Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Wireless networking adds a whole new set of potential snags to your troubleshooting chores because of prob-
lems such as interference and device ranges. Here's a list of a few troubleshooting items that you should check
to solve any wireless connectivity problems you're having with MacBook Air:
Make sure Wi-Fi is on.
If you see the Wi-Fi status icon in the menu bar, click it. If you see Wi-Fi: Off, click
Turn Wi-Fi On. If you don't see the Wi-Fi status icon, open System Preferences, click Network, and then click
Wi-Fi. If the Status value is Off, click Turn Wi-Fi On.
Toggle Wi-Fi off and on.
If Wi-Fi has gone a bit haywire, resetting it sometimes helps. Click the Wi-Fi
status icon in the menu bar and click Turn Wi-Fi Off. Click the Wi-Fi status icon again, and then click Turn Wi-
Fi On. Alternatively, open System Preferences, click Network, click Wi-Fi, and then click Turn Wi-Fi On.
Reestablish the connection.
If Wi-Fi is on, check the Wi-Fi status icon. If you see gray bars instead of black
bars, it means that MacBook Air isn't currently connected to any network. Click the Wi-Fi icon and then click
the network you want to use. If you don't see the Wi-Fi status icon, open System Preferences, click Network,
and then click Wi-Fi. Click the Network Name pop-up and click the network you want to join.
Renew the lease.
When you connect to a wireless network, the access point gives MacBook Air a Dynamic
Host Control Protocol (DHCP) lease that allows it to access the network. You can often solve connectivity prob-
lems by renewing that lease. Open System Preferences, click Network, click Wi-Fi, and then click Advanced.
Click the TCP/IP tab, as shown in Figure 13.3, and then click Renew DHCP Lease. Wait until you see a new
value in the IPv4 Address field, and then click OK.
Reboot and power cycle devices.
Reset your hardware by performing the following tasks, in order: Restart
MacBook Air; power cycle the wireless access point; and power cycle the broadband modem.
Look for interference.
Devices that use the 2.4 GHz radio frequency (RF) band, such as baby monitors and
cordless phones, can play havoc with wireless signals. Try either moving or turning off such devices if they're
near MacBook Air or the wireless access point.
13.3
In the advanced Wi-Fi settings, click Renew DHCP Lease to get a fresh lease on (wireless network) life.
