XPost: alt.computer.workshop
On 26/06/2023 02:07, Alan Browne wrote:
Yesterday my Wi-Fi on this iMac went off.
No way to connect it to my router.
I could see other (familiar) neighbor's routers.
Fired up iStumbler - usually I'd see a dozen or more local WiFi's over 2 bands. Now only seeing a few at a time.
Did all the usual stuff. The names of the routers would change from
time to time.
Occasionally it would connect to one of my 4 WiFi spots (2 private + 2 guest). No internet traffic.
Reviewed and reset everything.
Removed and restored the WiFi from Preferences.
"Make Service Inactive" - reboot - "Make Service Active".
SMC reset
PRAM reset
Briefly today, one of the guest WiFi's worked for about 10 minutes
before dropping out again.
<sigh>
Took the iMac screen off (this is the slim edge edition - I never
re-sealed it after a disk change, so just removed the packing tape that
was holding the screen on....)
Disconnected and removed the display.
Disconnected the RF connectors, examined them - fine, restored.
Unscrewed the antennas from the edges, examined, cleaned (in case of
metal particles).
Noted that the grounding "fingers" that bond <cough> the backshell to
the display assembly around the main electronics could potentially touch
the antennas. Put Kapton tape in between to make sure there would be no contact when the display "pressed" these in again.
Re-assembled.
Still no Wi-Fi other than a brief burst of 2 or 3 minutes on a guest
access.
Deleted a pile of related files in
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ (per a guide online) and
re-booted.
The behaviour smacks to me of failing WiFi hardware - the intermittency
of known WiFi access points appearing and disappearing.
At first thought the antennas or cables - but they are fine as far as I
can see.
No bluetooth issues - but not sure if it's the same chip. From the h/w config I don't believe so. (Both are Broadcom).
Any ideas appreciated.
I'll try a Safe Mode boot tomorrow evening.
Hello Alan
It seems like you have already performed several troubleshooting steps
to resolve the Wi-Fi issue on your iMac. If the problem persists, here
are a few additional suggestions you can try:
1. Safe Mode: As you mentioned, booting your iMac into Safe Mode is a
good idea. It helps to isolate software conflicts that might be
affecting the Wi-Fi functionality. To boot into Safe Mode, follow these
steps:
- Shut down your iMac.
- Turn on your iMac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo.
- Once in Safe Mode, check if the Wi-Fi connection is stable. If it
works fine, it suggests that a third-party software or extension might
be causing the issue.
2. Create a new network location: Sometimes, creating a new network
location can help resolve network-related problems. Follow these steps:
- Go to System Preferences on your iMac.
- Click on Network.
- Click on the lock icon at the bottom-left corner and enter your administrator password.
- Select Wi-Fi from the left sidebar.
- Click on the "Location" drop-down menu and select "Edit Locations."
- Click on the "+" button to create a new location, give it a name,
and click on "Done."
- Select the newly created location from the drop-down menu and
configure your Wi-Fi settings again.
3. Reset the Wi-Fi module: Resetting the Wi-Fi module can sometimes
resolve hardware-related issues. To do this, you can follow these steps:
- Shut down your iMac.
- Unplug the power cord from your router and modem.
- Wait for a few minutes, then plug them back in and wait for them
to fully restart.
- Turn on your iMac and check if the Wi-Fi connection is working.
4. Contact Apple Support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue,
it's possible that there might be a hardware problem with your iMac's
Wi-Fi module. In such cases, it's recommended to contact Apple Support
or take your iMac to an authorized service provider for further
assistance and possible repairs.
It's worth noting that the intermittent behavior you described, with
known Wi-Fi access points appearing and disappearing, does suggest a
potential hardware issue. Professional diagnosis and repair may be
necessary to resolve the problem effectively.
HTH
--
Good luck! :-D
David
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