For the last few months, I have been having intermittent problems accessing my wireless network with my early model MacBook Pro 2.0 GHz laptop. The problem began soon after applying the 10.5.3 system update so I thought it was software. There were some connectivity issues with that update. Often, I could connect to my wireless network for several hours and then lose the connection after I put the machine to sleep. Often, the Airport menu would show no networks and the top line would say “Airport: Scanning…” Sometimes, I would get a dialog box asking to join a new network. My home network would be displayed and I could select it but the connection would time out.
I lived with this problem for several months. Usually I work at my desk where I use several external drives so it was no problem to plug into a wired network. After I got my iPhone I would often couch surf with it. Hot Wife had no connectivity problems with her work MacBook Pro and the iPhone connected just fine as well. I closely followed some advice on MacFixIt but was unable to solve the problem by deleting and reinstalling network connections, deleting plist files and other voodoo.
A few weeks ago, I bought a 230GB hard drive to replace my cramped 100GB OEM drive. When I was in the machine, I double checked the antenna connection to internal airport and reseated it just in case. I still had the connection problems. Finally, I did an archive and install of 10.5 and for a few hours, I thought the problem was gone. However, later that day, the wireless connection dropped and could not be restored. As a final check I used the shotgun approach and tried everything: I swapped out to different Airport Express Base Station and played with its settings. I upgraded the firmware on my Linksys wired router. Finally, I did a clean install of Mac OS 10.5 on a USB drive and the problem persisted. The problem had to be hardware.
Since Hot Wife are going to be sharing a computer with me for a while after her job change next month, I needed to have a computer that was more lap friendly. So on Friday, I took my AppleCare protected investment to the Apple Store. I told the soul-patch sporting Mac Genius I was having wireless connectivity issues and that it was consistent between different user accounts and OS versions and he gravely shook my hand and said “You’ve done all my troubleshooting for me. It’s hardware.” He said it was probably a loose antenna cable but they would order a new Airport card as well. I didn’t tell him that I had already checked the cable. While we were talking, we both noticed that the signal strength in the Apple Store was fluctuating from 5 bars to 1. I think they have a pretty strong signal in that store. There was no way it should have been fluctuating like that.
So I gave the machine up Friday night and they called me back this evening said that although they couldn’t duplicate the problem (I guess it never totally died like it does at my house where the wireless network is much simpler than at the Apple Store), they replaced the Airport Card anyway. I took the Girl Child to store and picked up a new laptop battery as well so Hot Wife could have more than 15 minutes unplugged time.
It’s been working great for the last few hours. It’s nice to take over the dining room table again. The moral of the story is that when you eliminate or reduce the likelihood of a software problem, start looking at the hardware.
Update: 9/9/08. After a few more hours of working great, my MacBook Pro is back to intermittent failed connections to Airport. The signal strength seems a bit stronger and I am seeing more of my neighbor’s networks but connecting to my Airport Express or a borrowed Linksys router usually times out or just stays on scanning. It’s quite frustrating and it looks like it will be time to go back to the Apple Store for more repairs.
Update: 10/6/08. I took the MacBook Pro back to the genius bar at the Apple Store and turned it for service again. After four days, I got the machine back and the wireless is working great. They replaced the wireless 802.11 antenna which in the 2.0 GHz MBP is located on the back of the machine between the hinges under the gray plastic cover. If you are having this intermittent problem, I could be a broken antenna. The part is available for $29.95 at iFixit, but they list the repair as “very difficult (requires disassembling almost all of the computer. Not recommended for non-professionals).
Since the repair, my MBP has been working great. It’s so nice not to be tied to the ethernet port on my desk.
20 responses so far ↓
1 Mike // Oct 7, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hey,
I’ve been searching for a while and seem to have a very similar situation to yours. I initially had the intermittent dropping of networks, but after a few days my signal strength went down considerably. I replaced the airport card, and the problem was solved for about 3 hours. I’ve noticed that I no longer am dropped from networks, but can only connect to the router (Airport Extreme) if I am within about 5 or 6 feet. I’m in the process of getting a new antennae now… its good to hear I am not alone..
Mike
2 justin // Oct 8, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I have the same thing happening to me. Couple of days ago I could no longer get any signal on my basestation unless I was sitting right next to it. My girlfriend’s laptop sitting right next to mine gets 5 bars, where I get 1 or none.
Going to have to figure out a back up machine while I take it in.
3 LenaMaria // Oct 17, 2008 at 12:19 am
I’m having the same problem. My signal strenght goes up and down on my Macbook, but on my iMac (and my husbands iMac) everything is OK. I’ve done the voodoo-part, reinstalled, even had my AirPort-card replaced, but no luck. Jumps between 48%-28% while the iMac is at 52%-48%.
4 Ben // Nov 4, 2008 at 5:26 am
Whoa, thats quite a bone you just threw me I think! I have intermittent problem too: 3secs on full bars, 3secs none, then back to full for 3 secs, etc. This just started the other day.
So on the notion that there might be a broken [or breaking] connection in the antenna circuit, as you mention above, which may be routed through the screen hinge, I did a little experiment with the screen position. While connection was cycling on/off, I moved the screen back and forwards slowly. I noticed that I could get the full signal at some positions, if left still, and then in others it would go all fickle again. I moved it to the back, [most open] position and connection stays at full strength. If I pull screen towards me [closing], even slightly, I get on/off connection again.
So, my first google click brought me here and I’d say 99% this is the problem. not bad at all! and all within 5 minutes! Thankyou thankyou thankyou! I was so dreading the hours of trawling forums, and instructions for replacing airport cards…
Fingers crossed I still have applecare somewhere!
Thanks again for posting. Very helpfull.
[Mackbook Pro 17in 2.4ghz]
5 Paul // Jan 25, 2009 at 1:21 am
I’m also having a lot of trouble maintaining a connection on my Macbook Pro, (though I’m pretty sure it got a LOT worse with Leopard).
I’m curious. How’s the computer now after 3 months? Is the wireless still fixed? Did replacing the antenna really fix everything?
6 Monica // Jan 25, 2009 at 1:59 pm
It seems that the broken antenna wouldn’t be the problem because when I run Vista on my machine, it has no problems what so ever with connectivity. It’s only when I’m in OS X Leopard…
7 Bev // Mar 19, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Macbook Pro late 2008 10.5.6
Wireless doesn’t connect automatically, – have to select my network each time even though network preferences are set to automatic. Once connected it stays connected but when computer is shut down it requires manually selecting my network in Airport.
Any resolutions?
8 Chad // Apr 6, 2009 at 8:03 am
I can’t get the CIOs mac to connect to my Cisco 1250. All windows laptops work just fine. Airport sees the ssid but wont get a ip from dhcp. Help. I love this 1250 but becasue the cios laptop (the only mac) wont connect, he’s suggestign I return it and replace). seems backwards but if I can get a solution I can avoid that pain altogether.
9 Chris // Apr 19, 2009 at 8:33 am
My 1.8GHz MBP wireless just started dropping Friday. One site suggested cleaning out preferred networks, which did not work. My wireless starts dropping after the machine has been on a while. If I restart, the wireless will be one briefly and then cut out. After it is off overnight, it seems to work fine. This mornig, I moved my laptop to a cooler place that has a laptop stand and fan, and it quickly regained a signal. I wonder if the heat of the laptop combined with old hardware might be causing, or at least, impacting this problem.
10 Justin Cohen // May 5, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Thank you for the detailed description of your troubleshooting and resolution. My 2 Ghz Macbook Pro has the same symptoms. I’m going to ask Apple to replace the antenna.
11 Jim Warnock // Jun 7, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Thanks to all of you for your detailed accounts– they describe exactly the problems I have experienced with my new MBP purchased last week. After dealing with the dealer tech support on day one of my purchase I returned to the dealer for a new machine and the same malady persisted. Particularly maddening since the wireless performance on my old MacBook (black) was flawless. I’m heading back to the authorized Apple dealer tomorrow. Your insights have been very helpful, particularly about the antenna. Is this a major hardware defect that warrants a recall???
12 Jim // Jun 27, 2009 at 8:16 am
Wow! Been thinking of going Macbook Pro, but after seeing all the apparent wireless problems, I’m not sure.
Seems if I have to spend so much time troubleshooting problems, I might as well stick with my Windows POC.
Any upbeat encouragement out there??
13 Dave // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I have an early 15″ Macbook Pro 2.16 GH Intel Core Duo, 2 GB 667 MH DDR2 SDRAM, 7200 RPM Hard Drive. I started having connectivity problems right after a software update like many others. I have tried every fix except hardware fixes. I am now in need of a new second laptop but I am afraid if I spend another $3400 like I did on this one I’ll get screwed again. I love OSX but I’m not going to deal with this again on such an expensive laptop.
I feel Apple has let us down on this big time and I have lost the cult-like zeal I used to have about Apple and it’s products.
14 Lisa // Sep 24, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Wow, thanks for posting this. I’ve been having similar problems with my Macbook Pro for several months now. Genius Dad took it apart and put it back together again, on the off chance that the connections had come slightly loose. It actually worked for about 3 days before producing the same symptoms again. No such luck when he tried the same thing one more time. Looks like a new antenna could be a solution!
15 Jonathan // Nov 19, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I think this is exactly what I have been looking for the past few days. I, like you, have tried every voodoo trick I could find via Google, all to no avail. Thanks for suggesting the idea that it could be the antenna; never would have thought of that (thought I did consider the card perhaps).
16 Suchir // Mar 9, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Here is the solution to your problems. I had the same issues (with my MBP preordered before it even came out years ago). The following steps will reset your mac’s PRAM. I don’t know what PRAM is, but it won’t do anything to your computer (such as erase harddrive, or wipe something else out). I just did it and my connection issues are fixed. My computer is back to normal with all of my files intact.
1. Click the Apple button on the top left hand corner of your screen
2. Click “System Preferences”
3. Click “Network”
4. Click the drop down menu “Show:” and go down to “Network Port Configurations”
5. Click the Port Configuration “Airport” (make sure the box is checked), and drag “Airport” to the top of the list
6. Click “Apply Now” at the bottom of the window
7. Close out of the window, and shut down computer
8. THIS IS THE LAST AND MOST IMPORTANT STEP: Turn on computer, and immediately press and hold “Command (Apple Key)”, “Option,” “p,” and “r.” Hold these four buttons until you hear the turn on sound TWICE. The screen will turn gray like it normally does when you turn on the computer, make the first sound, then turn black again, then turn gray and make the second sound. The apple logo will come up again and you can let go.
9. Log in like normal and you will no longer have any problems.
17 monique // Apr 9, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I installed the update and sure enough like the rest of you I’m having the same antenna problem. I’m a true die hard MAC lover, but it seems Apple needs to fix this issue.
18 ThomasF // Apr 18, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Let’s see who has what problems to make sure it’s not the manufacture of the card: Got to the apple icon (top left), go to about this mac, click on more info, left side CONTENTS click on AirPort under network and see what Firware version you have and log the info on this website. I’m wondering if the Atheros is the issue here. From there we may get a solution with detailed information.
19 Care Taker // Jun 14, 2010 at 9:56 am
I can’t believe Apple has let this go as long as it has!!!! FIX IT!
Wireless Card Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.38.27)
20 Carl // Jun 15, 2010 at 1:45 pm
I had the same issues, going back just as far, with my Macbook. I’m convinced it was a OS issue since I had NO connectivity issues when running Vista. After installing Snow Leopard, the problem has vanished, and I can use my Macbook in OSX again.
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