Why is my airport signal weak?

With an Airport Express relay to an Airport Extreme base, the signal in my G4 PB 15 in. is much lower and much less reliable than
the signal in G4 iBook when both are used in the exact same location in the house. Why is the aluminum PB performing worse?

You posted in the iPad forum instead of the Airport forum. To get answers to your question, next time post in the proper forum. See https://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa  I'll request that Apple relocate your post.
 Cheers, Tom

Similar Messages

  • Why is my Airport so Weak?

    I have Macbook with OS 10.7.4
    I live in an apartment with several bedrooms and the wireless router is in the hall, maybe 5 meters from my laptop (in my bedroom). The wireless works, but very badly. I'm constantly moving my laptop around in my room to catch a signal that only works half the time. The thing is, no one else in the apartment has this problem. They have a laptop PC, ipads and a couple of mac desktop computers. So is there any reason why my wireless (airport) is so weak? Just like me, they have their computers in their bedrooms, so that means we each have a wall separating our laptops from the router.
    My last computer was a powerbook and I swear it had more reach. When I had that computer, my roommate had a PC and it would pick up all kinds of signals that mine couldn't. So I figure Mac's wireless is weak to begin with, but this one seems extra bad and the other mac users in my house don't have this problem. I appreciate any help.

    Is it an Apple wireless router?
    I have an Airport Extreme and I can go anywhere in my 4 bedroom house....even outside, and never have problems.
    DALE

  • Imac 24-Why does my airport signal keep changing??

    my airport signal keeps changing??
    right next to my imac i have my powerbook 17
    and it's signal is full...where my IMac signal is not??
    signal on my imac is 2 bars from full most of the time!!
    is this a IMAC thing or what??

    No real help but this is a common problem for c2d machines it seems. They have the new "n" protocol wireless card in which willl be faster and further than the g with the new apple extreme base station. It will also be very good for streaming video (iTV). This is just consolation for an iffy wireless link. These boards have many threads on this topic (eg macbook pro area). Do a search any you will find the others with the problem and maybe a solution.
    Cheers

  • Sudden Airport Signal Weakness

    It happened about 2 weeks ago where both at home and work (same type of airport) my computer's ability to pick up a signal has diminished a lot. Right now I am 7 feet away from my airport and the signal in the status bar bounces between 3 and 1 bar. If I move a couple feet to the left or right, it could disappear altogether. It happens at work as well so I think it might be a problem with my computer. I have a Macbook 13 in. that I bought in September of 2006 running OS 10.4.11. I've tried resetting the actual airport, turning the airport off and on in the status bar and nothing helps. Is signal strength related to battery health? Thank you for any help.

    RyanTD wrote:
    Thanks! I just posted before you did, so it is possible to access the antenna on here?
    Apple frowns upon posting links to service manuals in the Discussions (you learn this by experience of having your post removed, not because it is stated clearly in the Terms of Usage), so no can do. On the other hand you can always try your luck (wink, wink) with a general web search for macbook service manuals, or just seeing how your computer comes apart. Mind you, notebooks are nowhere near as easy as desktops, and I wouldn't touch anything still under warranty (you don't specify exactly which MB you have).
    I did a little online research and it appears the airport card does have two or three (depending upon model) antenna wires, which I could see as potentially coming loose. The antenna itself I believe runs the width of the laptop under the monitor (this is with reference to a replacement antenna I found for sale).
    Well, just like a radio, if the battery gets too weak then the playback is bad, but I have extremely minimal laptop experience (other than removing the hard drive from a Winbook XP) so I can't tell you if 24% performance represents that. What happens if you use it while plugged into the mains?

  • Airport signal weak

    Hello, i've noticed recently the signal from my Airport base station is rather weaker than usual.
    Any ideas about what's causing it?
    Many thanks..

    If it's not the obvious (something physically obstructing the signal, like a wall, a new bookshelf, sofa or any other furniture), there may be an electric device (phone, another router, etcétera) causing interference or using the same channel.
    I suggest changing the location of the router, or changing the channel.
    Hope this helps.

  • HT4600 Airport Signal weak?

    My internet is connected (Airport Extreme is green) but my WiFi through my Airport Extreme alternates between ON and Looking for Networks. It has worked for years and now all of a sudden doesn't. I've checked all the connections and checked all the computers. It seems like the signal isn't strong enough anymore. Is that possible? My Airport Extreme is model A1143. I also have an Airport Express that I tried to use to extend the signal but it doesn't seem to help. Could my Airport Extreme be too old?
    HELP!

    Hi Blondegirly,
    Welcome to the Support Communities!
    The article below may be able to help you with this.  Also, check with your Internet Service Provider to confirm network connection speed & strength.
    Resetting an AirPort base station FAQ
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3728
    Under what circumstances will I need to do a reset?
    Hard reset: Perform this reset for troubleshooting and resolving problems with an unresponsive device, or to troubleshoot network accessibility issues.
    Cheers,
    - Judy

  • Airport Extreme - Weak Signal

    Good morning -
    I have a 17" iMac G4 800 (no Airport Card - cable connected to the Airport base station) and a 12" PowerBook G4 133, networked with Airport Extreme. I connect to the internet via DSL with a Siemens Speedstream 4100. My ISP claims download speeds up to 6Mbps although it's usually closer to 4 or 5 (I don't know if this is relevant but thought I'd include it).
    The Airport signal at the PowerBook is very weak - no more than 1 or 2 bars. It's only 50 feet away and inside the house. This is a relatively recent development - perhaps the past two or three months at the outside. The PowerBook works fine at other locations, so I don't think it's the antenna, and a friend's PowerBook also had the same problem during a recent visit.
    - I have a closed network, so I don't think there's any additional drain on the signal.
    - Unplugged both microwave and cordless phones and saw no change in signal power.
    - Moved the Airport to provide a more direct line to the PowerBook, and rebooted both the modem and the Airport.
    - Downloaded and ran MacStumbler and did find that several other nearby networks were on the same channel as I was (Channel 6). I've cycled through all other channels 1-11 but I'm still at one or two bars on my PowerBook.
    I suppose that another closed network (not detectable by MacStumbler) could be causing the slowdown - but on all channels?
    - Increased the Transmitter Power to 100% and changed the Multicast Rate to 11, since I don't need the range to be especially broad, but again I'm still mighty low.
    BTW, what is the "Mode"? Presently it's set to 802.11 b/g compatible. Would that setting have an impact on my situation? Since I don't know what it is, I don't much want to play with it just yet...
    What else should I be checking/doing?
    Adriana
    iMac G4, Powerbook G4, Airport Extreme   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

    It could be that a different type of device is operating at, or causing interference at, 2.4 GHz and causing your wireless network problem. Cordless phones are one big culprit. See KB 58543, AirPort: Potential sources of interference for some other ideas.
    - Increased the Transmitter Power to 100% and changed the Multicast Rate to 11, since I don't need the range to be especially broad, but again I'm still mighty low.
    Increasing the multicast rate can decrease the range. The multicast rate is the guaranteed data transfer rate. The network will drop if this rate can not be guaranteed.
    BTW, what is the "Mode"? Presently it's set to 802.11 b/g compatible. Would that setting have an impact on my situation?
    There are 3 settings:
    802.11b only - The wireless network operates at the slower (11 Mbps) 802.11b protocol for all clients. Since 802.11g is backwards compatible, both 802.11b and 802.11g devices can connect.
    802.11b/g - The wireless network allows both 802.11b and 802.11g clients to connect. The network speed will be slowed only if any 802.11b clients actually are connected.
    802.11g only - The network operates at the faster (54 Mbps) 802.11g for all clients. 802.11b clients will not be able to connect.

  • Weak Airport signal strength after MacBook upgrade to OS 10.5

    Today, I finally upgraded my 13-inch 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook (2 gig RAM, 160 gig HD) to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. After using install and archive to install the new system, I noticed the Airport signal was down to three bars from the usual four. After completing all the system updates to bring it up to 10.5.8, its still receiving only three bars. We're using a 2Wire wireless DSL modem for Internet service. I was getting the full four bars before the system upgrade, and my wife's 14" G4 iBook is still getting four bars.
    What's going on here? Is there an available fix for this? Or am I doomed to going back to OS 10.4.11?
    Roger

    rmatile wrote:
    Today, I finally upgraded my 13-inch 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook (2 gig RAM, 160 gig HD) to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. After using install and archive to install the new system, I noticed the Airport signal was down to three bars from the usual four. After completing all the system updates to bring it up to 10.5.8, its still receiving only three bars. We're using a 2Wire wireless DSL modem for Internet service. I was getting the full four bars before the system upgrade, and my wife's 14" G4 iBook is still getting four bars.
    Those bars are only an approximation of Wi-Fi signal strength. In Mac OS X 10.5 if you pull down the AirPort menu bar item while holding down an option key you'll see a value "RSSI", which is the actual signal strength. If you were using an AirPort base station, you could use AirPort Utility to see actual signal and noise levels.
    In Mac OS X 10.4 I don't think that option key trick works, but you should be able to use the AirPort command-line utility, as describe in the electronic book "Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network" (http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/airport-n):
    - Launch Terminal
    - Type this command:
    cd /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/\
    Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/
    - Type this command:
    ./airport -s
    You'll see the "RSSI" value in one of the columns. If you compare the "RSSI" values for both OS versions, you may find the "RSSI" values more similar than the AirPort menu bar arcs suggest.
    I have no financial connection to Take Control Books.

  • Airport signal goes from 4 bars to 2 - How to fix?

    Hello,
    I have a PowerBook G4 1.67, last revision before macbook pro. Why is it that I can get full 4 bars on my Powerbook G4 Pismo and on my Mac Pro, but on my PowerBook G4 it fluctuates between 4 bars and 3 bars and then 2 bars??? I took my PB to the Apple store yesterday and the genius told me that my connection is fine and no problems.. for 20 minutes, the bars showed 4 while in the Apple store. I am not sure why my PB loses signal or gets weaker when I am in my room.. Can someone shed some light as to why my Pismo has full bars, my mac pro also.. but yet my PB G4 doesn't after say 10 minutes?

    It's possible that there is some source of interference in your room (but not in the store) to which your Powerbook is more susceptible than your other computers.

  • Airport signal blinking and others WIFI problems

    I have a serious problem with my MacBook Pro. The WIFI signal is pretty weak compared to my old iBook or PowerMac G5, and sometimes, the Airport signal is lost and the Airport signal goes from 5 bars to 0, like a blinking.
    I have this message in the Console " Feb 2 21:57:27 ordinateur-de- /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Resources/airport: Error: WirelessAssociate2() = 88001006 for network Airport. The operation timed out. "
    I have no problem with the iBook or the PM G5 on the same WIFI network.
    What can I do ?

    if you are having a reception issue, you may be having some sort of environmental interference.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58543
    also, you can organize your network ports to have airport as your primary. this may help
    open system preferences > network
    - change the Show: to network port configuration
    - drag airport to the top of the list
    - click apply now , in bottom right
    - restart
    hope this helps

  • Airport signal strength for 2008 mac pro

    Hello everyone,
    So, I have a 2008 Mac Pro 3.0Ghz. I read on some of the threads that the airport signal is kind of weak due to the aluminum case. Is this true on all the mac pros, or only on some? I plan to get rid of the USB wireless adapter and use the internal airport option.
    Thanks,

    The internal airport is way better, you'll be a lot happier. I had problems recently when I updated from 10.5.5 to 5.7, but after upgrading my wireless router firmware, I've actually got a stronger signal than before~
    People having issues, should check with their router as well. It's not always the card, even if a different computer is getting a great connection. I think it's a case by case kinda thing.
    Anyway Highly recommended

  • Upgraded my G4 iBook's RAM, now Airport is weak

    Just yesterday I installed 1GB of RAM in my 14" iBook G4 (1.33GHz). The RAM's working great, but immediately on restart my Airport signal has been very very weak. But not gone - I can still see my network, but it's too weak to connect to anything.
    Could I have done something to the antenna during install?

    Compare the antenna wire connection with the photos in KB 108039, Properly attaching the antenna on an AirPort Extreme Card.

  • Airport signal fades

    My Airport signal of late is always strong until I actually "surf" - either navigating to a bookmark or querying on the internet.  Could there be issues with local storage limits, firewall settings, etc that impede the sending and receiving of signal bandwith (or info) that causes the issue.  Again, always fades only duing actual webpage access.  No competing wireless computers, etc.  Is the multicast rate on wireless Airport Extreme Base Station the issue? (1-11 Mbs)?  Any recommended troubleshooting tips or tests to vector down to likely cause?  Thanks.

    Here's something thats worth a shot.
    Make sure that your base station is getting sufficient electricity.
    Here's the deal... I had a router that was frequently fading in and out. I couldn't figure out why until I later learned that the AC Power adapter was somehow the wrong one.
    It was like 5 volts, and the one that was supposed to be plugged in was 12 volts, and since there wasn't enough energy, the wireless signal would fade.
    After i realized this, I went to check out my girlfriend's wireless router, since she was having a similar problem. It turns out that hers was plugged into a power strip, and so it wasn't getting enough energy, so I was able to fix hers by plugging it into its own outlet.
    good luck!
    David

  • Why I am facing signal problem in my 4s after upgrade to os 5.0.1

    Why I am facing signal problem in my 4s after upgrade to os 5.0.1 and how can I solve it

    Hi, i also got the same problem. pls let me know if there any luck.
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    Tusher
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  • Why does my Airport Express say "self assigned IP address"?  No IP address for the ethernet, and it is not connecting to my cable router any longer...

    Why does my Airport Express say "self assigned IP address"?  No IP address for the ethernet, and it is not connecting to my cable router any longer...

    Some cable providers.....like mine, a well known company......seem to take anywhere from a few moments to sometimes up to 30 minutes to allow their equipment back at the cable company to fully reset and issue a new fresh connection.
    So, it would not hurt to leave things powered down for 15-20 minutes or more when you perform the reset that John Galt suggests.

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