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[MAD] Ugh even the new MacBook Pros are affected by the most infamous WiFi bug after all these years

sniffies

sniffies

macrumors 603
Original poster
Jul 31, 2005
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somewhere warm, dark, and cozy
Bug: WiFi fails to auto-reconnect after long idling

I really thought this bug would become history with the new MacBook Pros. Not so fast. Not the latest software, not even the latest and greatest hardware was able to permanently fix this damn bug. I can't believe after all these years, it's still an issue. I went though so many Macs, so many OS's, and it's there every damn time.

[crying]
 
sniffies said:
Bug: WiFi fails to auto-reconnect after long idling

I really thought this bug would become history with the new MacBook Pros. Not so fast. Not the latest software, not even the latest and greatest hardware was able to permanently fix this damn bug. I can't believe after all these years, it's still an issue. I went though so many Macs, so many OS's, and it's there every damn time.

[crying]
Click to expand...
No wifi issues whatsoever with my new MBP 2016 15".
Maybe it is your router having issues?
 
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sniffies said:
7 different routers, and all having issues? I doubt that.
Click to expand...

Well, probably not then.
Maybe it is software related. You could try to test its behaviour on a clean install. Create a small additional partition, clean install and check. You can delete the partition afterwards. This is what I would do.
 
sniffies said:
7 different routers, and all having issues? I doubt that.
Click to expand...
Couple of questions...

How far are you from the router?
Which frequency do you use? 2.4 or 5 GHz?
How many networks are there around you?
What kind of devices are you using in the house?
Are you using a USB 3.x hub/dock?
Are you using a 3rd party charger?
 
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lietsche said:
Well, probably not then.
Maybe it is software related. You could try to test its behaviour on a clean install. Create a small additional partition, clean install and check. You can delete the partition afterwards. This is what I would do.
Click to expand...
It's a brand new Mac, WiFi issue out of the box. Same WiFi issue on my MBP 2015, 2014, 2012, MBA 2013, 3 different houses, 7 different routers.
 
I'm with @cerberusss there's an environmental factor going on there. My 2012 MBP has had ZERO issues with reconnecting after sleep. It also has no trouble staying connected while awake for long periods.

I'm using the 5 gHz, many other networks in range, at most 40 feet from the router. I have as many as 6 other devices connected at the same time.
 
cerberusss said:
Couple of questions...

How far are you from the router?
Which frequency do you use? 2.4 or 5 GHz?
How many networks are there around you?
What kind of devices are you using in the house?
Are you using a USB 3.x hub/dock?
Are you using a 3rd party charger?
Click to expand...
- Sitting sometimes 5 inches away from the router, sometimes 5 feet away from the router
- Used both frequencies
- At one house, there were 15 networks around me. At another house, no other networks
- Using just MBP and iPhone
- Not using any hub/dock
- Using only official chargers
 
Last edited:
That's the beauty of wireless technology....it is buggy as hell and almost impossible to troubleshoot. Good luck, you're going to need lots of it.
 
I know what you're talking about OP. Occasionally when my mid-2012 rMBP (Sierra) wakes from sleep the WiFi menu bar icon will cycle for 20 seconds or so and still not connect. Disabling and re-enabling WiFi at any point during this cycle or after results in an immediate successful connection.
 
I had this issue on an air a long time ago, no issues with mine now though. Actually fastest and most reliable in a computer I have ever had.
 
Haven't had a problem with my 2016 MBP yet. Is this a known issue? I have it on idle quite often (plugged in), and don't do many restarts.
 
I have never had this problem with my 2010 MBP, but my moms 2012 MBP does. In fact, it was really a problem when we were there over the holiday. We both use the same routers (Airport Extreme).
 
One possibility that you might not have considered is conflicting country codes broadcast from your neighbours wireless routers (causing your mac to inappropriately restrict its wifi bands and fail to connect)

You can test for this using the "wireless diagnostics" tool that comes with your mac - search for it using spotlight
 
You know, I used to have this all the time. After sleep on wake I would have to reconnect to WIFI. But this post has made me realize this issue is gone for me. Not sure what it was, whether my new modem at home or a software update but its completely gone.

Good luck!
 
Running the 13" TB rMBP base model and my router is an Airport Extreme I purchased last year. No issues with wifi on this new MacBook Pro, nor any issues on an Early 2016 MacBook or a 13" 2013 Air or a 2014 rMBP or even my old Early 2011 MBP. I use an app called Wifi Explorer (in the App store) when I am troubleshooting wifi issues and such for customers. Maybe try it and see what it tells you.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wifi-explorer/id494803304?mt=12
Good luck.
 
"the most infamous wifi bug" is a little over the top, especially when it's a case by case and really only known as an official and infamous bug to you. No one else has even heard of this "the most infamous wifi bug". I've had wifi issues here and there like everyone, but it's never been attributed to the history of Macs. This is what is known as alarmism. Because you had ME freaking out for no reason.
 
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