Random AirPort "Connection timeout"

My Macbook (late 2008, aluminium, running 10.5.8) has had problems connecting to my home Wifi since I returned from the States, where I'd been using it without any problems. It will randomly and unpredictably stop loading pages. I turn Airport on and off, where it detects my home networn, brings up a dialog box "This network requires a password" I click connect and then I get "connection timeout". Turning AirPort on and off or deleting then re-adding the network does not help, nor does restarting my Macbook.
I initially thought it was our Netgear router, but my housemates have no problems connecting (one with a MBP, late 2010 and a third gen iPad, the other with a windows compueter) and even my HTC phone is connecting with no issues.
I'm now reduced to connecting through Ethernet using my phone... which is connected to my home network wirelessly (how ridiculous).
I'm at a loss as to why this has happened suddenly. Any tips or solutions would be greatly appreciated. Plus... I'm not that tech savvy so please keep it relatively simple!

OMG! Undertwilight I am having the same exact problem! I have a late 2007 17" Macbook Pro runing 10.5.8 as well, and my problem fits yours to a T.
I have had Cisco run me through resetting and reconfiguring my router twice now and I am still have intermittent access to my router.... : (
Were you able to solve your problem?!!? Please help if you were!
Thank you,
Callie

Similar Messages

Can't connect via Airport -- "connection timeout" error, instead

I've got a MacBook Pro here, which was successfully connected online via Airport, under OS X 10.4.11.
Then I upgraded to Leopard (10.5), and the machine would no longer connect automatically to the router.
OK, I tried manually configuring the wireless connection, but no luck. So, I brought in an old iBook G4 running the same OS (10.5), and successfully linked it to the router, wirelessly, via Airport.
Copying the procedure that worked with the iBook -- to the MBPro -- did not help. Still getting a "connection timeout" error message.
So I performed a fresh install of 10.5 -- and I even DLed the Software Updates, including two that were supposed to improve Airport functionality -- and tried again. No luck.
Any suggestions?
TIA.

John,
I had the same problem when I upgraded from Tiger to Leopard in January. My memory is already rusty but try the following:
1. Go to System Preferences > Network pane. On the left pane, click on AirPort. In the right pane lower right, click Advanced button. Then on the AirPort tab, click on the name of your network and then the minus sign to remove it from the list.
2. Click Apply and quit System Preferences.
3. Put the computer to sleep.
4. Wake the computer.
5. Go back in to Network preferences, AirPort tab. Click the plus sign to add your network. Fill in the Network Name, choose the type of Security by clicking on the pop-down bar, enter password/code/phrase and click Add. NOTE: Do not connect to the network at this time.
6. Click Apply and Quit the Network Preferences.
7. On the Menu row, click the Airport icon and select your network. (IF your network does not show, choose Join Other Network. Fill in the Network Name, choose the type of Security by clicking on the pop-down bar, enter password/code/phrase and click Join.)
8. Verify connectivity
9. Put the computer to sleep.
10. Wake the computer.
11. Verify connectivity
HTH

Airport connection timeout on Mac mini PCs works fine

Hi
I'm having trouble with my Macmini since I upgrade to Leopards latest updates. My girlfriends PC connects with no problem and also my company PC. It's just the Mac thats having trouble. I've had it for 2 years with Tiger and its just been working fine all the time. Then I bougth Leopard and a Time capsule for Christmas and I didn't realy had any trouble until the 10.5.6 update installed then it has been nothing but trouble. I did get it to work by following some instructions I found on the Net. For a day or two it worked fine then I upgraded the Time capsule then it was gone again. I bought the mac for it simplicyty but now its giving me a hard time. Anybody having a suggestion please

I have a similar problem. Though I couldn't get my Mac Mini (just got it 2 weeks ago) to ever connect through AirPort. My router (LinkSys) is in the same room as the mini. Sometimes mini can't even see my network but it does see a couple of other WLANs in my proximity.
I have no problems finding and connecting with my black MacBook and my girlfriends HP Pavilion.

I am getting a "connection timeout" message when trying to access my Airport Extreme with various laptops, Play Station 3 and Wii. My Airport Extreme is about a month old; it was working fine until about a week ago. C

I am getting a "connection timeout" message when trying to access my Airport Extreme with various laptops, Play Station 3 and Wii. My Airport Extreme is about a month old; it was working fine until about a week ago. Suddenly, the "timeout" is not allowing me to connect to my wireless network.

It could be that there's a new source of interference.
Use the advice in the second message of this thread to investigate the signal and noise levels that each client sees:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2347845&start=1
By the way, you've been misled by the poor field labeling into trying to type your entire message into the subject field, instead of putting a one-line topic description there.

I lost my connection when I was using internet and when I want to reconnect to airport it give me connection timeout error, I changed my password on router but still doesn't work. How can i fix my problem?

Hi,
I lost my airport connection when I was using internet and when I wanted to re-reconnect to airport it gave me connection timeout error, I changed my password on router but still doesn't work. How can i fix my problem?

Hello there hastibahreini,
It sounds like you were using your Wi-Fi network from your Airport base station and the connection cut out. You have reset the password on the device but the issue persists. I would try the 3 resets outlined in the following article in order to help resolve the issue. If it persists, is the Wi-Fi connection issue happening on more than one device or computer?
Resetting an AirPort base station FAQ
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3728
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Sterling

Airport does not detect wireless network; it says problem = [network]"connection timeout"

It is not a problem of signal strength, and my Airport detects other networks. It used to detect the network I want to connect to, for two years. It suddenly stopped detecting the network (which is WPA Personal password-protected). When I select choose other network and type in the password, it won't connect to it claiming "connection timeout."
This happened before. Then after several days, Airport was able to detect and connect to the network I want. Now it again won't detect the network, and this seems permanent short of taking measures to address the problem. Should I try connecting manually to the network, and hodo I got about that? Thank you to anyone out there ho might be able to help.

i have a macmini (OS 10.5) and use a belkin wireless router. When I turn on Mac address filtering on the router I have an Intermittent problem. The airport does not recognize the wireless network. On the network preferences panel there is a message that the airport is using a self assigned IP address. sometimes the message says the airport has no IP address. If I turn off the Mac address filtering and use a WAP password only the network is recognised and connects without a problem. How do I resolve this? I dont have the problem with a iBook using system 10.4. Is turning off the Mac address filtering secur?

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

15" MacBook Pro randomly loses connection to my AirPort Express wi-fi network.

My 15" MacBook Pro randomly loses connection to my AirPort Express wi-fi network. I have to switch off wi-fi on my Mac then switch on again to reconnect. Any reason why this random occurrence keeps happening which never happened before? Any solutions and fixes would also be welcomed.
Jazz

In the airport utility, you can alter the radio modes... and change the channels from automatic to a manual one.
Hold down the Option key, and click on your wifi icon, it will tell you what channels are currently being used on your OSX.

Airport is functioning, but what does connection timeout mean

When I try to join my network, I get a "connection timeout" message. HELP!

Do you have a picture of it?
Seriously this is the iPhoto forum - try the network forum - http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1222 if you have Leopard
LN

Connection timeout on iBook, no DNS number on iPhone, Windows unaffected.

I have an iBook G4 and an iPhone 3GS which both have connected to the wifi here multiple times. Randomly, I find that my iPhone will connect to the wifi, but I will not get a DNS Number, Router Number, and nothing appears under Search Domains. On my iBook running 10.5.8, when I want to connect to the wifi I put in the password (which should have been saved btw) and it tells me Connection Timeout. The this that really grinds my gears is that the windows computers seem to be unaffected. I have reset the router a couple times, and followed steps found on here such as forgetting the network on my iPhone, deleting the network in the saved networks section under the Advanced in the Airport tab of Network in System Preferences. I don't know what else to do.

Sorry. The topic title got mucked up when I tried to paste in my System Information. And I can't paste it in using my iPhone without it going haywire. I can provide any details you need.

Time Capsule woes -- Connection timeouts and can't connect with one Macbook

This is my second Time Capsule. Here's the scenario:
I have a Netopia 3347 DSL modem. That feeds into the Time Capsule in bridge mode. There is a MacBook (metal case), iBook (yes, it's old), two iphones, a color printer and an iPad that can all connect to the Time Capsule just fine. The problem is my MacBook can't connect. The offending computer is a 2.2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo running SL 10.6.6. This computer can connect to the Netopia just fine, so I know its internal Airport works. After several go arounds with Apple tech support, I'm still nowhere.
Here are the symptoms:
1. I can see the TC's network SSID in the airport pull down menu. If I select the TC, a popup appears and asks for a password. If I enter the password, I'll get a connection timeout error.
2. On the rare occasions where it does connect, I can't open a webpage. Network diagnostics has red dots for ISP Internet and Server
3. On the even rarer occasions where it does connect, and I can access a webpage, it's unbearably slow, and the no-surf problem reappears after a few seconds. The red dots on the Network Diagnostics reappear.
Apple tech support was not helpful. I've power cycled everything a million times (and that doesn't explain why other computers can connect.) I know it's not my computer, because it can connect to the Netopia just fine.
I am STUMPED.

Magnificent! Problem solved... Isn't there a "this solved my problem" button somewhere?? Thanks and thanks again!

Could not join "wifi network name". A connection timeout occurred.

Mac Pro running 10.7.5.
Whenever the computes wakes from sleep or logs in, it no longer automatically connects to my wifi network. When I manually select the network for from the Wi-Fi status in the menu bar, I get the following message: Could not join "wifi network name". A connection timeout occurred.
Even though I get that message the machine joins the network with no other problems. I am led to believe that is is on the Mac Pro as my Macbook and iPad/iPhone join the network with no issues.
I have tried deleting and restoring the preferred network, and remember networks is checked. I have also restored my airport express base station.
Any suggestions?

Hello,
Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712
10.5, 10.6, 10.7 & 10.8…
System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.
10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x instructions...
System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.
The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.
If using Wifi/Airport...
Instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.

Connection timeout with Apple WiFi devices

Ok, here's the scenario.
The important thing to remember is that all was working well, as happy as 'larry the lamb'. Being that I was running Snow Leopard on my MacBook Pro 8,3 while accessing the internet through my iPhone 4 using it's Personal Hotspot feature (with iOS 4.2.5/4.2.6 running on the iPhone 4). Internet thethering worked beautifully between the MacBook Pro & iPhone4 and all was well. Some time before this I had used the Time Capsule's WiFi for internet access with NO problems (when I had dedicated broadband), but then switched to using mobile tethering (personal hotspot feature).
I then upgraded to OS X Lion 10.7 (11A511) the day it was released and did this over a friends fast internet connection using cable ethernet connection for quicker speed. While I was doing this, I also downloaded the latest iOS update for my iPhone 4 being iOS 4.3.4 (8K2).
Then the problems started.. I have not been able to connect to the iPhone's Personal Hotspot, nor the Time Capsule's WiFi and neither the Airport Express unit (that plugs straight into the power socket). All three devices say 'connection timeout'. Resetting them either physically (reset button) or through the Airport Utility using an ethernet link (in the case of time capsule and airport express) make no difference.
I wish I never updated the iPhone iOS and previously put of updating it for the previous few updates because the tethering worked so well on it, therefore I would want to downgrade it to iOS 4.2.5/4.2.6 again (need to locate and re-download those two versions and accuire instructions - if anyone could help, would be very appreciated?).
Now this is the strange thing:- Although I cannot connect to the Apple Time Capsule, Apple Airport Express and iPhone Personal Hotspot (getting the 'connection timeout' error all the time), I am however able to connect to a non-Apple device Vodaphone 3G WiFi point. The Vodaphone 3G device is a 3G USB mobile dongle that is plugged into it's own dedicated small WiFi base station.
I am at a loss as to what is going on here?

I can totally understand your frustration and it ***** that you are having to experience it. I do know that for me yesterday the Apple.com page was down all day. I could connect to any other website, but not the Apple.com website. However, that doesn't solve your issue.
I would advise you to break down your issue by each component and then work to solving them one at a time. I would first look into getting your machine connected to the internet first. If you have no way of getting it connected to the internet without using the other devices you mentioned at your home network, then go to a friends or to a place where you can test your machine's ability to stay connected to the internet through a different network. This will allow you to rule out the posibility that the issue is isolated to your machine/OS. If you find yourself still having connectivity issues, then work on solving them before introducing your other devices to the problem.
Once and if you solve the issue with your machine I would then start looking into your home network and the devices you are using (i.e. Time Capsule, Airport, etc.) and be sure to check to see if you have the latest updates for them: http://support.apple.com/downloads/#airport
For my own network, I use a modem (ARRIS) and router (Linksys E2000) and have had no issues with any of my machines (running Lion) or any of my other devices (i.e. iPhones, iPods, printers, etc.) connecting to my Wi-Fi network. I do however have family and friends that are using the same devices as you, but are not having any issues. However, none of them are using their iPhone's HotSpot and neither myself or anyone else has updated to iOS 4.3.5.
I truly wish I could be me more of help, but the truth of the matter is when dealing with networks that deal with many different devices there are just so many variables that can be at play in regards to the issue, that you truly just have to take it one step at a time until you isolate the source of the issue at hand.

Best router for a macbook experiencing connection timeouts?

Hi all,
I know macbook wireless connection issues have been discussed to death already, but I have a slightly different question and with Black Friday looming, I was hoping to get some input from those who may have had success with finding a new router. I apologize for the incoming wall of text, it's been a long, arduous journey.
My 2007ish Macbook ceased to be wireless over a year ago, at least at home. I was on Snow Leopard at the time, and using the internet when it dropped suddenly but connected after a restart. It dropped several more times and each time would require more restarts. By the end of the day, it didn't see my router, nor the neighbors' forever unsecured linksys router (yet i've had to go to war defending our network from their 17 year old son) or any other nearby network. I'm no longer 100% certain, but I do believe there had recently been an update (wifi died around July 4th 2011 if anyone is an obssessive date keeper) In the next days I installed kismet and istumbler and took the macbook for a drive around the neighborhood, where it proceeded to detect all kinds of other networks that it had never seen before (like, ever because its out of range). At home, still nothing.
Over the next few months, I furiously googled for hours upon hours and tried everything I came across. And I do mean everything, even things I consciously knew would not have any affect. I did a clean install of Lion but no change. It's been to the apple store three times, where of course it detected their network and connected with no hesitation and diagnostics showed it maintaining better signal strength than I can ever remember seeing at home. They gave me various suggestions, from the predictable 'replace wireless card' to the ludicrous 'send it off and have the antennae replaced' which would be $800 dollars because they would need to open the screen part. Yeah..no. At least they replaced my swelling battery and top case for free. Anyway, thenceforth I remained chained to my desk by ethernet.
Fast forward to now. Still chained to the desk, but more determined than ever to do something about it. About a month ago I gave it another go and eventually after a few adjustments it started to actually detect the router and I can click to connect, enter the password, but of course, connection timeout. So the network name sits there in the dropdown menu, but bars all greyed out. Very frustrating.
So as a last ditch effort, I have decided to try replacing our router, a Linksys WRTP54G that is infuriatingly locked to Vonage, which we no longer have. There's a motorola surfboard modem connected to the router, and a switch between the router and macbook. The switch isn't the problem, it wasn't even there when the problem started. I've also tried a WRT54G which didn't work either. The Macbook works fine on a university network, but I don't have access to any of the specifics about the network. It also connects to a plethora of other home networks and routers, some of which I do believe are b/g routers.
We're due for a more powerful, capable, and not-cursed-by-vonage router anyway as our devices have increased in number from 4 to nearly 13. I want one that can support NAS and if possible Open WRT. I was also planning to move us behind a VPN very soon. I know that's maybe getting a bit nitpicky, but I am definitely prepared to pay more if it means the Macbook is wireless and I can clear up the 20ft river of chords snaking not so subtly around our upstairs.
So the question is, has anyone had any luck fixing the problem by replacing the router? Even if it doesn't have tons of features, any input on what kinds of routers seem to make Macbooks with this problem fall in line would be so helpful!!

Apple AirPort Extreme has served my mixed environment very well. You can buy a refurbished one from Apple and save some $.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=AA9 C1548&nclm=CertifiedMac

New Installation Help Needed - Connection Timeout

New to the home and Verizon service from a combination modem/router. In Airport Utility, chose to connect to a wireless network and add AE in order to extend my current network (the issue is distance to an important computer). The utility seems to run okay and there is a green light at the end of the routine. I have tried every combination available and either continue to get the Connection Timeout or cannot see the network at all.
Any suggestions?
I tried adding in my old Linksys router and while the network name appears an error message is always given that the user is not connected to the internet.

josephchatham, Welcome to the discussion area!
To extend the wireless network created by the Verizon base station you will need to connect the AirPort Express (AX) via Ethernet. The AX can not wirelessly extend the network created by that base station.

Random AirPort "Connection timeout"

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