MacBook Air dropping wifi? [solved]

Q. My MBA keeps dropping wifi connections, especially when coming up from sleep… it is weird because it prompts me to reenter my WPA2 password every time it does this but even after entering the password it can’t connect! Can you help?

A. I have a MBA that exhibited similar issues, so far the best help has been the latest Lion update (10.7.1) Hopefully this update will help you too and get your MacBook Air working well with wifi! If you still encounter problems, please let me know and also include your wireless router/access-point model # for troubleshooting purposes.

The update:

OS X Lion 10.7.1 Update for MacBook Air and Mac mini 2011 (Client)

OS X Lion 10.7.1 Update for MacBook Air and Mac mini 2011 (Client)http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1439About OS X Lion 10.7.1 Update for MacBook Air and Mac mini 2011 (Client)  The 10.7.1 update is recommended for all users running OS X Lion and includes general operating…

To get the update from your Mac:


Also, here is an article about the surprising fact that you use “Software Update” instead of the “App Store” to obtain the update…

Apple snubs Mac App Store for 10.7.1; enablers all over again? | ZDNet

Apple snubs Mac App Store for 10.7.1; enablers all over again? | ZDNethttp://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/apple-snubs-mac-app-store-for-1071-enablers-all-over-again/10901Apple snubs Mac App Store for 10.7.1; enablers all over again? By Jason D. O’Grady | August 16, 2011, 7:20pm PDT Summary: Apple released OS X Lion Update 10.7.1 via Software…

More people having similar problem:

 

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3229770?start=0&tstart=0

Some older Wifi troubleshooting tips:

WiFi Dropping in OS X Lion? Here are Some Wireless Troubleshooting Solutions

WiFi Dropping in OS X Lion? Here are Some Wireless Troubleshooting Solutionshttp://osxdaily.com/2011/07/22/wifi-dropping-in-os-x-lion-fixes/Updating to Mac OS X Lion for the vast majority of users is a painless experience and everything works great. But for others there can be trouble, there are various user reports…

 

Changelog/feature list of the latest Lion update:

The 10.7.1 update is recommended for all users running OS X Lion and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability and compatibility of your Mac, including fixes that:

  • Address an issue that may cause the system to become unresponsive when playing a video in Safari
  • Resolve an issue that may cause system audio to stop working when using HDMI or optical audio out
  • Improve the reliability of Wi-Fi connections
  • Resolve an issue that prevents transfer of your data, settings, and compatible applications to a new Mac running OS X Lion
  • Resolve an issue where MacBook Air may boot up when MagSafe Adapter is attached
  • Resolve an issue causing intermittent display flickering on MacBook Air
  • Resolve an issue that causes the SD card slot in Mac mini to run at reduced speed with SD and SDHC media

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4764.

 

18 comments

  • Wayne Robinson

    I have the same problem with the 2011 Macbook Air. It won’t connect reliably to a Netgear DGN2000, despite all my other devices working perfectly, including an iPad2, iPhone4, Dell laptop, Windows 7 desktop. I’ve tried all sorts of ‘fixes’ including assigning a fixed IP address. Most fixes work temporarily then it spontaneously reverts back to its old ways. I connects fine to my iPhone’s personal hotspot, it connects fine to other wireless networks. But not my home network. The Lion update worked temporarily, but now it’s worse than ever.

    • J.D.

      What a bummer Wayne! I am sorry to hear that the Lion update did not permanently solve the problem for you. 🙁 Here is hoping apple gets universal compatibility working soon for the MBAs. Thanks for the troubleshooting info and if I find any more info/solutions I will post them here!

  • Michael

    I have still the same problem on a MacBook as well as an iMac. Both are updated to the latest version of Lion. (using AVM Fritz!Box WLAN 3270 and a Netgear WN3000RP Wireless Range Extender)

  • Michael

    ups… forgot to add: I have opened a ticket with Apple Support – hope to have it soon solved.

  • the problem still exists in 10.7.1

  • JOHN KORRISON

    Hi

    Same problem plugged in my new MBA tonight with Lion and cannot connect to my wireless router. Have a windows desktop, 2 windows laptops and 2 phones all connecting perfectly well to the router.

    What is going on? Is there a fix or some black art that I am not aware of in the UK?

    John

  • C

    Don’t hold your breath Michael. Apple has this crazy perception that their products are perfect. And, instead of fixing them, they usually just hold their breath and hope they’ll go away. It’s really annoying. I’ve owned three macs and every single one has had some fatal design flaw and every single time I’ve had to pay more to get it fixed. If my job didn’t require one… I don’t think I’d ever buy another.

  • John

    Apple has long been known for WiFi issues going back to the Power PC days. I know some Mac users who just went to a USB WiFi adaptor because they gave up on Apple’s. My own personal experiences have been mixed. I have had a couple Mac’s that never had a issue and some that never liked the router at any settings and I finally replaced the router and never had another issue. Its just a problem with hardware, security, and firmware. Apple to me just does not fix WiFi as well as they should. I think they take the opinion that its not their hardware but your Network.

  • Rodrigo

    I have a 13″ MBA 2011 with 4GB and 128SSD with Lion 10.7.2, my AP is a Apple Airport Express also with the latest update version 6.3 with encryption WPA/WPA2 Personal, but after my macbook goes to sleep for a few minutes when it comes back it is not connected and I have to either turn off and on the wireless on my MBA or select again my network although it does not ask every time for a password .. can someone help me it does drive me crazy…

  • F

    The problem is caused by a Lion update. It changes the keychain settings.
    Go to Keychain Access an Option click on the network. Click Get Info. Click Access Control and select Allow all Allow all applications. This should solve it.

  • JC

    F’s solution worked for me, at least the last hour. I hope it will last. I have been frantic before.

    If F has fixed the problem, I will pass it on to the others who have been as desperate as I was.

    Thanks, F.

    • Thank you for your comments. I hope the tip was permanently successful in fixing your wifi issues.

      Best regards,
      -JD

      PS Your name has now been abbreviated to preserve your anonymity.

  • Matilda

    Alas. The keychain solution seemed to help, but has not solved the problem. Network diagnostics says my wireless is working but the isp, network, and server lights may be red or yellow. I took my air to a friend’s house and it worked fine. Using Fritzbox fon WLAN 7240.

    Any further advice?

    • Hi Matilda,
      Thank you for your comment. It is good that it worked at your friends house. Have you updated your routers firmware/software to the latest version? Have you tried using a different wireless channel? Do you happen to have another router that you can use? I am sorry that I do not have any super-good suggestions for you 🙁

      Best regards and have a great weekend Matilda,
      -JD

  • UPDATE:
    Matilda responded that switching wifi channels on her router fixed the issue with her MBA. 🙂 Woot!

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