Macbook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023) doesn't connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi network at all

Hi pnwclw

I have the same issues, with my M2 Air and M3 Pro, after lots of troubleshooting I raised a ticket with TP-Link support and looks like the issue is a combination of security measure, in between the HomeSheeld application installed on the router and your laptop/laptop security application like antivirus/vpn etc. Based on what you are using you can he less or more impacted. in my case on my working laptop where I use different tunels/vpn I was not able to say connected more then 5 minutes without interruption, but on my personal laptop where I have only a normal antivirus it was a bit better.

After 30 minutes of troubleshooting the decided to provide me a beta firmware will is plan to be released this spring, and after few hours of using it my both laptops have strong connection on 5Ghz network.

Firmware Version: 1.2.5 Build 20231129 rel.73373(4555)

Hardware Version: Archer AX55 v1.0

Latest Firmware Version: 1.2.6 Build 20231130 rel.36135

If you did not find any permanent fix, I can share this beta firmware.

Hi everyone,

It happened to me as well but I solved it.

Apparently in my case, the problem was a bad hdmi cable.

I was checking the wifi using speedtest. When I disconnected all of the cables connected to the computer and turned off bluetooth, the internet worked just fine.

After that I started a debug session to find the culprit, which was the hdmi cable. After replacing the hdmi cable to a different one it works well.

Same thing happened to my and I found out it was my hdmi cable. recently I added a 2nd monitor connected via hdmi cable and then the 5G issue happened afterwards, reading thru comments and troubleshoot, the one that I did was disconnect the hdmi cable and I am able to connect again to 5G.

Have you tried disabling the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi on the router?

Have you tried using Password Sharing from other devices (an iPhone)?

Can your MBP M2 Pro connect to other 5GHz Wi-Fi network?

Have you tried giving different SSIDs to the 2.4GHz & 5GHz wireless networks?

Also, if 2.4GHz is connected, forget it and do not connect automatically. Only join it automatically when the 5GHz network is connected.

On the router, try using different 5 GHz channels. Avoid automatic channel because many routers are default to the same channel and making it very noisy.

Consider install Wi-Fi Explorer app. If you cannot see any 5GHz Wi-Fi network, it could be the network card issue. I think it’s unlikely.

Last thing, stay closer to the router and 5GHz signal becomes stronger. When 5GHz signal is weak, Mac will switch to 2.4GHz.

WiFi not staying connected. If your router is using WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Mode "Wireless Protected Access", try changing your router to just WPA2. Not all routers play nice with Macs that are trying to use WPA2. I cannot give you exact instructions, each home router is different. Check with your router manufacture. If switching to just WPA2 does not improve the situation, then you can always switch back to WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Mode. Try disabling IPv6: Ventura: System Settings -> Network -> Wi-Fi -> Details -> TCP/IP (tab) -> Configure IPv6 -> Link-Local Only

I finally found a solution to my M2 Macbook not connecting to my 5g network (with no problem connecting to my 2.4g network). The problem is something with my router NOT the computer. My internet is provided through my apartment building and I am only able to use the provider they contract (CenturyLink). All my other devices (including an imac, an M1, ipad, and iphones) have no problem connecting to our 5g network. However, when I would connect my M2, it would stay connected for about 5 minutes and then get kicked off. I went to a local coffee shop I could verify uses internet provider and has 5g and was able to stay online there with no issues. So, I knew it was an internet issue not a computer issue. I recently purchased a second router (Linksys Hydra Pro 6 Mesh WiFi 6 Router - WiFi Extender Replacement - MR5500-AMZ - Mesh WiFi Router for Wireless Internet ) and pluggged it into my current router (because I can't get rid of that due to my living situation) and now my M2 Macbook is able to connect to 5g no problem!!!! This took about 3 weeks of trouble shooting to get to the source and figure out how to address the issue but now the problem is solved.

all of the solutions here haven't worked on me, what worked was just setting my router to WPA2/WPA3 mode, turns out my mac just isn't happy with having the options chosen for it

Get a new router. I went through two new M2s and countless genius appointments, convinced it was the computer. three other macs, iphones, and ipad all connect to our 5g. the new M2 would only connect for seconds and then lose connection and never could get 5g speeds. Thought it also was our service provider's problem. Finally bought a new router (suggested by a Genius) and it solved everything.

Removing an HDMI to DVI cable to an older Monitor I was using temporarily solved this issue for me as well. Thank you!

Hi,

in the end I found out my usb dock was causing the issue, also on my older macbook I found out later.

good luck, I hope it may help you.

Hi pnwclw,

Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities! You have tried great steps so far. Have you also tested in another user? Being able to see if the issue occurs in another user account will to identify if it is something that is affecting your entire system or just one particular user account. To do this, you'll want to set up a Test User account and then try to replicate the issue in that account.

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups.

2. Click the lock icon, then enter an administrator name and password.

3. Click the add button (+) below the list of users.

4. Complete the fields shown for a Standard or Administrator account, then click Create Account (or OK).

5. Go back up to the Apple menu in the upper left of the computer and select "Log Out". At the login screen, choose the "Test User" just made.

6. Once inside the Test Account, try to replicate the issue to determine if it just occurs in one account or on the whole computer.

If the issue remains in the test user, we recommend that you reach out to Apple Support directly to take a further look. Please reach out here:

Get Support

Hope this helps!

Have a great day.

If you set up that 5Ghz SSID to use WPA3 personal security and your MacBook Pro is attempting to use WPA2, then it will never connect unless that SSID was configured for either of WPA2/WPA3 security.

I was having the same issue, none of the solutions worked for me, however after booting into recovery mode I managed to connect to 5ghz with no problem. After rebooting I could connect to 5ghz in normal session. No idea what might have caused such behaviour.

thank you omri4747

never in a million years would i guess the hdmi cable was pulling my wifi into 2.4ghz !!!

I was having the same issue. Someone on this thread suggested it was the router, so I purchased a Linksys wifi extender, connected to my router and set that up. It's only been a few hours but this seems to have taken care of the problem. The original modem is a CenturyLink modem (partnered with my apartment building), and a few others experiencing this issue have the same exact modem.

Connecting to the new router/extender has been working so far and i'm getting pretty close the advertised speed on my subscription.

Hope this helps!