Mid-2015 Macbook pro, dropping Internet connection

[comptalk]

For the last two weeks, my Mid-2015 Macbook pro is dropping it's Internet connection when I go to a certain part of my apt. I know it is not the Internet, as I am right next to my iPad tablet and it works fine. I've removed the network, added it back in, reset the ram, changed to Google' DNS, nothing stops this from happening. I move to another room, works fine.

Any ideas on how to correct? It's becoming a big hastle.

 

[chown33]

It's entirely possible that one radio simply works better than the other. Component age can contribute to this, because the older radio chips aren't as good as newer ones.

It's also possible that something has degraded with the antenna in the MacBook Pro. This can happen if it's ever been repaired, or simply taken apart.


Try the builtin macOS Wireless Diagnostics.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202663#monitor

You should start by moving close enough to the wireless router that it's able to connect. Then start the monitoring, and move away. If the signal drops out, then it should describe why it happened.

There's also a Utilities window where you can see Performance. The signal level shouldn't drop too low.


You might need to configure your router to use a different Wifi channel. Or use the 2.4GHz band instead of the 5GHz band, or vice versa.

 

[comptalk]

It's entirely possible that one radio simply works better than the other. Component age can contribute to this, because the older radio chips aren't as good as newer ones.

It's also possible that something has degraded with the antenna in the MacBook Pro. This can happen if it's ever been repaired, or simply taken apart.


Try the builtin macOS Wireless Diagnostics.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202663#monitor

You should start by moving close enough to the wireless router that it's able to connect. Then start the monitoring, and move away. If the signal drops out, then it should describe why it happened.

There's also a Utilities window where you can see Performance. The signal level shouldn't drop too low.


You might need to configure your router to use a different Wifi channel. Or use the 2.4GHz band instead of the 5GHz band, or vice versa.

I added a mesh network hoping that would help. I am 3 feet away from one of the eeros. No other device on my network continuously drops like this. It has to be the laptop. My ipad and surface work fine in the room, only my MacBook. I was on Fios before switching to Optimum Cable, and had the same issue with two different routers. I don’t know what to do. Some days, I just want to take a hammer to the laptop. According to Eero, it’s on a 5Ghz band.

 

[chown33]

When it's connected, what signal strength does the Wireless Diagnostics show?
What does it show when you move around?

If the problem is that the antenna or radio is malfunctioning, then it should show up in signal strength. Then I recommend taking it in for service, and showing them the poor signal strength.

If the problem really does lie with the antenna or radio, then no amount of Eeros or internet changes is going to matter. The solution would be servicing the radio or antenna.

 

[comptalk]

When it's connected, what signal strength does the Wireless Diagnostics show?
What does it show when you move around?

If the problem is that the antenna or radio is malfunctioning, then it should show up in signal strength. Then I recommend taking it in for service, and showing them the poor signal strength.

If the problem really does lie with the antenna or radio, then no amount of Eeros or internet changes is going to matter. The solution would be servicing the radio or antenna.

I ran the report. Where would the signal strength report be located? For instance, I was in the living room near the Eero, the signal dropped. I am now in the kitchen, and it works fine. WTF?

 

[chown33]

I ran the report. Where would the signal strength report be located? For instance, I was in the living room near the Eero, the signal dropped. I am now in the kitchen, and it works fine. WTF?

Which OS version are you using? The windows and menus of Wireless Diagnostics may differ across versions.

In mine, I open the Utilities window from the Window menu, then click on the Performance icon in the toolbar of the Utilities window.

The graph should show signal and noise levels.

Refer to the link I posted above:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202663

The heading "Use other diagnostics utilities" describes some options.

 

[comptalk]

I'm using 10.14.6. I do not see those options

 

[chown33]

How far do you get?

Do you see a Window menu? If so, what menu-items are in it?
If there's no Window menu, what menus do you see?

Some screenshots of what you see might be helpful.

 

[comptalk]

How far do you get?

Do you see a Window menu? If so, what menu-items are in it?
If there's no Window menu, what menus do you see?

Some screenshots of what you see might be helpful.

I do not see that option in the utility folder. Screen shot attached.

 

[chown33]

I do not see that option in the utility folder. Screen shot attached.

Wireless Diagnostics isn't an app in the Utilities folder. It's an option that you access from the Wifi icon in the menubar.

Go to the link I posted above, and read the directions under the heading "Analyze your wireless environment". Here are the steps in their list.

1. Quit any apps that are open, and connect to your Wi-Fi network, if possible.
2. Press and hold Option (Alt) ⌥ key, then choose Open Wireless Diagnostics from the Wi-Fi status menu
   
   .
3. Enter your administrator name and password when prompted.

This should launch Wireless Diagnostics.

You'll be able to tell it's running because the name in the menubar between the Apple menu and the File menu should say "Wireless Diagnostics". It might say something slightly different, because I don't have a 10.14 Mojave Mac running right now, and things may differ from the latest OS I have running here.

Once you've confirmed you're in Wireless Diagnostics, look under its Window menu. There should be a menu-item named "Utilities", or possibly "Utilities Window". Choose that menu item. A Utilities window should appear.

Next, go back to the web page linked above, and scroll down until you see the heading "Use other diagnostics utilities". Read that section. It describes what you can do with the tool icons in the toolbar of the Utilities window. The "Performance" tool should show a real-time graph of several important values, like signal, noise, signal-to-noise ratio, etc.

Once you have the real-time graphs working, you can move around and watch how things change. If the signal gets too low, it will probably drop out, and I don't know what will happen then.

I suggest that you walk around a bit and see how the signal changes. If it drops out and disconnects, go back to a place where it was able to connect, and reconnect.

You should be able to make screenshots at any time, so you have a record of what happens with signal levels.

If the signal drops out, then make a screenshot at that point, and post it.


If you get stuck or can't find something at any point in the above list of steps, then make a screenshot at that point and post it with an explanation of the problem.