Major WiFi issue on 2012 MBA

coldjeanzzz said:

So I turned on my Mac today and thought everything was working as usual. Internet soon stopped working so I just reconnected like I always do and it started working again. After navigating through a few pages it stopped working again. I tried resetting the router, but that hasn't helped. Basically every time I turn off the WiFi and reconnect I can browse pages normally for about 30 seconds or less and then it will die out again. None of my other devices are experiencing Internet problems.

Where do I start with figuring out what's wrong? (restarting machine did not help)

The really peculiar thing is my internet seems blazing fast when it is loading pages for those few seconds, like every link I click on opens instantly but then the internet obviously will die soon after. If I keep clicking links eventually they open and the process repeats where the internet is super fast for those few seconds but dies again after. I can't understand this at all.

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Open "Network Preferences" (either in System Preferences or by clicking the Wifi signal indicator on the top right of the desktop and click "open network preferences), then click on "assist me" and do a diagnostic to see if there are connections issues with your Mac's hardware or software. Also, have you tried connecting via ethernet (with a MBA of course, you need the ethernet adapter). If all that fails, call your ISP for help.

I would also try using the internet in new user account. This kind of thing could be the result of a corrupt preference file rather than a hardware issue. Also have you tried using wifi someplace besides your home? Do you still have the same issues?

Try having your ISP ping your router...have your tried a wired connection?

Sounds to me like a network issue, either with your router, modem, or on your ISP's end. My bet is on the router.

The first thing to do would be to bring it to another location with wifi access and test it. If it is ok, you can rule out software and hardware AirPort/Logic Board issues.

If it doesn't do it in another location, consider either replacing your router or seeing if your ISP has issues on their end but a on again/off again sounds like router failure to me, personally. You could try going into your routers settings and doing a hard reset as well.

If it's still doing it, you could try a PRAM reset as well as going and deleting the Network Prefs:

Macintosh HD > Library > Preferences > SystemConfiguration

Look for AirPort and Network prefs and drag them to the trash. It will ask for the admin password, BTW. Then restart and do a PRAM reset.

If that fails, you could try reinstalling OS X but at that time, I'd be thinking hardware, not software.

coldjeanzzz said:

It's been a few hours and it seems to have fixed itself. Really not sure what was going on, my big fear is that it was a hardware issue because I was moving my MBA around quite a bit yesterday. Will keep a close eye on it, thanks for your advice guys.

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If it starts having issues again, please post an update. Best of luck

macgeek88 said:

Sounds to me like a network issue, either with your router, modem, or on your ISP's end. My bet is on the router.

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I agree with this. It's been my experience that routers have a finite life, something like 3 or 4 years and then they die.

Lou