Poor AirPort throughput on MacBook Pros linked to Real Player 11

[Published Tuesday, June 10]

For some MacBook Pro users, even though the number of bars in the airport indicator shows the signal is at full strength, the internet connection is very slow and choppy. Since other computers on the same network appear to connect and run just fine, the problem appears to be with the software configuration of the affected computer. As one user, stmidnite, put it:

"Both my Mac Pro and Mac mini connect fine. It seems that my MBP just decides to rebel. Even with every device off, the MBP still has the same issue."

This user went so far as to reinstall his operating system; and, upon installing multiple third-party applications found that Real Player 11 was the cause of his and others' connection problems:

Daniel Montiel:

"It is Real Player. I completely forgot I had installed it over the weekend, and THAT is what killed my connection."

As was the case with the user "stmidnite", this incompatibility with real player seems to only affect MacBook Pro computers, and owners of other Macintosh models have reported successful and fully working airport connections with real player software.

While there are updated versions of Real Player available, if MacBook Pro users experience poor connections, they might try removing Real Player to see if that helps the situation. If users are still experiencing troubled internet connections despite removing Real Player, see our wireless troubleshooting tutorial.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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