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Why can't I get a stable connection to servers while downloading (using ethernet or wifi)?

Dear Mac User,


I've run into a strange network issue, which is something I've never experienced during my 30 years as a Mac user.


I noticed the issue shortly after the reinstallation of one my MacBook Pros. I experienced a system crash due to a Apple security update for 10.13.6. (What happened there, Apple?) Due to the collection of software packages on this particular Mac I reinstalled Mac OS 10.13.6 (High Sierra). I can confirm that every software program used on this Mac worked perfectly before the reinstallation. During the reinstallation no new or additional software was added.


Most software packages I already had downloaded and saved for the Mac OS 10.13.6 version. But not Adobe's Creative Cloud (and Photoshop). These software packages I had to reinstall via the Adobe server.

That turned out to be troublesome. I ended every attempt to download Photoshop with the dreaded 113 error code: Error code 113 indicates that the device is not able to connect to Adobe servers, or that the firewall settings on the device are interfering with the installation process.


The problem is that I don't have a firewall or an anti-virus software enabled.


Then the troubleshooting started:


I checked with my network provider for any possible issues that might cause download problems, but

they couldn't find anything wrong with my internet connection. I’ve also tested downloading though my

cell phone connection (hot spot, different provider). Same issues.


I’ve tested the download using a physical cable connected to the router. I’ve even tested connecting directly to the antenna, bypassing the router (and wifi) all together. Generally my internet connection works just fine. It's just during the downloading of large files I seem to have issues.


I have checked proxies and I've tried to install Photoshop via root access. The Adobe tech specialist helped me test the latter via a remote access of the machine. No luck.


I’ve now tested installing Creative Cloud and Photoshop on one of my audio production computers,

a MacBook Pro 2018 with Mac OS 10.14.6 to check if it's the actual hardware is at fault. The result is the same. Error code 113. I can't connect to the Adobe servers. I'm able to download some of the file (10-35%) before the connection crashes.


I've tried restarting, zapping the PRAMS, checked cables, adjusting DNS, deleted the network, well, I've tried every possible tip and info I've come across online so far, but without any luck.


And now I've discovered that the issue isn't related to Adobe only. My (rather large) updates for Microsoft Office 16 behaves exactly the same. Here I get a different behavior and respons from the system, but it's probably due to the same issue. Some of the file is downloaded, after a certain point the download halts and I have to break off the download (eventually).


When I think back a few days I experienced a network issue on my main production rig also (Mac Pro 6.1 running Mojave OS). Large files (plugins from a US server) just halts after a while. Smaller file sizes seem to work just fine.


What do you think causes these issues? Where can I continue to troubleshoot?


I appreciate any tips on where I can search for solutions. This issue is driving me nuts. I can't seem to isolate a particualar cause for the issues I'm having. I can't see that the network as a whole has changed much the last few years, but now it's causing me real problems:


The same issue occurs on two different Mac OS's, three different Macs and two alternative networks. Besides the download issues everything else using the internet connection seems to work just fine.


Thank you for your help!


Best wishes,

Terje


MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 29, 2021 12:23 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 29, 2021 2:50 PM

Hello Terje, great work so far...


Couple of things to try...


Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...


System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.


System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.


The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.


Sys Prefs>Network>highlight the Interface you're using>Advanced>TCP/IP>Configure IPv4: Using DHCP.


If using Wifi, instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.


System Preferences>Network>choose interface>Advanced>Proxies Tab, make sure none are set, like for HTTP & HTTPS.


System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...


8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

1.1.1.1

9.9.9.9


Apply


Try installing in Safe mode...


Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes.

Similar questions

10 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 29, 2021 2:50 PM in response to tanderi

Hello Terje, great work so far...


Couple of things to try...


Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...


System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.


System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.


The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.


Sys Prefs>Network>highlight the Interface you're using>Advanced>TCP/IP>Configure IPv4: Using DHCP.


If using Wifi, instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.


System Preferences>Network>choose interface>Advanced>Proxies Tab, make sure none are set, like for HTTP & HTTPS.


System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...


8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

1.1.1.1

9.9.9.9


Apply


Try installing in Safe mode...


Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes.

Apr 30, 2021 9:35 AM in response to tanderi

Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes.


Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches & loads safe Drivers, & prevents loading of 3rd party extensions, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.


EtreCheck is a FREE simple little diagnostic tool to display the important details of your system configuration and allow you to copy that information to the Clipboard. It is meant to be used with Apple Support Communities to help people help you with your Mac. It will not display any personal info.

https://www.etrecheck.com/


Pastebin is a good place to paste the whole report if you capture the URL while there…

https://pastebin.com/

Whew, they've changed pastebin & made it harder, but after pasting in, click Create new paste button, then Embed button, then copy the URL...

<script src="https://pastebin.com/embed_js/KuvnghqA"></script>


The important part of the above is...


https://pastebin.com/embed_js/KuvnghqA


Workable but harder for me to work with...the Note tool on the bottom of this editor's toolbar, as shown in the image, to copy and paste the output from EtreCheck. In a Reply before you click post, look for this to add longer texts...

Apr 30, 2021 4:50 AM in response to BDAqua

Dear BDAgua,


The testing is done. Your suggetions worked like a charm. Thank you! I managed to download the update for Microsoft Office 16 without any issues. But only when in safe mode. When I tried the same download after a regular start up I got the same download issues again, both for the Microsoft download (that I succeeded with in safe mode) and CC + Photoshop download.


I wasn't able to test the Adobe download in safe mode because Creative Cloud was disabled during start up (I presume). Does this mean that I have some sort of conflicting software installed? I mean, it's not very practical to go through all this steps every time I need to download a large file.


Is there a more practical way around this issue, I wonder? And why do I suddenly experience this as a problem now? If you have any kind of info to share I appreciate your input? Thank you!


Best wishes,

Terje

May 1, 2021 3:03 AM in response to BDAqua

Hi BDAgua,


I've followed your suggestion and run a EtreCheck test. Hopefully I've managed to upload the report to the following location: https://pastebin.com/embed/qXT6k5jB


I've done another test trying to download the Microsoft Word update again (in Safe Mode), but this time I didn't succeed with the download. Bummer! I can't seem to find a particular factor for when it's working or not. I'm checking again with my network provider to see if I can get some input from them.


I don't expect you to spend time on this issue, my friend! I really appreciate your input so far. But if you see any trace of a possible solution in the EtreCheck report please let me know. Thank you for taking the time and for sharing your knowledge.


Best wishes,

Terje

May 2, 2021 1:51 AM in response to BDAqua

Hello BDAgua,


You seem worried about the memory issue. I'll have a closer look into that. Yesterday a friend visited. He managed to use his cell phone to download the Photoshop file. And today I managed just fine to download another problematic file through hot spot using my cell phone. I suspect that I didn't get the earlier hot spot test correct. When the ethernet cable was plugged in I noticed that the computer chose the ethernet connection instead of the hotspot/cell phone connection. When I removed the physical cable connection I got to download just fine via hotspot. I believe I have a network provider issue and that it's not the computer itself that causes the download issues. I'll have to wait until tomorrow before I can do more tests. I'll let you know how it goes. Again, thank you for your input and for taking time.


Best wishes,

Terje

May 2, 2021 2:34 PM in response to tanderi

Ah, thanks the cure for that is separate Locations...


Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...


System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.


System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.


The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.


Sys Prefs>Network>highlight the Interface you're using>Advanced>TCP/IP>Configure IPv4: Using DHCP.


If using Wifi, instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.


System Preferences>Network>choose interface>Advanced>Proxies Tab, make sure none are set, like for HTTP & HTTPS.


System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...




8.8.8.8


8.8.4.4


1.1.1.1


9.9.9.9


Apply.

Why can't I get a stable connection to servers while downloading (using ethernet or wifi)?

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