Is the WiFi on a brand new Mac mini M2 Pro expected to not function?

From what I've read, the Mac mini has been plagued with wifi issues for years. I just got the M2 Pro version a few weeks ago and find the wifi to be wholly unusable at speeds often less than 10Mbps.


I have many wireless devices in my home and I'm knowledgable of wifi radios, SSIDs, etc. My primary AP is an AirPort Express (because I use it for AirPlay) which an M1 MacBook Pro on the same desk as the Mini gets speeds at 100Mbps on a dedicated 5Ghz radio. The AP is less than 10 feet away on the other side of a wall. My back up AP is my ISP furnished Actiontech which gives me over 300Mbps on the 5Ghz radio.


Is there any way to determine if I have a Mac mini with a dud wifi chip? Are they all bad? What do I need to do convince Apple to exchange for a new one and also confirm the new one won't have the same issue? I mean, I just spent over two weeks configuring this Mac and really don't want to do it all over again. Although, I guess I rather have functioning wifi.

Mac mini

Posted on Jun 8, 2023 9:37 AM

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7 replies

Jun 8, 2023 10:46 AM in response to hcsitas

I have two Thunderbolt HDDs, a BenQ monitor using Thunderbolt, a Belkin Thunderbolt hub, and a Fosi DAC using the two USB-A ports. I have run the wifi tests with all peripherals (other than the monitor) disconnected and found no change.


I've considered getting a new AP but all signs point to the issue being the computer, not the AirPort which has worked flawlessly for years. Of the two AirPorts I have, I could replace the one it's connected to but the second is used for Airplay all day long. I'm not convinced though that an AP upgrade would have any effect on the Wifi performance of the Mini so I'm quite hesitant to go that route. Having two different APs, regardless of the SSIDs, would likely cause handoff issues. The AirPorts are pretty darn fantastic.

Jun 8, 2023 10:56 AM in response to Anthony Sbarro

The AirPorts are fantastic, but obsolete. Which means insecure & dangerous, unless showcased on a bookshelf with other nostalgia - an iPod for example. So, replace them without further ado, it’s the right thing to do.


Your configuration is overloaded with 3rd party peripherals including some over hubs, which IMO is the root cause of WiFi degradation. How are you measuring speed? Disconnect them all and post details on your testing please.

Oct 28, 2023 10:09 AM in response to Anthony Sbarro

From what I've heard the WiFi problem affects the M2 version of the Mac Mini, which came out early this year. I have the M2 Pro version, and the the wifi was unstable at the start, and soon simply refused to connect at all to the server. I tried several things, all with no success. I thought my problems might be complicated by my setup: I have a 4G router, and because I live in an old building with very thick walls the router wifi signal does not reach all the rooms I would like, so I extend the reach with a CPL system (Devolo). Our iPhones, an M1 MacBook, and an iPad all connected OK. After months of not being able to connect the Mimi to my wifi, just today O have stumbled across a possible solution. It's working for me, and it remains to be seen if it continues to work. I logged into the admin user on the router, and for both bands I made a specific selection for the channel, instead of accepting the default "Automatic" selection. For the 2.4GHz band I chose channel 6, and for the 5GHz band I chose channel 44. Hope this helps someone else.

Is the WiFi on a brand new Mac mini M2 Pro expected to not function?

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