.168.0.132, then the IP address of the router would be 192.168.0.1.
The next question you may have is how do you find the IP address of the computer. If you have a Windows computer, go to Start/Run or Start/Programs/Accessories/Run. Type in "CMD" (no quote marks) and press the Enter key. A DOS window will appear. At the command prompt type "ipconfig" and press the Enter key. The resulting listing should show you the IP address of the computer and the IP address of your router (listed as Default Gateway.) If you have a Mac I can't help you, because I don't have a Mac, but I'm sure someone on this forum would be able to help.
Once you enter th IP Address of your router, you should get a login screen. You will need to log into the router. Note that the login password is not the network passcode. If you do not know the Admin login name and password and you are sure no one has changed the password from the default, the router manual will have this information.
When you are logged into the router you need to consult the router manual to find out how to check the settings. If purchance you have a D-link DIR-625 I can help.

Do you know how to keep my mac pro air to connect automatically to wifi

I have problem keeping my Mac pro air to connect automatically to wifi .

It depends on what your settings are set at.
Are you talking about to your own Network, or are you talking about recognising and connecting to Hot Spots.
Go up to the left of the date and you will see the Airport Icon single click it and it should give you the Networks that you are in range of, You connect by choosing the network you want to join. If you need more info be more specific what you need.

Is it possible to control a Mac directly from an iOS device without being connected to a WiFi network, i.e. an airport or similar.

I would like to control my MacMini (Late 2012) 2.3GHz Intel Quad Core i7 processor directly from my iOS device, either my iPhone 6 or my iPad G3. By directly I mean without having a wireless or wired network in place.
I know there are a number of iOS apps that utilize VNC technology but I believe they all require the Mac to be connected via WiFi to an Airport or similar wireless networking device. I would like to control my MacMini remotely without having it already connected to a WiFi network and wondered is it possible? The iOS device and Mac would be in close proximity to one another.
Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks.

Guys, thanks but I did not mean to control it by infrared. I know only too well that iOS devices do not have that capability. However they and the Mac both can send and receive WiFi signals so is there any reason they can't talk to each other directly.
When I am in my home I have an airport but I would like to take the Mac Mini out on music gigs with my Apollo interface which serves as my mic preamp and mixer as it does in my studio but the Apollo needs to be connected to the mac via thunderbolt to download the plugin software that provides reverb and eq, etc. I would like to do this without the need of a monitor and keyboard, hence my dilemma. The only thing I basically need to do is start the mini and the rest happens automatically but I need to also shut down (which I know can be accomplished a couple of ways) but with out having a visual interface you can't make any changes or verify what setting are being used.

Setting up new ipad 2. Won't accept my PW for my Airport Extreme (Wi Fi network?) Where is the PW for my WiFi? I am stymied. Can I set up through My MacBook Pro, which IS connected to my WiFi network?

Setting up new ipad 2. Won't accept my PW for my Airport Extreme (Wi Fi network?) Where is the PW for my Wi Fi? I am stymied. Can I set up through my MacBook Pro, which IS connected to my WiFi network?

If you could provide the make and model number of the modem that the AirPort Extreme will be connecting to, we can likely tell you a bit more about what to expect in the way of getting the AirPort set up and working.
Unfortunately, "plug and play" does not apply here. You will need to set up and configure the AirPort Extreme using your iPad or iMac to name the AirPort as a device, assign a device password, name the wireless network, assign a device password and a few other things.
Once the AirPort Extreme is set up, you can connect the PC to one of the LAN <--> ports on the AirPort Extreme using an Etherent cable.
The iPad and iMac will connect to the wireless network that the AirPort Extreme provides.

Can't connect to other Wifi networks although it works at home

My curve is configured to 'wifi preferred' and shows UMA signal when in my home - using BT Home Hub. Recently I tried to connect to a hotel wifi and my mum's Orange Livebox. Both are now stored on my BB as available connections but Active WiFi connection is showing 'none'. I can't work out how to get it using the Wifi instead of my data plan.
I've read some threads recommending 'hotspot' setting but not sure if this will restrict me to WiFi only? Of course, I would like it to automatically switch back to my BT hub once home. Have done battery pull but no different.
Am at my mum's at the moment if anyone can help please!
Thanks.

Some hotspots require you to log in before you can actually access the internet. Once you do a scan, and connect to the wifi network then you need to open the browser, and go to the Bookmark screen and click on "wifi hotspot login."
Not every wifi network is compatible with every device so some hotspots just may not work.
1. Please thank those who help you by clicking the "Like" button at the bottom of the post that helped you.
2. If your issue has been solved, please resolve it by marking the post "Solution?" which solved it for you!

IMac fails to connect automatically to WiFi network

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for