improving internet speed with wifi

The issue is not your Internet speed, but the wireless speed of your local network. The two most common reasons for poor network "speed" is lack of sufficient bandwidth and the introduction of wireless noise that is preventing your mini from getting a "clean" wireless connection.

To get an idea of what your mini's connection quality is currently, hold down the option key, and then, select the wireless icon in the macOS menu bar. Then note the following values from the drop-down window:

• Security
• Channel
• RSSI
• Noise
• Tx Rate
• PHY Mode
• MCS Index
• NSS

Noisy (SNR is 10 dBm, and anything less than ~20 dBm is considered noisy) as mentioned, with a decently-strong Wi-Fi signal (-60 dBm) and your 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) at 80 MHz channels isn’t going to compete well against wired Gigabit Ethernet.

You’re getting a little better than half of what a switched Gigabit connection can get you too, Wi-Fi noise and all.

Your AC1000-class router with 2 streams (and lower-end 802.11ac routers usually have fewer streams) at MCS 7 tops out at 650 Mbps.

Go wired, if you can. Otherwise, you’re playing “Mastermind” with your cables and other local devices and grounding and the rest, looking for what’s generating all that noise, as is mentioned.

If you’re in a built-up area with the potential for conflicting Wi-Fi networks, look at what other Wi-Fi networks are active, locally. The Wi-Fi Explorer app is handy for this, though there are other options.

I agree, the 10dB SNR is pretty bad and is the noise level is the biggest culprit. The base noise floor for an 80 MHz wide band at 5 GHz should be in the neighbor hood of around -90 to -95 dBm. Since you are showing a level of -70 dBM, you have a significant noise source. At -60 dBm RSSI, while not great, should still be plenty to get some decent data speeds.

There are many possibilities. First, perhaps you have a defective WiFi module in the Mini or something as simple the tiny cable that connects the receiver on the logic board to the antenna on the bottom of the case may have the ground connection damaged, Having worked in RF for years, I have seen many cases where signal may be good but grounding on the cable causes noise to jump. Even a slightly loose screw can cause such issues. There may even be a baldy soldered, not soldered, or incorrectly seated RFI shield. At 5 GHz it does not take much to screw up a signal.

Another possibility is poorly shielded cables on external USB devices. I would start by disconnecting all external USB devices other than mouse and keyboard and recheck the noise level. If that improves, then connect the USB devices on at a time until the culprit is found and then replace the cable with a high quality shielded USB cable.

There could also be power line intrusion which can be a much more difficult issue to resolve. This could possibly be a culprit since the iPad does not seem to show a problem.

What I would do is first take a look at the USB possibilities. Second, you may want to take the Mini to an Apple Store or an Authorized Apple Service Provider and have it checked out. Do not go to a general PC repair shop,

In that case you’ll need to move your desk and sniff out where the signal is best (RSSI heading from -60 towards -50) and noise is the least (towards-90). You could also try moving the router/rotating or bending it’s antenna in different directions. Good luck!

Could be from high speed USB cables and devices, including display cables.

have a look at > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201542

Try rearranging your setup, so that all of your cables and devices are not in-line with your Mac Mini and Wi-Fi router.

-70 Noise = noisy! What’s around your mini that could be generating it? Try placing the mini is a different position or elsewhere in the room if nothing stands out as obviously noisy.

SReed1 Said:

"improving internet speed with wifi: [...]How do I improve the speeds when on wifi on Mini?"

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To Optimize your Speed:

Upgrade your Router: If things are not meeting you needs, then upgrade to a newer router --one meant for streaming data.

Click on the WiFi icon in the menu bar top right with the Opt key pressed, take a snapshot and post here please.

Additionally, please disconnect the hotspot connection to your mobile, it could be contributing/causing the problem.

+1 to den.thed, if that doesn’t fix, please give us details on your router and how distant it is from your desk.

If this issue is also affecting your mini, via an Ethernet connection, then the issue is the router itself.

To post a snapshot see below