2012 13" MacBook Air dropping wireless

Discussion in 'MacBook Air' started by zObsidian, Aug 9, 2012.

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  1. zObsidian, Aug 9, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2012

    zObsidian macrumors member

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    Nov 25, 2010
    #1
    Hi there,

    I just received my 2012 13" MacBook Air preloaded with Mountain Lion, it's great but it seems as if I keep dropping my wireless connection, sometimes once in 5 minutes, sometimes once an hour.

    I'm using a Linksys WRT610N dual-band router running DD-WRT. I have an iPad, another laptop and a desktop that are all wireless and they seem to retain a signal just fine. In fact, the Air is generally in the same room as the router.

    The Air will always show full wireless bars but then lose signal. Sometimes it will take a few seconds for it to re-establish a connection, sometimes I have to manually do it with Safari's network diagnostics where it will instantly find and pick up the signal.

    I used iStumbler to scan nearby wireless connections to check for interference, my neighbours are mostly on G, channel 6. My router is set for channel 8 on G-band and channel 40 on the N-band (the only N-band around). Both bands keep dropping.

    Anyone else having problems? Suggestions on anything else I can try to fix or diagnose the problem? I'm hoping this is something software related (ML?) and not a hardware problem.

    Thanks.
     
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  2. seared.ahi, Aug 9, 2012

    seared.ahi macrumors regular

    seared.ahi

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    Aug 5, 2012
    #2
    Same problem. I go through Network Diagnostics in Safari like you too. But it always comes back fast and all the lights go green - I've never actually had to reset my router to fix it like I used to have to with my Powerbook - which got "Connection Timeouts" (which is actually a router problem - I know because ALL my Macs/iPhones would go out at the same time). Fortunately no connection timeouts on my new MBA, just a "!" in the wifi spot.

    This problem happens most often after I wake up my computer from sleep. But it does't happen a lot. Maybe 2-3 times a day? And I've only had my MBA for 3 days. Haaha.
     
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  3. zObsidian, Aug 9, 2012

    zObsidian thread starter macrumors member

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    #3
    I actually don't get the "!", just a gray wifi icon.

    What's puzzling is that I have a cheapo Acer netbook on G-wifi sitting next to the Air happily connected to the internet without problems. Insert sadface: :(
     
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  4. ixodes, Aug 9, 2012

    ixodes macrumors 601

    ixodes

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    Pacific Coast, USA
    #4
    I work with a very large contingent of Mac enthusiasts. I'm guessing there's at least 20 of us that have 13" 2012 MBA's.

    Recently I read about this issue but have not experienced it with mine.

    Out of curiosity I asked around at work and none of us have been affected. Perhaps this is a problem that only affects a few machines.
     
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  5. seared.ahi, Aug 9, 2012

    seared.ahi macrumors regular

    seared.ahi

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    #5
    I think it'd be more a software issue than anything.
     
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  6. ixodes, Aug 9, 2012

    ixodes macrumors 601

    ixodes

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    #6
    It's hard to say, yet I tend to agree with you. If it were mine, I'd take the time, wipe the drive and do a complete clean install. I never hesitate to take this approach whenever I encounter a major slowdown or other odd or intermittent issue.

    You'd be surprised how effective it is.
     
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  7. zObsidian, Aug 9, 2012

    zObsidian thread starter macrumors member

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    #7
    How many of you are running Mountain Lion? Perhaps it's a software issue with the new OS.
     
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  8. seared.ahi, Aug 9, 2012

    seared.ahi macrumors regular

    seared.ahi

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    #8
    Sort of an extreme solution. It's not that bad and I haven't encountered the problem at all today.

    Mountain Lion came pre-installed on mine just like yours.
     
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  9. ixodes, Aug 9, 2012

    ixodes macrumors 601

    ixodes

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    #9
    Perhaps you've never performed a clean install on a Mac. It's very simple, nearly 100% automatic, and doesn't take very long. Once you've done it with the new method, you'll see for yourself.
     
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  10. fireos, Aug 10, 2012

    fireos macrumors newbie

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    Aug 10, 2012
    #10
    aiirrr

    My macbook air (august 2012) wireless connection is running smoothly. I didn't upgrade yet on the new os.
     
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