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ecardona
ecardona
Visitor III
March 30, 2026
Solved

Intermittent Connectivity Issues with macOS Devices on FortiAP

  • March 30, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 284 views

Hello everyone,

I am currently experiencing an intermittent connectivity issue affecting multiple macOS devices in our environment.

The devices connect successfully to the WiFi network through FortiAP units (mostly model 231K). However, after some time, they suddenly lose network connectivity and internet access, even though they still appear as connected.

From the FortiGate perspective, the affected devices are still visible under the WiFi Clients list, but they are unable to pass traffic properly.

We have already performed extensive troubleshooting, including:

  • Reviewing logs and event records on the FortiGate
  • Opening a ticket in TAC
  • Testing different configuration adjustments on the SSID
  • Modifying FortiAP operational profiles and performance-related settings

Despite all these efforts, the issue persists.

It is also important to highlight that this behavior has been observed across different MacBook models, which suggests it is not hardware-specific.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue with macOS devices on FortiAP? Any recommendations or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

FortiAP 

Best answer by Jean-Philippe_P

Hello again ecardona,

 

I found this solution, can you tell us if it helps, please?

 

Troubleshooting Steps for Intermittent Connectivity Issues with macOS Devices

Based on the information provided, it seems like you've already taken several steps to troubleshoot the issue. Here are some additional recommendations and insights that might help resolve the problem:

 

1. Review Wireless Roaming and RF Design

 

2. Check for Known Issues with macOS

  • macOS Compatibility: Verify if there are any known compatibility issues between macOS versions and FortiAP models. Sometimes, specific macOS updates can introduce connectivity issues.
  • Driver Updates: Ensure that all macOS devices have the latest updates installed, as Apple frequently releases patches that address network-related issues.

 

3. Examine FortiAP Configuration

  • SSID and Security Settings: Double-check the SSID configuration and security settings to ensure they align with best practices for macOS devices.
  • Broadcast Suppression: Review the broadcast suppression settings on the FortiAP. Sometimes, overly aggressive suppression can lead to connectivity issues.

 

4. Network Monitoring and Analysis

  • Packet Sniffing: Use packet sniffing tools to analyze the traffic between the macOS devices and the FortiAP. This can help identify any anomalies or patterns that might be causing the issue.
  • Debugging Tools: Utilize Fortinet's debugging tools to capture detailed logs and identify where the connection is failing. The command diagnose wireless-controller wlac sta_filter <client MAC address> 2 can be useful for this purpose.

 

5. Consult Fortinet Resources

 

Follow-ups and Clarification Questions

  • Firmware Versions: What are the current firmware versions of the FortiGate and FortiAP devices? Have you tried upgrading to the latest stable release?
  • Network Changes: Have there been any recent changes to the network environment, such as new devices or configuration changes, that coincide with the onset of the issue?
  • Impact Assessment: How many macOS devices are affected, and is there any pattern in terms of location or usage that might provide additional clues?

 

If the issue persists, continue working with Fortinet TAC, providing them with detailed logs and any new findings from the above steps.

2 replies

Jean-Philippe_P
Staff & Editor
Jean-Philippe_P
Staff & Editor
April 2, 2026

Hello ecardona, 

 

Thank you for using the Community Forum. I will seek to get you an answer or help. We will reply to this thread with an update as soon as possible. 

Jean-Philippe - Fortinet Community Team
Anthony_E
Staff
Anthony_E
Staff
April 2, 2026

Hello,

 

Could you please check the DHCP configuration for any IP conflicts that might be causing connectivity issues.

 

Regards,

Best Regards
ecardona
ecardonaAuthor
Visitor III
April 2, 2026

Hello Anthony,

 

I wanted to let you know that this review has already been performed on the various Fortigate devices we have managing our wireless networks; however, we haven't found any DHCP-related issues that could be affecting the network.

Jean-Philippe_P
Staff & Editor
Jean-Philippe_PAnswer
Staff & Editor
April 7, 2026

Hello again ecardona,

 

I found this solution, can you tell us if it helps, please?

 

Troubleshooting Steps for Intermittent Connectivity Issues with macOS Devices

Based on the information provided, it seems like you've already taken several steps to troubleshoot the issue. Here are some additional recommendations and insights that might help resolve the problem:

 

1. Review Wireless Roaming and RF Design

 

2. Check for Known Issues with macOS

  • macOS Compatibility: Verify if there are any known compatibility issues between macOS versions and FortiAP models. Sometimes, specific macOS updates can introduce connectivity issues.
  • Driver Updates: Ensure that all macOS devices have the latest updates installed, as Apple frequently releases patches that address network-related issues.

 

3. Examine FortiAP Configuration

  • SSID and Security Settings: Double-check the SSID configuration and security settings to ensure they align with best practices for macOS devices.
  • Broadcast Suppression: Review the broadcast suppression settings on the FortiAP. Sometimes, overly aggressive suppression can lead to connectivity issues.

 

4. Network Monitoring and Analysis

  • Packet Sniffing: Use packet sniffing tools to analyze the traffic between the macOS devices and the FortiAP. This can help identify any anomalies or patterns that might be causing the issue.
  • Debugging Tools: Utilize Fortinet's debugging tools to capture detailed logs and identify where the connection is failing. The command diagnose wireless-controller wlac sta_filter <client MAC address> 2 can be useful for this purpose.

 

5. Consult Fortinet Resources

 

Follow-ups and Clarification Questions

  • Firmware Versions: What are the current firmware versions of the FortiGate and FortiAP devices? Have you tried upgrading to the latest stable release?
  • Network Changes: Have there been any recent changes to the network environment, such as new devices or configuration changes, that coincide with the onset of the issue?
  • Impact Assessment: How many macOS devices are affected, and is there any pattern in terms of location or usage that might provide additional clues?

 

If the issue persists, continue working with Fortinet TAC, providing them with detailed logs and any new findings from the above steps.

Jean-Philippe - Fortinet Community Team
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