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Mac Wireless problem

Hi,
I have two Macs, an iMac and and a MacBook Air, on my local home network using a TP-Link wireless router. For several weeks I have believed that the router has gone bad as both Macs lose their wireless connection frequently. Restarting the Wi-Fi service on the Macs does not usually restore the connection. Rebooting the router usually does.

I upgraded the firmware on the router to the latest available and that did not resolve the problem. It has gone on for several weeks just because I have not gotten around to replacing the router.

Just now I am working online on the iMac and it lost its connection again. Before rebooting the router I pulled out my Droid, which is set to use the local network when I am here, to see if it too was unable to use the local router. Wonder of all wonders, it was connected to the router and I was able to browse the internet on it just fine.

So maybe the issue is with the Macs, and maybe nothing is necessarily wrong, it is just that they don't get along well with the router. I don't know. I do know that I am not about to run out and by a new router when I have at least one device that works fine with it when the two Macs don't.

Any suggestions or thoughts as to what the actual issue might be?

All advice appreciated.

John

I do not know for MAC, but I do know Windows machines do this because the Wireless turns off to save power. Check if you have power management, and then see if you can make Wireless High Performance (or some like setting).

If not that, then a new router may be next. I had to do that as well when moving beyond Windows XP. .... Thinkpads_User

SOLUTION

JonyHolt

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westone

ASKER

I haven't come across or read anything about a "sleep" or power save setting for the wireless card in the Mac, though I have once or twice found it necessary to turn that feature of under Windows.

Since posting here I did read of the possible solution to this issue being to create a new "location" in the OS X wireless network properties. If the problem doesn't improve today as a result, I'll assign permanent addresses and see if that helps.

SOLUTION

Lonbox

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westone

ASKER

So far today, since adding a new wireless "Location" in the Mac OS X networking properties, in addition to the default "Automatic" location, I have not experienced any disconnects. It's a little early yet to call it resolved. I'll let it ride as is for a day or two and see how it goes. And I'll let you know.

Thanks for the suggestions.

goncalogirao

try the change channel suggestion. This usually hapens when cordless phones are near.

westone

ASKER

The location solution greatly improved the issue, but did not eliminate it entirely. The Static IP solution made the issue much worse, with connectivity being lost more often than the original problem.

I am trying the channel solution now, though there are no landlines or radio handsets here. Just a cell phone.

John

Based on your posts thus far, a new router might be your best solution. You might try getting one, explain your objectives, and ask for the ability to return it if it does not work.

With my new(ish) wireless router, I have no issue with cell phones, landlines or other such gear.

.... Thinkpads_User

westone

ASKER

Maybe, but I am not thinking so at this point. Only Apple OS X Lion wireless devices are experiencing this issue. Android and iOS wireless devices are stable.

westone

ASKER

Since setting the wireless router to use a specific channel, instead of "Automatic", the Mac does not connect when waking up. This was not a problem before.

John

>>> the Mac does not connect when waking up <--- And this is true now of all devices (including Adroid) ?

... Thinkpads_User

westone

ASKER

No, just the Macs. Through all of this the Android has had no problem connecting. Nor has the iPod (iOS), as far as I know. That is my son's device, and he would likely register a complaint if there were an issue.

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John

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John

Thank you, and I was pleased to assist. .... Thinkpads_User

westone

ASKER

Update: I never got around to replacing the router after closing this thread. At some point one or more significant updates for OS X came out and were installed, and after that this issue was resolved, no more searching for wireless networks that were already set to be remembered. The Macs and iOS devices now just wake up and are instantly connected to the LAN. Wanted to post this change here in case anyone experiencing the same issue comes across this thread.