Macbook wifi doesn't work. MacBook Pro and WiFi problems. Do symptoms appear on other Wi-Fi devices?

Unfortunately, the situation when Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless networks stop connecting on a MacBook is, unfortunately, quite common. In most cases the problems are caused software glitches MacBook or network software, but sometimes the reason for the lack of connection is mechanical failure. In this case, module repair is necessary wireless communication Wi-Fi and Bluetooth or their replacement.

Defects in the operation of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on a MacBook usually appear as follows:

There is no network connection on your Mac or the signal is too low.
Connecting to Wi-Fi is only possible in the immediate vicinity of the router.
The signal disappears periodically.
Lost connection after resuming from sleep mode.
There is a wave-like or abrupt drop in data transfer speed via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
The MacBook cannot connect to wireless networks or does not see the network equipment inside at all.

Before you begin repairing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, you must exclude software errors. To do this, it is recommended to reinstall operating system, perhaps after this the problem will disappear. If this does not happen, you will have to conduct thorough testing to identify data transfer problems; special utilities are used for this.

If we talk about the reasons for the physical breakdown of the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module, then most often the component fails due to overheating (if the MacBook is not regularly cleaned) and after liquid ingress (as a result, the contacts oxidize and can close the circuit). If corrosion is detected, you can get by with repairing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules without replacing them with new ones. If the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module fails, it is replaced with a new one. It is often a common case that a Mac has poor reception of wireless network signals, that is, it only works near the router. The repair method is determined by the technician after inspecting the part.

Be that as it may, if you need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules repaired, take your MacBook to a certified service center.

Today, wireless Internet is available in almost any cafe; people also prefer to install routers at home. If the MacBook doesn't see WiFi network, you need to start finding out the cause in order to quickly eliminate it and be in touch again.

If you have other gadgets at hand that catch WiFi, the first thing you need to do is check whether they accept the network. No - there is a problem with the router or connection. Try rebooting the router and reconnecting the cable. If it doesn’t help, call your provider’s support (after checking whether the Internet is paid for), problems may depend on it.

But when other devices catch the network, but your MacBook doesn’t, it means the problem is with the computer, not the router.

Checking settings and software

The problem may be in the laptop settings or outdated software.

Check if all available system updates are installed on your MacBook.
If not installed, install it.
Check the router firmware version, if it is outdated, update (be sure to check the firmware compatibility with installed Mac OS).
Check your WiFi access point settings.
Restart your router.
Reboot your laptop.

If Wi-Fi does not connect after these steps, try resetting the system settings. You can also restore the router itself to factory settings.

Mechanical damage

The MacBook may not be able to connect to the network due to a failed WiFi module or other damage to the board. The module may fail:

after a fall and upon impact;
from liquid ingress;
due to a manufacturing defect;
the contacts came loose or were not connected correctly after disassembly.

It is very rare that a module can be restored; in general, it is easier and cheaper to replace it with a new one. In any case, you will need to disassemble the laptop to determine the problem. Without the skills, you shouldn’t try to sort it out - disassembling a MacBook is quite complicated, trust it to professionals.

If you or someone you know disassembled a laptop, the antennas of the module may have come off. Or it itself was incorrectly installed back. You can check whether the problem is with the antennas by trying to bring the MacBook closer to the router. If at least weak signal appears - the antennas have come off, you need to disassemble and put them back. Continue to handle the device more carefully in the future.

The chipset on the motherboard. This can only be checked in hardware, with professional equipment on hand. Replacement also requires professional skills.

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Let's now look at the main reasons why your MacBook Pro or Air does not connect to WiFi automatically, although this network is familiar to it, i.e. The password is correct, but it still says that the time has expired.

This article is suitable for everyone MacBook models Pro and Air, released in different years. There may be some differences in the architecture or description of the Mac OS version.

Causes of the problem

First of all, you need to determine what the problem is. Various error information will help you choose correct solution.

Update your software

For Mac computer install all available updates.
If you are using a Wi-Fi router third party manufacturer, then check whether the latest version firmware. If an update is available, follow the manufacturer's instructions to install it.
Check that the firmware of the Apple Wi-Fi base station is up to date.

Do the symptoms appear on other Wi-Fi devices?

WITH Wi-Fi problems may be connected due to the network or computers connected to it that are equipped with a Wi-Fi module. If other devices connect to the Internet without problems, then most likely the Wi-Fi router is working.

Ask your question to a specialist

Don’t know how to solve a problem with your gadget and need expert advice?

Checking connections

Certain network problems may be caused by disconnected or weakened cable connections. We check all power cables and Ethernet cables that are connected to the Wi-Fi router. You can solve the problem by checking that the modem and router are turned on, disconnecting and reconnecting Ethernet cables, or replacing damaged cables.

Restarting network devices

Turn off the power to the router or modem for a few seconds, then turn it on again. This way you can solve a number of network problems without taking additional troubleshooting measures.

Checking TCP/IP settings

If the device connects to a Wi-Fi network, but there is no access to the Internet, then you should check the TCP/IP settings. Select the “Network” area in the “ System Settings" and perform the following steps:

Resetting Wi-Fi settings

In most cases full reset Wi-Fi settings allows you to solve the problem. We carry out the algorithm of actions:

Hardware shutdown of the Wi-Fi module

Increase

This will cause the Wi-Fi module to be disabled, which often solves the problem.

Hardware problems

The Wi-Fi module itself often breaks down, and the situation may manifest itself without visible reasons. Wi-Fi problems may be due to the following:

Contact with moisture.
Voltage drop.
Manufacturing defects.

In almost all of the above situations, it is necessary to change the Wi-Fi module. Even if a problem occurs, you need to check Wi-Fi antennas. They very rarely break on their own, since they are very securely placed in the display case and are almost not subject to wear.

If you came to this page, then most likely you also encountered a problem when your MacBook doesn't see Wi-Fi network . At the same time, the Wi-Fi network actually exists, and everyone else around is successfully using it. Why then doesn’t the MacBook find it at all?

I found myself in this situation twice... and each time there was a smart guy who started making fun of MACs in general. “ How so? Such an expensive MacBook, and it can’t even connect to Wi-Fi...”.

Why doesn't MacBook see Wi-Fi network?

Let's understand a little about the theory of wireless networks... Stop! Don't go! I will quickly tell you only what the problem is connected with, and then we will immediately move on to the solution.

Most Wi-Fi routers operate at frequencies in the range of 2.412GHz to 2.484GHz. Wherein given range usually divided into 14 channels. Each channel has its own specific frequency.

So your Wi-Fi router operates at a certain point in time on one channel. Usually in the router settings it is specified Automatic selection channel (at the discretion of the router).

The router itself selects the channel depending on how many third-party Wi-Fi networks are nearby. You're probably already thinking, why am I rambling on here? So, the whole problem lies in the channel (actually in the frequency) why your MacBook does not see the Wi-Fi network.

The thing is that most MacBooks were brought to us under gray schemes from America and Canada. According to overseas standards, the Wi-Fi receiver built into the MacBook does not operate on all frequencies, but only on those that correspond to channels 1 to 11.

Thus, if your router automatically switches to channel 12, 13 or 14, then the MacBook simply will not see this Wi-Fi network.

This fact explains the situation when you successfully used wireless internet on my MacBook, and at one point the network stopped being detected, although other devices still see it.

I hope that you learned at least a little useful information from the two paragraphs above. Let's now move on to solving this problem. To do this, we will need to manually specify any of the first 11 channels in the router settings.

Selecting a Wi-Fi router channel

So, we have already understood the essence of the problem and the way to solve it. Regardless of your router model, follow the steps below to select Wi-Fi channel.

STEP 1 - Take your Wi-Fi router in your hands and turn it upside down. On the bottom side there is a sticker with various information. We are interested in the login/password to access the settings.

Please note the IP address for the Web Configurator. Usually it is the same for all routers: https://192.168.1.1.

STEP 2 - Enter the IP address https://192.168.1.1 V address bar any browser. Since there was no other computer at hand, I used my iPhone.

STEP 3 - A window should appear to entering login and password, which you should have seen on the router sticker. In my case it is admin/1234.

You will have something similar. If the login and password from the sticker do not match, someone could have changed them (for example, the administrator who set up the network).

STEP 4 - The picture may differ depending on your router model, but the meaning remains the same - in the settings you need to find the item with the channel number.

STEP 5 - Having gone into the settings, I discovered that the router works on channel 13. Manually change to any from 1 to 11. I chose 7.

STEP 6 - Click “ Apply” and wait for the router to make changes to the wireless network.

Immediately after the procedure, my MacBook detected a wireless network and successfully connected to it. Many users begin to blame the Wi-Fi router itself and even run to buy a new one.

Others start trying to install new firmware and do completely unnecessary things. Who would stop them? After all, the reason that the MacBook does not find the Wi-Fi network is completely different.

As you already understand, the only limitation that may arise on your way is obtaining a login/password to access the router settings. After all, if you want to use the public Internet, you are unlikely to be able to get that deep. Although, try it, and then write in the comments.

Apple computer owners have been complaining about problems with their computers for several years now. Wi-Fi work. From time to time, Cupertino releases software patches that should eliminate shortcomings. However, Apple developers have not yet been able to completely solve the problem with Wi-Fi. Moreover, judging by the reviews, Wi-Fi malfunctions can be sporadic and appear and then disappear.

In this material we tried to collect several different ways, which may help troubleshoot Wi-Fi issues in macOS Sierra. The latter include:

— disabling Wi-Fi after the computer exits “Sleep Mode”;

— spontaneous disconnections from the Wi-Fi network;

— high ping or simply low speed wireless connection.

Resetting Wi-Fi settings

The problems described above can be solved by fully adjusting the settings. Wi-Fi connections. To do this you need:

Disable completely wireless connection. This can be done in the upper right corner of the desktop or in system settings in the Network section.

Open Finder and use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+Shift+G to navigate to:

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/

In the folder that opens, select the following files:

com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist
com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
NetworkInterfaces.plist
preferences.plist

Move the selected files to the trash or a separately created folder. If problems arise, always return them “to their place.”

Restart your Mac.

After your computer boots up, you can turn on Wi-Fi and connect to wireless network. Also, along with rebooting the Mac, you can also reboot the router.

In most cases, the method described above will resolve Wi-Fi problems on macOS.

Creating a new Wi-Fi network with custom DNS

If the first method does not solve the problem with Wi-Fi, then owners of Apple computers can try to create new Wi-Fi network with custom DNS. To do this you need: