Macbook Pro doesn't like new wifi router

[CAPP0]

Upgraded to FttC Fibre from PlusNet a couple of weeks ago, which entailed a new router. I have multiple devices attached via wifi - phones, ipad, other laptops, Apple TV, Chromecast, printer, Sky, etc - with no issues, but my MBP really doesn't like it.

It's about 4 years old running the latest version of El Capitan. In the past, whenever I logged on, the wireless was instantly connected. Now, however, I have to keep clicking the wifi icon and selecting the network, over and over. It throws a variety of errors, asks for password repeatedly, says "could not join", etc etc. It does eventually connect, sometimes after 10 or more attempts, and then once connected, provided you keep it awake, there are no further issues. Until next time...

It only has one known network stored in the machine (since I recreated the wifi profile, see below).

I also have a MacBook Air, provided by work, which runs Yosemite 10.10.5. That connects fine, first time every time, instant, like the MBP used to. This issue has coincided with the new router, not with moving to El Capitan, I upgraded to that months ago.

I found something on the web which instructed to delete/move 5 files from the /SystemConfiguration/ folder then carry out various other steps, essentially recreating the wifi profile. Did this but if anything it was worse after, so I put it all back as-was.

I might power up the old router, despite it not having an ADSL connection any more, just to see whether the laptop is happy to connect to that network.

Seriously wondering whether to downgrade back to Yosemite, but as I say, it was working fine before. Any suggestions how to cure please? Driving me mad!

[D_T_W]

Not that it's any use, but my year old MBP does the same thing with the shared BT Infinity router in my flat. Works fine with every other wifi network I'm on (work, friends flat etc). Used to drive me mental but it seems to have settled down to doing once or twice a week now from every 5 minutes that it used to do

[gert biggens]

Just as a wildcard idea, try disabling IPv6. That solved my problems with a new router, might be worth a try.

HTH

[FlossyThePig]

I had problems with my netbook, after updating to Windows 10, connecting to the internet via Plusnet wifi. Changing the DNS server settings from the router (192.168...) to the Preferred DNS server: 212.159.13.49, and the Alternate DNS server: 212.159.13.50 solved the problem.

Unfortunately wifi internet didn't work when away from home, so had to revert back then.

At least I know the settings either way now.

iPad, iPhone and windows phone all connect without any problems. My iMac uses ethernet.

[mattley]

Also make sure the 2.4 and 5 GHz networks have different SSIDs.

[Eversleigh]

mattley said:

Also make sure the 2.4 and 5 GHz networks have different SSIDs.

This - happened a few times to me. Just google how to separate out the channels in the settings on the router. You will probably find it becomes quicker also.

[GrumpyTwig]

Try it in safe mode, could be more common things above but had the same with a mac a week or so ago and it turned out to be a particular app that was messing it up.

[CAPP0]

I may have sorted it. First I saw that it kept continuing, and getting an IP address very briefly, then dropping out and trying again. The IPv6 comment above had me hunting; was going to try manually configuring the IPv4 and 6 settings, so I went to the router admin panel for info, and disabled the 5GHz option and the MBP has been happily connecting first time ever since. I didn't instantly see an option for creating 2 separate SSIDs but will check that - for now, it's working, thanks.

ETA - re comments above and below, thanks, I somehow missed those first time I read the replies! Thanks all for the input.

Edited by CAPP0 on Wednesday 29th June 06:59

[megaphone]

Do what has been suggested above. Create two different SSID for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Then connect you MBP to the 5Ghz network , it should be quicker.

[AW10]

A place I used to work at had a DSL modem/wireless access point from the ISP and it had a limit of something like 12 wifi devices at any one time. Tooks us ages to realise what the issue was as different devices had problems at different times.