Got a new router - MBA can't find network

[Trolle]

I changed Internet providers and got a new router.

I signed onto the new network with my 2017 MBP, iPhone 5 and iPhone 4, and a PC.

My wife's Macbook Air (10.12.4) can't see the network. I don't remember how old it is but the system report says:
MacbookAir4,2
Core i5
1,7 GHz

We live in a large building with several apartments. My MBP can see 2 networks with the name Elion (it's a provider in town), one of which is mine, but the MBA can't see any Elion networks.

I don't even know where to start with this problem since all the other machines/phones can see and connect to the network.

 

[Slydude]

First make sure that your Mac is indeed going onto the Internet properly. Go yo a site that you haven'y been to in a while, or a completely new site to make sure you are not using a cached page. Now compare the network settings on the two Macs to make sure they are the same. Be sure to check even the advanced settings. Resolve any discrepancies and see if your wife's Mac connects then.

Does the same thing happen regardless of connection type (wired vs. wireless)?

BTW what modem/router are you using? It almost sounds like address filtering has been turned on somewhere in the setup process.

 

[Ember1205]

Who owns the router? Since you "got a new router" when switching providers, I'm wondering if it's something provided by the carrier. I -never- use their equipment because troubleshooting issues like this is impossible. Additionally, if you use Comcrap, they fix their WIFI SSID to the same one on ALL devices, and anyone with a XFinity account can connect to your device.

 

[chscag]

Additionally, if you use Comcrap, they fix their WIFI SSID to the same one on ALL devices, and anyone with a XFinity account can connect to your device.

This is something we have discussed before regarding Comcast and their XFinity system. It does achieve very fast speeds, however, as Ember pointed out you may be sharing your connection with other than savory users. So beware!

 

[Trolle]

I checked the advanced settings under the Network settings.

Only difference between my own MBP and the MBA are the DNS servers. Mine has 2 listed and a search domain while the MBA has nothing listed.

The server I got is:
http://www.zyxel.com/products_services/LTE-Indoor-Router-IAD-LTE3300-Series/

I am actually renting it so I can easily return it; was just easier.

I did actually change the password on the router as the first thing.

 

[harryb2448]

Did you set up the network again on the Air, including password and setting up the DNS. Try the two listed on your machine and see if there is any jopy. If not try Google's DNS 8.8.8.8

 

[dtravis7]

If no WiFi networks are showing at all on the MBA but 2 or more are showing on your other systems, It makes me think it's an issue with the Airport (WiFi) card in the MBA or the WiFi Antennas in the Air have become disconnected. Did the Air work and use your old router?

What happens if you set the MBA really close to the router? Still nothing? Take it to Starbucks or other place with Free Wifi and see if anything shows up.

 

[Ember1205]

If you go into Network Preferences on the machine that won't connect, does the network actually appear in the list of known SSIDs? If it does, delete it and see what happens.

 

[lclev]

If all the other devices can see and connect to the network - and you say they are - the the obvious issue resides in the Macbook Air.

The fact that the Macbook Air is not seeing any wireless networks including the neighbors makes me wonder if the Airport card has died or needs reset. Here is a link that will walk you through some things to try.

https://macosx.com/threads/howto-re...t-card-settings-in-os-x-10-7-x-10-8-x.321879/

As post explains - my first step would be to reset the NVRAM and go from there with the other suggestions.

Lisa

 

[MacInWin]

Additionally, if you use Comcrap, they fix their WIFI SSID to the same one on ALL devices, and anyone with a XFinity account can connect to your device.

You can opt out of that by contacting Comcast. I did it through a chat, was fairly painless. And the SSID is different for each router, but the network name for the "free to any Xfinity customer" service is standard. That's how I know it's not functioning on my router...it's not there.

 

[Rod]

Sometimes I have found it is easier to simply use Network Preferences to setup a new network on the machine in question. There is no harm in having several setups. Open Network Preferences and go straight to the Assist me button. On the next window click Assistant and go through the steps of setting up a new network connection. Don't overwrite the one you have already, use a new name for the location like eg. Home #2. That way you can always go back to the old settings.

 

[Trolle]

I will try your suggestions later today.

Thanks for all the ideas.

I at first considered that the MBA had reception problems. I sat about 2 feet away from the router and that did not solve the problem. As I am writing this the MBA can see and has a good signal on 3 networks (none of them mine). The MBP can see 4 networks: the same 3 + ours.

So, I am wondering if it is the router that the MBA does not like, which seems so strange to me.

 

[dtravis7]

It could be the new router is using the 5Ghz band and the old router was using 2.4Ghz. I know some routers you can set them for just one or the other and maybe the MBA is having issues at 5Ghz. Just a thought. I will see if I can find a manual on that router and see what features and Bands it has.

Just checked the specs. it's 2.4Ghz only. Drat. Oh well!