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New Mac Mini Wireless Internet - Slow, Disconnects frequently

Hi all,
I've been doing some research and have read related posts about this, but I thought I'd share my specific situation to see if I could have any light shed on it.

As a long-time happy Mac Mini user, I was excited when I picked up one of the new 2009 mac mini models and ditched my old G4 mini.

My wireless connection on the old mini was never very fast, and I was extremely pleased when I first started up the computer and my internet FLEW! I thought, 'Finally!! I have fast internet!'

It was as fast as it had ever been, just as if it were plugged directly into an ethernet cable.

Well, that lasted only a couple of days. For several months since then, I have frequently been having connection issues. It is consistently slower than it ever was during those first several days, and at times, it is continuously disconnecting and reconnecting.

Needless to say all of this is very frustrating. My connection is to a D-link wireless router with a standard WEP key.
I haven't changed any settings since the internet was blazing fast those first couple of days, and I'm using my Macbook wired to ethernet at the moment, and it is perfectly fine.

Thanks for any insight or to anyone for pointing me in the right direction on this.

Mac Mini (2009), Macbook 1.83 GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on May 12, 2009 7:43 AM

56 replies

djd_oz

Level 1

8 points

Aug 15, 2009 1:14 AM in response to Nathan Edwards1

I too have issues with wifi on my mac mini. It started after 10.5.7 and also, 10.5.8. If I leave my mac mini idle, I am unable to ping the mac mini from other computers. A restart fixes the problem. This is frustrating as I use my mac mini as a media server and I use my iPhone to control using Mobile AirMouse.

GAndrade

Level 1

0 points

Aug 24, 2009 9:25 AM in response to Nathan Edwards1

Hi all

I am having the same issue as most of you. I have a mac mini connected to the internet using a belkin router (n-draft). The connection to the internet keeps dropping even when the icon of the airport is showing three of four bars. I have spoken to apple care today and they reset the internet settings for me. This did not solve the issue. They have said to me that it is interference with other wireless networks (there are at least five others around). They have recommended changing the channel (as suggested by one of you earlier). I know understand that changing the channel means changing the set up of the router rather than something in the mini itself ⚠. They also suggested moving it to other areas in the room or moving the router closer to the mini (not viable in my case).
They explained that the mac mini does not use n and nor can it be upgraded and therefore it has less ability to pick up the signal from the router than a portable computer.
I will change the channel and see if this helps in any way. Good luck to you all.

Aug 24, 2009 9:52 AM in response to GAndrade

You might find these netgear products will solve your problem.

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Gaming-Wireless-N-Networking-WNHDEB111/dp/B00126R3 P6.

This includes two WNHDBE11 wireless-n units, which set up a WPS connection just by pushing a button on each device.

I have my new mac mini connected to one of the units via ethernet cable and my router connected to the second unit via ethernet cable.

The only time I have lost the connection since I installed these is when the power is interrupted in my area.

Before I tried these, I was losing the wireless connection from my mini to my router multiple times each week.

GAndrade

Level 1

0 points

Aug 26, 2009 8:18 AM in response to Nathan Edwards1

Hi all

Thank you for your suggestions. At the moment I have done a few things which seemed to have worked for now. I changed the channel of the router from auto to 1. This seemed to reduce the number of wireless networks available, which I hope means less interference. I also updated the software? on the belkin router. These two changes didn't really improve the connectivity. I then moved the router to the room exactly two floors below the mini, This seemed to sort out the issue. It seems that the signal can travel easier to the mini through floorboards than through the wall. It's been one whole day of great joy and I hope it lasts? I see three bars in the airport rather than four, but the connectivity to the internet has been constant and fast.
I hope this helps somebody with similar issues

biobac

Level 1

0 points

Aug 26, 2009 4:07 PM in response to Nathan Edwards1

................THIS SEEMS TO BE DEVELOP INTO A MAJOR THING..................

As posted earlier mine had issues (incl. Blueetooth) so I had it checked. It's being checked now for 3 weeks. They decided to replace the WiFi card (also harbors the bluetooth), the replacement turned out to be broken right from the beginning. Then when they got the second replacement card they noticed the antenna was most likely faulty, but they don't really know, so they are doing more tests.....AND THE STORY CONTINUES.

Fact is, the new Mac Minis seem to have a bigger, more complicated problem and Apple should start thinking about a solution, doesn't necessarily have to be a recall. My solution was buying my first PC in 6 years (I replace parts I don't like myself for a few $$) and not renewing my Apple account (there's enough for free stuff available by now) once it runs out.

Paea

Level 1

10 points

Feb 23, 2010 11:36 PM in response to Channie

Problem: I have both a mini and a MacBook using same WiFi connection (same router). MacBook screams (14mbps), mini burps (0.5-3mbps). Using "speedtest" to benchmark the Internet speed.

Solution: physically move the mini around. No joke. Seriously, start up speedtest and move your mini around (lift it, tilt it, sideways, upside-down, whatever). You can watch the speed change as you move the mini.

Thanks for the tip, Channie! I thought you were joking... but I guess not! Seems like pointing the logo toward the router is indeed a pretty good strategy. So happy!!!! You rock.

Feb 26, 2010 8:00 AM in response to Nathan Edwards1

I have read this thread with some surprise. Since I had my first G4 Mini in 2005, and with my latest Intel Mini from last year, I have always achieved a rock-solid wireless connection - and here's how to do it.

My first router was a Netgear DG834GT, and my current router is a Netgear DG834N (which has multiple internal antennae) - but the general thrust is applicable to other routers.

My router's security settings are based on WPA-PSK - which you should also choose in the airport drop-down menu.

In the wireless settings pane of your router, find the equivalent of 'wireless station access list'. Turn access control 'on' and then enter the MAC Address of your Mac Mini.

Then, in the equivalent of your router's 'LAN IP Setup' pane, enter the MAC Address and the IP Address of the Airport Card that resides in your Mac Mini. Then tick 'Use Router as DHCP Server'.

Don't forget to 'Turn UPnP On'

Currently, I stream video content from my Intel Mini upstairs to my G4 Mini downstairs on the other side of the house without any issues.

larrynyc

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2010 5:41 PM in response to Nathan Edwards1

I had the same problem. Drove me nuts. People gave me differing suggestions on how to fix it, such as DNS name servers and disabling IPv6, but nothing worked.

After months and months, I finally fixed it. It's the Automatic MTU. Look here: A fix for random, slow, intermittent internet problem

Apr 17, 2010 1:26 PM in response to Nathan Edwards1

I just changed the wireless security settings from WEP to WPA-PSK and my network speeds on my Mac Mini are now better than ever. Before I made the change, my HP Laptop and MacPro were consistently outpacing the Mini while streaming, accessing pages and basically anything else web related. Now it is working great.

Setup:
Old 802.11g D-Link 524 wireless router.
Mac Mini is setup about 30 feet away.

Jul 13, 2010 9:28 PM in response to Nathan Edwards1

Same issue here. Absolutely INFURIATING. Total constipated wireless connection to my Belkin router. It's the 3rd router I've tried. Constant dropped connections (sometimes 5-6 every ten minutes or so). I ran iStumbler, I have 2 other wireless nets on different channels and weak locales. I might as well go 300 baud acoustic coupler. Rumor has it, it's the aluminum body and I'm starting to believe it.
Leopard v10.6.4, 2.26ghz mini, 3gb RAM. I'm about to crush this mini and make it even smaller than it is. I've tried everything I can find. I better submit this, as I'm sure it's disconnected in the time it took me to write this.....

PhilMich

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2010 6:29 PM in response to 1JimmyMac64

I'm on my second Mac Mini due to poor wireless performance. I don't know what's worse- that Apple would use a wireless card with such disappointing range or that they don't even offer an official upgrade for the card. At least iPhone4 users can buy a bumper to fix their antenna issues. I can place my Mac Book Pro, Dell Netbook, or Touch on the same desk as the mini and get flawless internet access. The range of the mini wireless card is a joke.

If this was my only experience with Apple products I would never buy anything from them again.

Aug 16, 2010 9:30 AM in response to Nathan Edwards1

Update... Back to the same old slow speeds. Just ordered an airport Extreme hoping this will fix my speed issues. My Mini is sitting on my DVR just below my plasma tv. Is it possible that these devices are interfering with the wireless signal? My guesthouse computer gets better wireless reception and it's detached in the backyard! I can't believe it.

Aug 19, 2010 9:43 PM in response to Nathan Edwards1

Just configured my new airport extreme and the Mini is now running like it should. Must have been a poor connection between my previous router and the Mini.

Msn312

Level 1

0 points

Jan 15, 2011 4:26 AM in response to Nathan Edwards1

I am a long suffering wifi Mac mini user. my mac mini is one of the originals with intel chip. I have tried everything. I have come to one solution though, this is not a router issue (b,g,n, or anything else out there) this is a hardware issue with the Mac minis, possibly because the wifi and Bluetooth are housed together. although still ridiciouluosly slow given my network speed, if I turn off my Bluetooth in total (not just one device, but the whole functionality on the Mac) my speed goes up significantly. My connection rate is still poor, but speed is improved. I was recently downloading a movie from iTunes (1.5gb), total time with Bluetooth on was +2000hrs (seriously) but as soon as I turned it off it went to 3-hours. Mind you on my PC download time was less than 5 minutes.

I have yet to own a apple product that has not had some wifi issue. Whether it's on an apple router or another manufacturer. usually I can trouble shoot it, but not with the Mini. Plus, I love how apple refuses to acknowledge any issues or other complaints.

Apr 14, 2011 11:50 AM in response to Msn312

MSN312, just want to say a huge thanks! I had no idea it was the bluetooth that was ruining my wifi. I had both an apple wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse. Once the Mac Mini was no longer close to the base station - the wifi was like molasses. I couldn't understand especially since my Macbook Pro is the same proximity from the base station and has no problems. I've since turned bluetooth off and moved back to a USB keyboard and mouse and everything is great again! Thank you!

New Mac Mini Wireless Internet - Slow, Disconnects frequently