Failure. Of both iMacs to connect to wi-fi

[Alwyn]

Our iPads & iPhones are successfully connecting to wi-Fi so router is working. Neither of our iMacs are however. Can anybody suggest why this might be please?

 

[pigoo3]

iF the iPads & iPhones are connecting ok…that would seem to indicate that the your WiFi router is doing fine. Since two iMac's are not connecting that is curious. Since two computers at the same time having an issue would certainly not be something random.

Has anything been done to the iMac's recently?

- Have they been moved to a different location (further from the router)?
- Did both of them have new software installed recently?
- Did both of them have any sort of OS upgrade or update done recently?

It would seem that something must have been done to both iMac's recently…that has to be responsible for the problem.

* Nick

 

[pm-r]

Try using the "Connection Doctor" and it might provide a suggestion for the problem:
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19193?locale=en_CA
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH14945?locale=en_CA
etc.

And wi-fi is enabled I gather…???

 

[dtravis7]

Also if you can, upgrade to 10.10.4. .3 still had the new WiFi stack that Apple ditched in .4 and went back to MDSNResponder. The other one had many WiFi issues for some people.

 

[pm-r]

Also if you can, upgrade to 10.10.4. .3 still had the new WiFi stack that Apple ditched in .4 and went back to MDSNResponder. The other one had many WiFi issues for some people.

Ahhh yes… the Yosemite wifi hassles!!! I keep forgetting about them and avoided them staying with Mavericks 10.9.5.

A good suggestion, but strange as Nick mentioned.

 

[pigoo3]

Updating to the 10.10.4 would be a great place to start.

Gonna be strange if the OP has been:

- Using 10.10.3 for a while…and now the WiFi problem started.
- Or…if the OP just did update to 10.10.4…and this is when the problem started.

What & see what we learn.

- Nick

 

[dtravis7]

I never seemed to have the wifi issues but it did with 10.10.0 take a long time to change networks. My friend has a 2012 MBP and his Wifi went nuts with Yosemite. Slowed down, dropped connection. I am glad apple went back to the old stack.

To the OP, are you still running 10.10.3?

 

[Alwyn]

Thanks everyone. As you see I have installed the update having got wi-fi back by replacing my latest wi-fi router, provided by my ISP, with its predecessor consisting of an ethernet router connected to a Buffalo Air Station.

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks everyone. As you see I have installed the update having got wi-fi back by replacing my latest wi-fi router, provided by my ISP, with its predecessor consisting of an ethernet router connected to a Buffalo Air Station.

So you're saying you updated the iMac's to 10.10.4 and installed a new router from your ISP…and now the problem is solved?

I'm assuming you installed the router first…got the WiFi working on the iMac's…then updated to 10.10.4. If so...sounds like something was "quirky" with the old WiFi setup.

- Nick

 

[Alwyn]

So you're saying you updated the iMac's to 10.10.4 and installed a new router from your ISP…and now the problem is solved?

I'm assuming you installed the router first…got the WiFi working on the iMac's…then updated to 10.10.4. If so...sounds like something was "quirky" with the old WiFi setup.

- Nick

Well actually I disconnected the newest router which is where the problem arose and reinstalled its predecessor which worked, then downloaded 10.10.4.

You may wonder why I changed from the previous setup in the first place. It had been requiring to be turned off and on again too frequently so I ordered a 'free' wifi router from my ISP.

I will probably buy a new wifi router. Any advice on the best would be much appreciated.

 

[pm-r]

I'd be inclined to suggest using one of the latest Airport Express units for a new wifi router.

Very easy to setup and maintain and they provide great performance in my experience.
And Apple recently lowered the price which is a nice bonus.

 

[Alwyn]

I'd be inclined to suggest using one of the latest Airport Express units for a new wifi router.

Very easy to setup and maintain and they provide great performance in my experience.
And Apple recently lowered the price which is a nice bonus.

Thanks for the suggestion. I bought an Airport Express unit on eBay which was advertised as having a DSL connection. There is no DSL port, only an Ethernet port. Have I been misled or do I need something else?

I could connect to existing speed touch router but that rather defeats the purpose of the exercise.

 

[pm-r]

I don't know which AEx model you bought but the ebay seller sure sounds like a good snake oil salesperson!! And maybe a bit of misunderstanding on terminology etc. ;P

Just use a google search if you want more info, like:
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT202192
How Apple AirPort Express Works - HowStuffWorks

 

[Alwyn]

I don't know which AEx model you bought but the ebay seller sure sounds like a good snake oil salesperson!! And maybe a bit of misunderstanding on terminology etc. ;P

Looks like the fault is mine as there is no mention of a DSL connection. 2+ questions:
1. If I buy an Airport Card will that solve the problem and is it easy to fit?
2. Is Airport Utility automatically in the Yosemite OS X and, if so, How do I know if I have Airport Utility v5.5.1 or later?

 

[pm-r]

I don't use Yosemite, but the Airport Utility.app should be in your Utility folder and your Airport Express should show up if connected and powered up when using the application.

If you're running Yosemite, your Mac is new enough that it will already have an Airport Card installed as they all have for many years now.

When running Airport Utility, clicking the "About Airport Utility" under it's name in the menu will tell you what version it is, just like any other all will. Or do a Get Info in the Finder on the Airport Utility application icon.

 

[Alwyn]

I don't use Yosemite, but the Airport Utility.app should be in your Utility folder and your Airport Express should show up if connected and powered up when using the application.

If you're running Yosemite, your Mac is new enough that it will already have an Airport Card installed as they all have for many years now.

When running Airport Utility, clicking the "About Airport Utility" under it's name in the menu will tell you what version it is, just like any other all will. Or do a Get Info in the Finder on the Airport Utility application icon.

I have now found an e-mail from the seller stating that his Airport Express had a dsl connection so I hope to be able to return it.

If so do the latest Airport Express wifi routers have a dsl connection, i.e. include a modem. Also do they only have one ethernet connection. I want to be able to connect my TP link and, if the later models include a dsl, modem and ethernet connection.

Since connecting the Airport Express neither of our wifi printers will work wirelessly although they work via usb.

 

[pm-r]

I have now found an e-mail from the seller stating that his Airport Express had a dsl connection so I hope to be able to return it.

If so do the latest Airport Express wifi routers have a dsl connection, i.e. include a modem. Also do they only have one ethernet connection. I want to be able to connect my TP link and, if the later models include a dsl, modem and ethernet connection.

Since connecting the Airport Express neither of our wifi printers will work wirelessly although they work via usb.

I'm sorry if I sound a bit blunt, but I'm not really understanding what your actual problem is but in all honesty, I don't think you understand how the Airport Express wifi routers actually work nor the difference between the connection methods they use for connecting a DSL or cable modem, or for connecting to an existing Ethernet network.

Maybe read the Airport Express manual for connection options and methods, or post back with a question we can understand.

Reading these may help:
https://www.apple.com/ca/airport-express/specs/
https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANU...irport_express_80211n_2nd_gen_setup_guide.pdf