Level 1

19 points

Super slow wifi on Mac mini M1

Seems to be a recurring problem, is there a fix? Can't believe a brand like Apple could have such blatant problems.

I have a high speed 5G internet connection. But in my study, my Mac mini M1 (OS 12.3) drops to between 5 to 30 Mbps, which constant and huge variations.

If I put my MacBook Air right next to it, or my phone, I get 5 times that amount. Again, exactly in the same place. The problem is not the router, the distance, it's the Mac mini 1. See picture (and I was lucky to get 32 on the Mini, it's usually lower).

What's going on? Is there a fix? I don't have to have a Mac in my study so am very close to selling for something that works.

Posted on May 31, 2022 1:31 AM

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hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Posted on May 31, 2022 3:47 AM

It’s measuring a weak signal (RSSI -85), should be 60 or less. My guess is interference from the monitor. Try moving it further? Or move the desk to another area in the room (just for testing).

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jbcortes Author

Level 1

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May 31, 2022 4:13 AM in response to hcsitas

It is my own router. I don't have fiber and needed a good connection, so I just bought it, it's a 5G router.

But if it's the router, why are the MacBook Air and iPhone in the exact same location as the Mini (and I mean, the EXACT same location) showing more than a 100Mbps download speed, when the Mini averages 10?

Thanks anyway for your help.

jbcortes Author

Level 1

19 points

May 31, 2022 6:26 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thanks. What I can't understand is why the MacBook Air and the iPhone, in the same location, are consistently 3 to 5 times faster.

The low signal itself is not a problem, it's normal since I'm far from the router. In the other room I have 500Mbps. In my study around 60-100 with the MacBook Air and iPhone, and 10-30 with the Mini.

I just did a video call from my desk (where the Mini sits) from the MacBook Air. No problem at all. From the Mini, it wouldn't have worked, yet they are next to each other. There's a problem with the Mini. This is the inconsistency I'm trying to solve. Yes I could add a repeater, but wouldn't need to if the Mini worked as it should.

Or is it that the Mini, being relatively cheap, has a s**t wifi, and IS working as it should?

Jun 22, 2022 8:08 AM in response to hcsitas

If you use a search engine and search for this problem, you'll find this thread and numerous others in this community, along with numerous postings on reddit and other places with the same problem going back for at least 4 years. All this suggests it's not a service issue or else there should have been a recall with so many problems.

Not a helpful response at all.

Jun 22, 2022 8:25 AM in response to hcsitas

Sorry I offended you, but your answer about speculation and service doesn't match up with all the people who are having this problem, with numerous questions in this Apple Community. When numerous fairly technical folks have documented the testing and changes they have done, it's not a helpful answer.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=slow+wifi+for+mac+mini

Jun 22, 2022 12:57 PM in response to hcsitas

So has anyone tried an external 3rd party USB wi-fi gain antenna? Across all the various discussion in this Community about the poor performance and/or interference with Apple's built-in antenna, I haven't come across this as a possible solution yet. I just used my last external antenna to fix a problem for someone else, haven't ordered a spare yet.

Thanks, M

Jun 22, 2022 1:27 PM in response to jbcortes

Well, I'm using a new TPLink AX 1800 WiFi 6 router with and without a mesh extender 10 ft away, so my local signal is good. This is why I borrowed a mini before laying out $ 1100 for a 16G Ram new model. So far I'm underwhelmed by the Mini. Thanks for the response. M

jbcortes Author

Level 1

19 points

May 31, 2022 3:43 AM in response to hcsitas

jbcortes Author

Level 1

19 points

May 31, 2022 3:46 AM in response to jbcortes

Same screenshot from my MacBook Air from the exact same location as the Mac mini. Much faster speed.

jbcortes Author

Level 1

19 points

May 31, 2022 4:05 AM in response to hcsitas

False hope. I'm down to 9 Mbps again. It's not the screen (otherwise I suppose it would impact the MacBook Air too when next to it). It's a software issue somewhere.

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

May 31, 2022 4:05 AM in response to jbcortes

👍

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

May 31, 2022 8:32 AM in response to jbcortes

You have the option of swapping the router…I get 1300 Mbps and my mini isn’t even in the same room.

jbcortes Author

Level 1

19 points

May 31, 2022 8:36 AM in response to hcsitas

There aren't many 5G routers, at least here in Europe. Huawei CPE Pro 3 (mine), and a ridiculously expensive Netgear (M5, I think). Not that the Huawei was cheap.

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

May 31, 2022 8:39 AM in response to jbcortes

You don’t need 5G, you already have one. Plug the new router to it and let it serve WiFi.

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Jun 22, 2022 4:47 AM in response to jbcortes

You’ve got it all mixed up. There isn’t and never was a “Mini M1 being a 2018 model”. I easily get sustained 1300 Mbps on my 2018 mini, that too with the router in the adjacent room. Have a nice day.

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Jun 22, 2022 8:12 AM in response to kudzu1953

You heard it on the internet? Like so many others? Then it must be true thank you 😁

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Super slow wifi on Mac mini M1