Macbook dropping internet connection- have diagnostic info (sort of) now...if it helps

I posted a few weeks ago about my Macbook constantly dropping & reconnecting to my wireless network at home, while other computers/ipad are still connected just fine and also that I took it to the genius bar where he could find no issue with it (I don't have problems at public connections such as library or Panera either). My next step will be calling & paying for phone service I guess since it seems to be limited to my connection to my home network (cable modem w/ a mac airport wireless modem/router)...
Today I finally ran diagnostic on it when it was working & then each time I lost it I would try to run it & see what it says.
Let me know if this gives any insight??? (the password is NOT wrong, I have it saved in there & when there is a connection it goes through fine & says the internet appears to be working correctly, I only get this message when my connection is dropped).
"This computer was unable to join the Airport Network you selected. You may have entered an incorrect password or network name, chosen the wrong type of wireless security or you may be out of range of the base station. To change your previous choices click Go Back."
Then, a popup will come up over it that says "Network change detected. Your network configuration has changed. Click OK to proceed to the next step." If I click ok, sometimes I will just continue to get that popup until the connection comes back & then I get a "your internet appears to be working correctly" message.
I have double checked that my ipad is working on my home wireless network during these times and I have been talking on our phone which is through the same line while this is happening. (My daughter was watching a movie streaming through netflix on my ipad that didn't skip a beat while my macbook connection kept coming & going).
Also, the little green dots next to each 'step' on the left in the diagnostics will change during this- sometimes they are all green, but periodically Server, Internet & ISP will turn red, although Airport, Airport Settings & Network Settings always stay green (as a side note, the little bars on the top of my screen indicated the connection to the wireless are almost always completely solid every time this happens). Again, since other devices are working on the same wireless network, I cannot see how this is my server/provider, I feel like it is some sort of issue b/w my Mac & the Airport modem/router.
Thanks...

I have been having the same issue for some time now. I have tried the same things as Lisa. Strange thing though, the closer I move to my Airport, the least likely it is to drop the connection. Can some confirm if this is a bug in the Airport or is it my Macbook pro ?

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I have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 on my MacBook. Constantly dropping internet connection or message "error connecting to the network" comes up. No wireless connectivity issues with windows 7 laptop or iphone.

I have a MacBook with Snow Leopard 10.6.8. The last few weeks it has been constantly dropping internet connection, and one of these messages appear on the page: "Safari cannot open this page because the server where this page is located isn't responding" or "Safari cannot open this page because you are not connected to the internet" comes up. I will check Wifi and I am connected. No wifi connectivity issues with iphone or windows 7 laptop, this doesn't happen with either of those devices. I have unplugged and reset router, cleared cache, still happening. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Hi BCLor!
Try using the suggested steps in the following article to help you troubleshoot this issue with your Wi-Fi connection:
Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4628
Thanks for being a part of the Apple Support Communities!
Regards,
Braden

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.

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.
.

Can I use my Macbook's internet connection on my iPhone?

Hi
I am going away to India and we only have wired Internet in our office.
I want to be able to still use my iPhone to send and receive data
I don't want to pay roaming fees for this data
Can I (either wired or wireless) connect and use the Macbook's internet connection??
It is iPhone 4 (5.1) and latest Macbook Air
Thanks
Gareth

Yes by creating what is called an ad-hoc wireless network with your Mac acting as a wireless router providing internet access for a device such as your iPhone or with another computer via the ad-hoc wireless network created.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/8339.html

AEBS Dropping Internet Connection q 45 minutes

I have the new airport extreme base station. I bought it January and it has worked flawlessly for the past 6 months. recently, in the past week or so, I began getting a dropped internet connection happening every 45 minutes or so.
About my set up:
Cable modem supplying connection to AEBS via ethernet. VOIP box connected to AEBS via ethernet getting internet connection from AEBS. Playstation 3 connected via ethernet to AEBS. Airport Express base station linked to airport extreme base station wirelessly (of course) to share printer connection via USB. iBook G4 1.2ghz running Mac OSX 10.4.9
Trouble Shooting.
Originally I would unplug the cable modem for 30 seconds and plug it back in. This would reset the connection and i would have service again for 45 minutes. I decided to test whether or not it was the router or modem that was kicking me so I unplugged the ethernet cable coming from the modem to the AEBS and plugged it directly into my computer and turned off my airport connection, essentially hardwiring the ibook directly to the modem. I got kicked off again. At this point i drew the conclusion that it was the modem and contacted my cable company. After a bunch phone conversations that essentially accomplished nothing, they sent a tech out to my house. He replaced my old (3 years) cable with a brand new one to test out. I left my computer wired directly via ethernet to the new modem and this time DID NOT receive any drops in connection over a period of 4 hours. I reconnected the ethernet cable from the modem to the AEBS and reset my connection and decided to test out wireless. It dropped me again in 45 minutes. I left the cable modem connected to the AEBS via ethernet and unplugged the ethernet cable coming out of the AEBS that gos to my VOIP box and plugged my computer into the AEBS via ethernet and disconnected from airport on my computer. I was again dropped in 45 minutes. I reset my modem and unplugged the ethernet cable coming out of AEBS that gos to my Playstation 3. Again I was dropped within 45 minutes. After that, I reconnected both the PS3 and VOIP box ethernet cables and unplugged my computers ethernet cable from the AEBS and have just been using the wireless connection and resetting the modem every 45 minutes when it drops. Oh yeah and I forgot to mention that I plugged the Playstation 3 directly into the cable modem via ethernet and played online for 4 hours without interruption/disconnect. Anyways, I am back to square one. I believe based on the evidence above that the problem lies within the Airport Extreme base station router some how, but I have no idea what the problem is.
What happens when my connection is dropped:
I can be doing anything from using an instant messaging service to trying to load a web page using firefox or safari. Basically the page fails to load, i get a message saying it can't find the server. Usually at this point I will open up network utility and try to ping yahoo.com. It doesn't ping and says it can't find the server. I go to the modem and unplug the power for 30 seconds and replug it back in. As soon as everything back up I have my connection back.
What the cable company did:
They looked at their connections, including the fiber optic node for the area. They did not find any outages or problems within their system. They plugged my coxial cable into a modem/tester box (not sure exactly what it was) to evaluate signal received via coxial cable which they said was working properly. they checked my cable connection from house to street and didn't find any compromises in the wire/cable.
I have downloaded and installed the latest firmware for my AEBS. I am out of ideas. Can anyone help?
ibook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)
ibook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I had the same problem earlier this year with my cable carrier. At first I thought it was the modem so I replaced the Dlink with an Apple Extreme and it still kept happening. After some research on MacInTouch I found that using an earlier version of the base station software made the problem go away. So I never updated and all was well with the world. Till last week and now like you I am dropping connections every hour or so no matter what application I am running or what site I am on the internet.
A friendly tech admitted to me that there was a problem with the way the modem communicates with the provider and that they were aware of the problem but that there was nothing he could do to help me.
That is when I cured the problem temporarily by using the base station software from 2004. If I find an answer to the return of the problem I will post it. Please let me know if you find a solution.

TS5254 Hi, is there a way to share my Macbook's internet connection to my iPhone via USB?

I want to share my Macbook's internet connection to my iPhone. I thought the internet sharing via iPhone USB would do the trick but I can't seem to get it working.
Issue arose because my iPhone wifi capabilities seem to have died (Wifi switch is greyed out and I can't switch it on), read a solution online that says I may have to restore my phone, however it requires me to turn off Find My iPhone, which I cannot do without an internet connnection. The only option being using the internet sharing function...
Any help would be appreciated.

I thought the internet sharing via iPhone USB would do the trick but I can't seem to get it working.
Thats because what you're tyring to is not possible. Internet sharing is for sharing the phones cellular connection over wifi, not the other way around.
which I cannot do without an internet connnection.
Is there a reason why phones standard cellular connection doesn't work for you?

WRVS4400N Drops Internet Connectivity with PORT SCAN

I just installed a WRVS440N router and it appears that every time a PORT SCAN happens, the router just shuts down and drops Internet Connectivity for about a minute or two, then once the PORT SCAN is done everything seems back to nomal?
I have heard many complaints about this router and wonder does anyone else have this issue?
I also have very erratic Internet connections speeds and I turened off the IPS feature and that seems to help. I am running version 2.0.8 Firmware.
If anybody has any tips or tricks to improve this router would like to hear. I can only say I regret buying this thing.

I suggest you to play around with the wireless settings on the router, Like changing the wireless name , channel and the type of wireless security.
This link will guide you;http://www6.nohold.net/Cisco2/ukp.aspx?pid=80&vw=1&articleid=3698
Also, you check the firmware of the router by going to the status tab on the interface.
Website you can check to download it.
http://homesupport.cisco.com/en-us/support/routers/WRT110

Photosmart 7250 keeps dropping wireless connection have to reset daily

photosmart 7250 keeps dropping wireless connection have to reset daily

Hello PMW1023.
I understand your Photosmart 7520 doesn't maintain wireless capabilities. Please follow this entire HP document on Printer Does Not Maintain Wireless Connection.
Please inform me your troubleshooting steps.
Looking forward to hear from you.
I worked on behalf of HP.

HT201493 I can't sign in to find my friends , it says I have no Internet connection but I do , the app used to work , help please

I can't sign in to find my friends , it says I have no Internet connection but I do , the app used to work , help please

when you say there is an Internet connection have you used safari? Or does the phone just display a data connection (i.e. 3g/4g)? You could try a couple of things if it is the latter 1. turn off cellular data than turn it back on. 2. turn on airplane mode and turn it back off. I type these assuming you've tried resetting network connections.

Since Updating to 10.9.5 Safari and the App Store drop internet connection periodically while other apps Mailplane and Epic Browser continue to work ?

Hello.
Since Updating to 10.9.5 Safari and the App Store drop internet connection periodically while other apps Mailplane and Epic Browser continue to work ?
Never had this problem previously running a Macmini Server 2010 with the latest Mavericks Updates
Tried reinstalling over my existing OS and seemed ok until I once again updated to the latest security and Safari updates
Any ideas ?
Using ethernet but wireless acts same,
Cliff

I also forgot to note that this problem also persists with the new iBooks application. I cannot get past the 'Get Started' screen or access the iBooks Store. Again, all top bar menus are unresponsive.
DT

Hi, i had created a form on adobe forms central, but i don't have access to the results now. any help would be appreciated.

Hi, i had created a form on adobe forms central, but i don't have access to the results now. any help would be appreciated.

Hi massif76198910,
I don't see that you had a paid FormsCentral account. Were you using the free account? If so, you should still have access to the form until FormsCentral is retired on July 28 2015,
Are you able to log in? Or do you get an error when you try to log in to your account? Please try clearing the browser cache, or logging in via a different browser.
Best,
Sara

MacBook Air + Time Capsule frequently dropping internet connection

I too have been having frequently dropped wireless connections between my MacBook Air (MBA) and my Time Capsule(TC). My TC is connected to a cable modem and I also have an Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS) at a different part of my house which is used to extend my network connecting via ethernet to a PC running VISTA, and wirelessly to a printer and an older MacBook. I also connect wirelessly to my home network with two iPhones, a Squeezebox 3 with a server running on the PC. I have an Apple TV and a Squeezebox 2 connected to my TC via ethernet.
When my connection drops I will either see a Time Capsule disconnect message or if I am surfing the web, the browser just hangs. The wireless ICON strength is still pegged a the max level. None of my other devices (wireless or ethernet) connected to the TC or the other AEBS seem to drop their internet connections. I can re-establish the connection on my MBA by either turning off my MBA's Airport wireless and then turning it back on or by running the network diagnostics. The latter method usually shows green lights for all but the "Internet" and the "Server" which will have yellow lights. Usually when I select my wireless network and press continue, it will prompt for my WPA2 password which I have to reenter even though I always check the box for it to remember the password in the keychain.
After reading the various discussions on disconnect problems and trying the various "solutions" I was still having the disconnect problem.
Last night, I decided to turn off my Time Capsule and was then able to maintain an internet connection for considerably longer than before. Perhaps it was one of the other "solutions" that caused that. After turning my TC back on, the disconnect problem reoccurred within about 5 minutes.
Next, I did my too frequent Time Capsule remedy which was to disconnect the power and then reconnect the power. (Seems like some of these devices (APPLE TV included) could use power switches.) I then deleted the .sparsebundle backup file on the Time Capsule. I was then able to restart Time Capsule backup and things have been running uninterrupted for over 12 hours...still backing up (20GB in 12 hours? Doesn't seem very fast!). I can report back later if this actually "fixes" my disconnect problems in the future. I am dubious that it will.
I have several questions about the MBA and the TC/Time Machine backup operation.
1.) I often forget about the TC when I close the lid on my MBA and haul it off to work. At work (connecting via ethernet), I will eventually get a TC disconnect error. But I am wondering if there are points in the backup process where a random disconnect will cause some sort of TC corruption. What is the recommended way of handling this? Should I always stop the Time Machine backup before turning off my MBA? (A nuisance if so!)
2.) What is happening when the TC backup operation stops functioning and hangs up the MBA's internet connection? (I see lots of messages logged in the system log when this happens; but, of course, I don't have much of a clue of which ones are normal and which are not normal. I could send a copy of the logs when it happens next (I am assuming it will).
Also one other anecdote. A few months back, I had taken another AEBS to my work to use during a training conference. My MBA kept dropping its connection while the other PC laptops in the room maintained their connections...(very embarrassing!). Maybe one of the other "solutions" would have fixed the problem or maybe if I had just turned off my Time Machine backup it would not have disconnected. I will repeat that exercise when I get a chance now that I have some things to try.
It seems pretty clear to me from my own experiences and the discussion reports of others that the disconnect problem lies in the MBA's wireless internet connection software or the configuration of it. It seems like it is having difficulty recovering from various wireless connection "mishaps".

Folks, I was having a very similar problem for the last 6 months. My connection was fine until June 2008, after which my Macbook and my Time Capsule would constantly conflict. If I rebooted or reset the TC, or the MB, things would be fine for a few minutes or sometimes a few hours and the problem would recur soon thereafter. About a month ago, I had to do a clean reinstall and the problem vanished for about 5 days, after which it reappeared. My MB never had a problem at work, or at someone else's home or with other routers, only with TC. Apple sent me a new TC, then they replaced my Airport card but the situation did not change ... UNTIL ABOUT AN HOUR AGO.
An hour ago, I called Apple for the nth time in the last 6 months, and the rep heard me out (just like the previous n-1 reps). He then asked me to to System Preferences --> Accounts --> Login Items and asked if Real Player Downloader showed up in my list. Indeed it did. He asked me to remove it, and told me that Apple had just figured out that the Real Player downloader was recently found to be causing a drop in the connection between Macbooks and the TC (as well Airport Express).
The problem I've been having baffled everyone. All the previous reps, the guys at the Genius Bars, nobody had a clue. Joe (the rep I spoke with this morning) seemed very confident that the removal of the Real Player Downloader from the list of login items would resolve the problem. So far, so good. My connection seems solid (its only been an hour, but earlier it would drop after 5 minutes of use).
I hope my problem that (literally!) used up hundreds of hours of my time has been finally resolved. I hope this solution will work for at least some of you as well. What gives me hope is that this solution is logically consistent with the history of my problems. I probably first downloaded Real Player in June 2008. And when I did a clean install, I remember downloading Real Player a few days after the reinstall. So I'm pretty hopeful that my issue has been finally resolved.
Shame on Real Player for putting out a defective piece of software. And thank you Joe!

Retina macbook pro with thunderbolt ethernet adaptor drops internet connection on open apps after waking

I recently started using a thunderbolt ethernet adaptor and every time my comuter wakes from sleep, all the apps that were open no longer use the internet connection. I have to restart each one of them for them to be able to use the present internet connection. any ideas?

So I've noticed similar behaviour on my Macbook Air. It's a slightly different set of kit, since it's connected to a Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock (http://www.belkin.com/uk/p/P-F4U055/). I'm on my second one of these because first one went back because it kept on dropping the internet connection (sounds familiar?) - and it *might* have been occurring when waking the system from sleep (I didn't make a mental note).
Anyway the replacement was working perfectly, until today - when it's started to drop it's internet connection again, and this time I'm pretty certain that it's related to waking from sleep. The main difference now is that I *just* upgraded to Mavericks, and I wonder if the sleep problem has reared its ugly head again in the latest version of MacOS?
All in all I have to say I'm pretty disappointed with the reliability of thunderbolt & the Belkin Dock thingie. Although it should be said that a single lead from my Macbook Air to the Express Dock is simultaneously carrying: video (1920x1200), Firewire800, 3xUSB3, gigabit ethernet and sound, so I'm not that surprised this technology is prone to the odd glitch, and the cables get really warm too!
It would be great to have some solid information from Apple/Belkin about this.
Cheers, Jon

My MacBook air is dropping Internet connection

I picked this up on 8/23/13 and this is the third time using it. It keeps losing Internet connection. I have reset the router and as an FYI my 8 year old dell has no problems. What should I do first?

You can return a new Mac within 14 days of purchase.
A new Mac is in warranty for 1 year from the date of purchase.
A new Mac comes with 90 days of free tech support from AppleCare.
AppleCare: 1-800-275-2273
Call AppleCare.
Best.

Macbook dropping internet connection- have diagnostic info (sort of) now...if it helps

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