AirPort Extreme Update 2007-001 Special Report: Loss of Internet connectivity (can connect to router, but no Internet access)

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 12:57 a.m. PT

3 min read

Some users have reported an issue where a wireless connection exists and signal strength is high, but no access to network services exists.

As adapted from our wireless troubleshooting tutorial, some of the following workarounds may be of use with regard to this issue:

Perform a hard reset of your router (including AirPort Base Stations) This is an easy workaround, an is effective in a surprisingly high number of problematic cases where AirPort Base Stations will not appear in the AirPort Admin utility or refuses to allow Internet access.

Instructions for performing a hard reset involves first unplugging your Base Station from power and the active network connection, then following the instructions in the following Knowledge Base documents:

Note that after performing a hard reset you will need to connect your Mac to the Base Station via a wired (Ethernet) connection in order to re-configure it and apply the proper networking configuration via AirPort Admin Utility.

If your third-party router has a reset button, try using it for a similar effect.

Switch channels In some cases (especially when interference is at play) switching channels on your AirPort Base station or third-party router can improve reception weakened by various causes. In order to switch channels on AirPort Base stations, use this process (from Knowledge Base article #166641):

Open AirPort Admin Utility, located in /Applications/Utilities.
Select the appropriate (afflicted) base station and click Configure.
Enter the base station password if necessary.
Click AirPort, and then choose a new channel from the Channel pop-up menu.

Consult your third-party router's manual for information on switching channels. This can usually be accomplished by accessing the router's configuration page -- open a browser and enter the address 192.168.1.1.

Turn AirPort card off then on You may want to try turning your internal AirPort card off then back on if you are having access issues. This can be accomplished through the AirPort menu item, or using Internet Connect (located in the Applications folder)

Reader reports

MacFixIt reader Don writes:

"After downloading the update wireless, I restarted the computer as instructed and couldn't connect to the internet except through direct cable bypassing the wireless router despite concierge Apple Store help, online applecare and ATT help. 'The engineers are working on it' and will get back to me this week. What to do, but wait?

One reader writes:

"I am experiencing major problems connecting to my WiFi here after this update. [...] The bar shows connectivity but I cannot actually open a page. It joins other networks such as the network at the apple store but not my home network."

Index: