Wifi keeps dropping on my MBP 13"

[furcalchick]

I'm running on a 2014 MBP 13" (the last one that has a CD/DVD drive installed). For a while, I've been having a Wifi issue, where the signal seems to drop off every 5 minutes or so, but usually comes back up within 15 seconds and the connection goes on as normal until it goes down again a few minutes later. It's not happening all the time, but it seems to be happening more frequently as of late and over longer periods (like several hours every few days), but is stable for most of the rest of the time. It's not really an issue until I'm streaming video or audio on the computer, where it keeps freezing the video and I have to start it over again, which means spending an hour on a 20 minute video for example because of the frequent stops and starts.

There's usually about a dozen devices connected to the Wifi network at any one time, and it runs about 25 MB/s download, about 3 MB/s uploading. Some other devices (phones, tablets, other computers) seem to have hiccups in connecting to the network at times, but usually not the same time as my computer. Side note, this happens on my late 2006 Macbook as well.

I'm hoping someone can give me an answer soon, as I'm not getting one via internet searches. Thank you.

(Note to mods: If this thread is in the wrong location, feel free to move it.)

 

[Fishrrman]

Just wondering -- when this happens, do you have any USB3 devices plugged into the left side?
Or... does it make no difference?

 

[Marc_S]

Do you have a Linksys router? Been well know for a few years that Mac’s and Linksys routers don’t like each other and have this issue. If it’s not a Linksys then sorry but I’ve no idea.

 

[mikzn]

I had something like this happen a while ago and I think it was one of my devices having the same IP as one of the others - I had to shut everything down - even my phones and iPads and then started the router and ATV first, then printer, then everything else

No sure what it was but I had a feeling it was something to do with the printer IP and the printer sleeping and coming back on

just throwing that out there

 

[jerryk]

If other devices are having issues my money is on the network, not on a specific device. The 25 Mb/sec you have is pretty minimal for streaming with other devices online. The freezing while steaming sound like your network is unable to deliver content fast enough. If you have all these other devices downloading, or otherwise use bandwidth at the same time steaming application may not get the data it needs and stalls.

And this can be worse if you have nearby other wifi access points/routers from neighbors or people using their phone as wifi hotspots.

 

[furcalchick]

Just wondering -- when this happens, do you have any USB3 devices plugged into the left side?
Or... does it make no difference?

I usually have one external hard drive for time machine plugged in. But it's happened without it being in.
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Do you have a Linksys router? Been well know for a few years that Mac’s and Linksys routers don’t like each other and have this issue. If it’s not a Linksys then sorry but I’ve no idea.

Don't think so, it's one provided by ATT.

 

[utgjon]

Could be an overload of devices on the 2.4GHz band - in your router settings, separate the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands into separate wifi connections, then try connecting to the 5GHz. Might help?

 

[Fishrrman]

If you take the MacBook to -somewhere else- that has wifi (coffee shop, etc.) will it still drop out at regular intervals?
Or... does the wifi then work "as it should"?

If the wifi works fine elsewhere, then it sounds like a problem with the ATT residential gateway (settings?) or something else about how your wifi is set up.

Rereading your original post, I see:
"Some other devices (phones, tablets, other computers) seem to have hiccups in connecting to the network at times, but usually not the same time as my computer. Side note, this happens on my late 2006 Macbook as well."

Well, if it's happening on your OTHER MacBook as well, then I don't think there's anything wrong with the NEW MBPro.

It sounds like something in the:
- residential gateway
- residential gateway settings.
I would pay particular attention to the wifi channels you're using.
The advice given previously about 2.4ghz v. 5ghz is good, too.

Have you given any thought to getting a "standalone" wireless device, that will provide wireless -instead of- putting it out via the residential gateway?

I'm thinking one of the new "mesh" type systems.
How many "units" you get depends on the square footage and layout of your home. (they come in one, two, three unit configurations).
I have the Linksys Velop myself. Works well.
Also look at Netgear Orbi, eero, google wifi, Ubiquiti "Ampfli"...