poor wifi reception with new M1 Mac mini

I just received my M1 Mac Mini. I was experiencing the same issue. I have 100mbps connection and when did the speediest I was not getting more than 20mbps. At the same time my old mid 2011 Mac mini and latest iPhone, iPads were showing above 110mbps.

After trying a lot of things suggested on internet, I finally came to this thread.

After reading some of the responses, I tried to adjust the direction of my new mini and found that when Back side of the mini (where ports etc. are) is not facing wall and has empty space in front of it or above it, I started getting 116mbps.

I tried with exposing the bottom of mini as well (since someone suggested it), but it didn't help.

I can reproduce the problem with keeping port side of the mini facing a wall ( with less than a foot distance between two) and then problem goes away when port side of the back is not facing the wall but backside front or up.

Why should it matter? Its really inconvinient to place the Mini the way I have to now to get Wifi to work. Now I have to buy a mount or something...

The Wifi Antenna is on the Bottom. Turning on its' side and had better reception.

Just flipped mine over so antenna is now on top, and presto, speed immediately normal. maybe depends on what mini is sitting on. mine was nestled into the square metal frame base of my monitor.

You guys are geniuses! I just flipped it on it side now it works! Why didn't Apple think of that :0

I turned it sideways. Now it works...

Please see my response to HSERC.

I don't know where the antenna is, but in my case it doesn't help to expose the bottom side.

But thanks for the tip because it help test with positioning it different ways.

In my case exposing the back side to have enough empty space in front of it helped (with bottom side at bottom)

Have read the Wifi Antenna is on the Bottom - at least my old circa 2011 MM was. Turning on its' side and had better reception. This is not a solution but only workaround.

i have the same issue, just turn off and then turn on, the network is fine. that's not solution but i don't know the reason why.

Greetings HSERC,

It sounds like your new Mac Mini is having Wi-Fi connection issues. We know how important having a working computer is for you, and you’re in the right place to find a resolution.

Here's a resource that can help:

• Use Wireless Diagnostics on your Mac.

• Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference.

If you need continued assistance, then please reach out to our AppleCare phone support team via this link: Get Support.

Cheers!

I have this same problem, at random, the wifi will just drop and not see any network. Switching it off and on brings the network back, but it is obviously not ideal to have Teams calls cut because your brand new computer does strange things.

For the record, I have another Mac and a windows PC in the same network that never have that problem.

And my M1 mini is connected to a 5Ghz 802.11n signal coming from my 4th Gen AirPort Extreme BaseStation. The router is 20 feet away on the other side of a non-concrete wall, and the door to the room is closed. The mini is showing an MCS Index of 15, and a Tx rate of 300Mbps, which is about as good as it gets for here. No complaint.

I've got the same problem. My new M1 Mac mini is right beside my old imac. I've ran speed tests and it's about half the speed. I also ran the troubleshoot apple wrote below, but it did nothing.

Does anyone know something?

thanks

Yes, exactly the same here. Since getting the new M1Mac mini, wifi reception ranges from OK to non existent. I can place the iPhone next to the Mac and get 75 Mbps whereas 1-2 Mbps on Mac. resetting router sometimes helps but not always. very frustrating.

Yes Same problem. Wifi come and goes, I don't know why. Same big problem with bluetooth connections tio mouse and keyboard

Yes it seems to be working better turning it upside down. Apple Computer are at the TOP of technology !!!