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Late 2013 Retina Wi-Fi Problem?

iamMacPerson

iamMacPerson

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jun 12, 2011
3,488
1,927
AZ/10.0.1.1
I apologize if this has been asked and answered before, I couldn't fine the post.

I noticed that when browsing the web, sometimes the connection slows. It can take 30+ seconds to load a Bing result, which is quite a wait considering I have 30Mbps Down and 4Mbps Up. I'm not having the problem with my iPhone or iPad or any other device in my house, just my MBPr. I remember reading this was a problem with the 13" models, however I have the 15" model.

Specs in my signature, running a fresh install of 10.9.2 Mavericks.

Router: AirPort Extreme 6th Gen with 802.11ac.
 
I have a similar problem sometimes, but discounted it being a problem with the rMBP.
Mine is the 13"/256/8 model.
Every now and again the progress in the address bar will stop the page from loading at about 25% across.
If I stop it and refresh it then does it OK.
Is this the fault that the wifi had/has?
I am using 802.11ac

Barney

edit: I'm using safari
 
Barney63 said:
I have a similar problem sometimes, but discounted it being a problem with the rMBP.
Mine is the 13"/256/8 model.
Every now and again the progress in the address bar will stop the page from loading at about 25% across.
If I stop it and refresh it then does it OK.
Is this the fault that the wifi had/has?
I am using 802.11ac

Barney

edit: I'm using safari
Click to expand...

Yes! Exact same issue! Is it something with the new Broadcom chip thats handling the ac networking? If so, I hope they don't use the same chip in the iPhone 6. Every browser I try, Safari, Chrome, FireFox, they all have the same issue.
 
Barney63 said:
Is there a solution to this?
Does it need a repair or exchange?

Barney
Click to expand...

I'm going to try calling Apple to see what they say. I bet they are going to want me to take in to the store which I won't be able to for at least a week or two so they can run the diagnostics that always come back clean. Then they're going to make a "courtesy repair" which they'll only do once and send the machine into the depot for an AirPort Card replacement and/or a clamshell display, which means I might get a crappy display (mines perfect right now). Then they'll screw up the repair, send it back with a bad card causing Kernel Panics and a misaligned display which I won't notice until I get home (30 minute drive to Apple, 30 back) so I'll have to make another trip to the store to complain, they'll send it back out. I'll be machineless for another week, get it back, another issue after the repair, I decide to try and live with it, but it worsens over time requiring me to go back. Another week out to the shop, until it comes back with a new LoBo. Get it back, continues to Kernel Panic for no reason, have to talk to manager, they replace the computer with a new one after 2 hours of waiting.

At least, thats what always happens to me. Its a vicious circle.
 
I'm quite local to my Apple Store (15 minutes away from the Trafford Centre, Manchester, UK), so it is no hardship for me to call in. I just don't know if it is a real fault (physical) or not.
ScreenShot2014-03-09at233653.png

Any advice?

Barney
 
I've been told by a very nice Advisor at Apple (I don't know her official position, but since I was transferred to her from a Senior Advisor, I'm calling her a Super-Senoir Advisor) that my issue has been escalated to the engineers and that she would call me back in 2-3 days with their response. I will keep everyone updated.

I'm glad I'm not alone. I recommend everyone call AppleCare and have them escalate to the engineers. With multiple cases of the same issue crossing their desk, they're more likely to pay attention and address the issue.
 
I had issues on my late 2013 rMBP until I bought a new router. I was dropping the signal all together and speeds would very from almost nothing to about 16 Mbps. Now I get about 60 Mbps and that's at the furthest point from the router. I have the Asus RT-AC68R and couldn't be happier. Everything on the network is working faster than before. It was worth the upgrade.

Victor
 
WiFi

Same issues with my 13/512/8 that I had just purchased. Returned to the Apple store right at the 14 day mark. They replaced the MacBook and I have had no issues with the new one.
 
So is the problem with the wifi as I described?
I have a similar problem sometimes, but discounted it being a problem with the rMBP.
Mine is the 13"/256/8 model.
Every now and again the progress in the address bar will stop the page from loading at about 25% across.
If I stop it and refresh it then does it OK.
Is this the fault that the wifi had/has?
I am using 802.11ac

Barney

edit: I'm using safari
Click to expand...

Or do you have to do something other than a reload/refresh to fix the problem?

Barney
 
Barney63 said:
I have found it only happens when I'm using 5GHz.
When on 2.4GHz there is no problem.

Barney
Click to expand...

Interesting because I too have problems with all my devices with my 5 ghz connection... Everything runs smoother/faster at the 2.4 level.
 
For those of you using wifi check your security setting. Apple recommends WPAPSK-AES for best results with Apple products. I have a Macbook Pro (15") bought in February. i have Xfinity Comcast as my provider. The gave me a cable modem/router. I had problems with weak signals and slow downloads. i talked to a tech and he had me change the security setting. Everything is running faster now.

Your results may very.
 
I've been monitoring it for a few days now and it looks like the problem does exist on 2.4GHz too.
What I have just noticed though is that if I look at the network status in the menu bar, the status constantly changes from "Wi-Fi: On" to "Wi-Fi: Looking for Networks..."
I managed to get a screenshot of it:-
ScreenShot2014-03-20at211547.png

Do I have a hardware problem?
Would you advise a Genius Bar appointment?
If so, what info should I go armed with?

Barney
 
priitv8 said:
Code: 
/var/log/wifi.log
Click to expand...
Where do I type that?
Typed it in finder and it showed nothing.
In terminal it says "Permission denied".

Barney

edit:
I found this on the net :-
Airport and/or Wi-Fi Logging

Open Terminal
Type: sudo su -
Type: cd /
Type: System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport debug +AllUserLand
Exit
Close Terminal.
Restart the Computer.
The wifi logs will be in Console (/Applications/Utilities) in the /var/log/ subtree as wifi.log
Click to expand...
When I go to /var/log and then click on wifi.log the page is empty.
Does it take a while to create the log?

Barney

edit 2:
There is quite a big log there now, what info is relevant?

Barney
 
Last edited:
I seem to have a lot of these :-
Fri Mar 21 17:37:49.899 <airportd[84]> _bsd_80211_event_callback: LINK_QUALITY (en0)
Fri Mar 21 17:50:17.911 <airportd[84]> _bsd_80211_event_callback: LINK_QUALITY (en0)
Fri Mar 21 17:50:22.917 <airportd[84]> _bsd_80211_event_callback: LINK_QUALITY (en0)
Click to expand...

Is that normal?

Barney

edit:
On the security mode, I only have WPA, WPA2 and WPA/WPA2 Mixed Mode.
It is set to the mixed mode.
 
Last edited:
I have the same exact problem. I have a 13 rMBP, late 2013. I also noticed more slow down with 5ghz than 2.4ghz. Please help if you know any solution to this. I have tried chrome, which is slightly better, but not by much. I am thinking it is the wifi card problem that maybe universal to all 2013 rMBP.
 
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