Identifying a network issue

[alexgilder]

The last few days I've had a recurring issue where my wifi keeps dropping connection to the internet. By this I mean the MacBook stays connected to the router but at regular intervals things stop loading. Sometimes a page will say DNS error, another time it'll just say the server took too long to respond. I can see it dropping when OneNote and Google Drive show they're not connected.

It has been doing this on other devices as well but for good measure I reset the network preferences and set up a fresh location in System Preferences with new DNS servers etc.

No change... which means I'm guessing it is an issue with my ISP/router.

Is there a way to identify the issue on my MacBook is so I can be completely clear with the ISP? My ISP tech support tend to be useless so I'd like to be able to tell them exactly what the issue is rather than saying "well pages won't load so..."

Thanks!

 

[kohlson]

First things first. Have you rebooted the router and/or cable modem?

If you haven't changed anything, I would try a support call. They won't be much help, but they can tell you if everything is good at their end. Like no squirrel bites in the lines.

 

[alexgilder]

I'm at a loss and beginning to think it is an issue with my MacBook Pro. The ISP claims to have reset some settings... whatever that means. But the wireless connection keeps dropping. Pages stop loading and Safari says it is not connected to the internet. If I turn the wifi off and on again in the menu bar it will work for a short time before cutting out.

I've plugged the MacBook into the router via Ethernet/Thunderbolt and that works fine - no issues. Other devices seem okay too although my phone had a blip on Friday where the connection dropped a couple of times. Not sure what to make of that.

I have no clue how else to determine what is wrong. The extent of my knowledge was to reset network preferences and try different DNS locations which haven't worked.

 

[simonsi]

It has been doing this on other devices as well but for good measure I reset the network preferences and set up a fresh location in System Preferences with new DNS servers etc.

No change... which means I'm guessing it is an issue with my ISP/router.

Is there a way to identify the issue on my MacBook is so I can be completely clear with the ISP? My ISP tech support tend to be useless so I'd like to be able to tell them exactly what the issue is rather than saying "well pages won't load so..."

Thanks!

If it does it on other devices then it has to be the router/modem or the ISP.

I've plugged the MacBook into the router via Ethernet/Thunderbolt and that works fine - no issues. Other devices seem okay too although my phone had a blip on Friday where the connection dropped a couple of times. Not sure what to make of that.

However if now your other devices seem fine then it is likely the wifi connection and not the internet connection from the modem to the ISP, especially if when cabled all is well.

Test your MBP by going to another wifi and using it long enough to confirm whether you still have the problem so it is your MBP or if you don't it is likely the modem. If the modem then try a factory reset and set it up from scratch and/or ask the ISP to swap it out. If the problem is your MBP then it is highly likely to be the wifi card in it and not High Sierra that is the problem (unless issues started with an OS upgrade...?). Fix then will depend what MBP you have.