More Catalina WiFi failures (10.15.2 - Mid 2012 MacBook Pro)

Question

More Catalina WiFi failures (10.15.2 - Mid 2012 MacBook Pro)

I've read about the earlier problems with Catalina and WiFi. But the solutions for those don't solve the problems I'm having with Catalina 10.15.2 on my Mid 2012 MacBook Pro.

I upgraded yesterday on our secure home WiFi network. I have not been able to maintain a reliable public WiFi or WiFi hotspot (to my iPhone) since. Sometimes it will connect after several attempts - often turning WiFi off and on, rebooting, and/or deleting the connection from Network in System Preferences. But when it does connect it won't last. Maybe I get one iMessage or part of the page load of a home page. Then nothing.

Any brilliant ideas? I'm posting this on my work-provided Windows computer because of course the MacBook cannot connect. I never thought I'd be in a situation where Windows was more reliable, but with Catalina that is the case.

MacBook, OS X 10.11

Posted on Dec 15, 2019 4:35 PM

Reply

Answer 1

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Dec 18, 2019 5:08 PM in response to CraigColorado

Hello, CraigColorado.

I was upset to hear that you are having issues maintaining a reliable internet connection on your MacBook Pro and am happy to look into this with you. Was this issue present before updating it to Catalina?

I want to work towards first isolating the cause of the behavior. To do this, there are two initial steps to take. The first is to see if you can maintain an Internet connection when your MacBook Pro is booted into safe mode. Safe mode disables third-party drivers and forces Apple only drivers to operate. If Wi-Fi works without issue while in safe mode, that will tell us that the issue is caused by software or a driver installed on the Mac.

Next, I would like to see if the issue follows you when booted into a test user. If the issue is present in safe mode and in a test user, it may be a hardware issue, and running a hardware self-diagnostic would be a great next step. I'll include instructions for all three of these steps below. Please let me know what you find.

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac

How to use Apple Hardware Test on your Mac

Best Regards.

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Answer 2

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Dec 19, 2019 4:52 PM in response to CraigColorado

Hey, Craig.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I do still think that running the hardware diagnostic is a good idea. At worst, you will be able to rule out hardware as an issue and present this finding to your expert. If a hardware issue is discovered, you'll ahead of the game when you come in.

I did want to make sure to recommend ensuring that your information is backed up before coming into the shop. If this determined to be software related, there is always a chance that a full restoration may be the suggestion of the technician. A Time Machine backup is always a safe bet. Syncing your core information, such as your contacts and photos via iCloud, is also a smart move. I will include links to a couple of support articles below.

Get your Mac ready for service

Set up iCloud on your Mac

Please feel free to keep me in the loop.

Best Regards.

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Answer 3

Dec 18, 2019 5:55 PM in response to chuck_3rd

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Here is what I've learned so far. 1) It did not occur before the upgrade to Catalina on 12/14. It began the next day the first time I tried to access a public WiFi. 2) It occurs under safe mode as well. 3) It occurs with other users on the same MacBook.

In addition, I can now connect via a hotspot (my iPhone) but only if I do all of the following. 1) Set up network preferences not to remember the connection. 2) Between connections, turn off WiFi on the MacBook. 3) Create a new location in Network Preferences and delete the old one. 4) Turn off the personal hotspot on my iPhone. 4) Restart the WiFi on my MacBook. Wait for the "Scanning" icon on my tool bar to stop scanning. 5) Turn on the personal hotspot on the iPhone. At this point I will get the dialog box asking for the password for the hotspot and can connect.

However, the connection does not alway last very long.

I can run a hardware self diagnostic if you think it makes sense. I was planning to take this to my local Mac expert store when I return home to see if they can help.

Craig

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Answer 4

Dec 26, 2019 8:10 AM in response to CarlAVII

Thanks. I am finding no problems back home with my secure WiFi, but will take it to the local Mac store for diagnostics before the next road trip. The Mac is backed up both to time capsule and iCloud automatically, so I am covered there.

Reply

Answer 5

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Dec 26, 2019 9:04 AM in response to CraigColorado

Craig.

This sounds like a solid plan. Let me know if you need anything else and feel free to keep me in the loop.

Best Regards.

Reply

More Catalina WiFi failures (10.15.2 - Mid 2012 MacBook Pro)

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