My MacBook Pro WiFi is Terrible

My phone, and even television, in the same room as my Macbook, shows their WiFi speeds at about 200 Mbps, while my laptop shows a WiFi speed of maybe 3 Mbps!! Why is it acting so near-unusable? Is there anything I can possibly do to fix this?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Sep 10, 2023 2:31 PM

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15 replies

Sep 10, 2023 3:03 PM in response to Saxman

Poisoning Internet performance:


By far the easiest way to cause poor performance, instability, overheating and crashing is to install ANY third-party speeder-uppers, Cleaners, Optimizers, or Virus scanners. or a VPN that you installed yourself.


The idea that a third party, with no special knowledge of the inner workings of MacOS, can somehow find a simple way to protect your computer — that is not already being done by MacOS itself — suggests that the MacOS developers are somehow "holding out on you". That is absurd.


You should remove any and all (other than Apple built-in) virus scanners, speeder uppers, optimizers, cleaners, App deleters or VPN packages you installed yourself, or anything of that ilk.


Third-party file Sync-ers such as DropBox, BackBlaze, OneDrive, or GoogleDrive can ruin performance, but are not inherently dangerous.


Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8841


To determine whether added software is the problem, run in Safe Mode, where no third-party items are loaded.


"Works in Safe Mode, Fails in regular mode" implies, "it's something you added."


Sep 10, 2023 8:08 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I'll try safe mode and see what happens. But I've never experienced this total meltdown of little to no Wifi, web pages not loading, or loading, but just for a few seconds, then disappearing. And I'm not quite sure that only developers who create apps for Macs, that may serve to optimize memory usage, or sync/store files, like Dropbox, have no knowledge of the inner workings of MacOS, but those who write apps filling the AppStore do. And if Apple's own apps, like Safari, & iCloud, or it's own system of memory allocation, etc, worked really well, consistently, there'd be no need to seek 3rd party apps.


But sadly, I sometimes have more issues with Apple's native apps, like Safari, iCloud, iTunes (or whatever it's called this week), etc. than I would expect from those that should be of that oft-touted "seamless integration". Yet, I do recall that for at least the first ten years, maybe more, of the nearly 30 years I've used Macs exclusively, they definitely worked more smoothly, and calls to support were far rarer, and those calls usually resulted in fixes, unlike today, where too often they can't provide a fix, or diagnosis, or will even hang up when faced with an issue beyond their "genius level"...


And you say we should remove all the non-Apple virus screeners, speeder uppers, optimizers, cleaners, app deleters, & VPNs, OK, so where are the Apple ones that do those jobs?

Question marked as Helpful

Sep 10, 2023 8:14 PM in response to Saxman

Saxman Said:

"My MacBook Pro WiFi is Terrible: My phone, and even television, in the same room as my Macbook, shows their WiFi speeds at about 200 Mbps, while my laptop shows a WiFi speed of maybe 3 Mbps!! Why is it acting so near-unusable? Is there anything I can possibly do to fix this?"

-------


Troubleshooting Slow Mac Wi-Fi:

A few thoughts to try...

I. Clear the Temporary Internet Files:


II. Restart your Router:

  1. Power: off the router
  2. Wait: 30 seconds
  3. Power: It back on


III. Boot in Safe Mode:

In Safe ModeLogin Items do not run at login, certain preferences are set aside, and damaged system files are then reset. So, once booted in to Safe Mode, wait 30 seconds, and then boot up normally, attempting another update install. For instructions, go here: How to Use safe Mode on your Mac - Apple Support


IV. Try a New Admin User:

What happens when you create a new administrator user, and log into it? Do you still get this error? If not, then it is likely an error with the current user. If so, then it is likely an error with your Mac.

Sep 11, 2023 6:35 AM in response to Saxman

<<. OK, so where are the Apple ones that do those jobs? >>


They are built unobtrusively deep into the heart of MacOS:


What is a signed system volume? - Apple Support

What is a signed system volume? - Apple Support


About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina or later - Apple Support

About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina or later - Apple Support


Signed system volume security in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS - App

https://support.apple.com/guide/security/signed-system-volume-security-secd698747c9/weble Support


Gatekeeper and runtime protection in macOS - Apple Support


Sep 11, 2023 2:43 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

After you remove your virus scanner and other snake-oill, hold down the Option key while you click on the Wi-Fi Icon on the menubar. You get a snapshot of current operation, similar to this older one. Screenshot, photograph, or transcribe and post back here for analysis:

OK, I did start it up in Safe Mode, and nothing improved, still couldn't connect. Oddly, I couldn't even get the Etre-Check app to open, in case it might be able to diagnose this issue. I even downloaded a fresh one, but that wouldn't open either, only the bouncing icon in the Dock. I'll try hitting Option and the WiFi icon, and see what that says. Also, despite my not being connected to the internet, Apple's Internet Preference window keeps telling me it IS connected, as does the network icon in the toolbar. I think someone once told me that it only means that it's connected to my router, not necessarily to the actual internet. Is that really true? If it is, it's pretty misleading and pointless, for what's the use of it telling me it's connected to my router/modem, if I'm still not on the internet? Sure, if something is wrong with my equipment, that's great, but it's working fine, as every other device in the house is connected to the web, via the router/modem, only the Macbook's not.

And do you have any idea why in the Nework preferences, in the DNS window, why does it show "Ian" in the window under "Search Domains"? It has that shown also in my iMac, so I imagine it's something my ISP has there as a default. But I don't even know what should or shouldn't be in that, and the article I read, on the support site, wasn't much help.
Also, when my Macbook wasn't connecting I thought to put in a couple different DNS servers, but it still didn't help. I wondered if maybe that was a bad move, but then I saw the very same two I had just inserted, were the same ones here on my iMac, and with which I'm getting a download of 350 Mbps, so I doubt that was a bad move. But I also see the "Ian" in the Search Domain window, and find this puzzling.
.



Sep 11, 2023 2:48 PM in response to TheLittles

TheLittles wrote:

Saxman Said:
"My MacBook Pro WiFi is Terrible: My phone, and even television, in the same room as my Macbook, shows their WiFi speeds at about 200 Mbps, while my laptop shows a WiFi speed of maybe 3 Mbps!! Why is it acting so near-unusable? Is there anything I can possibly do to fix this?"
-------

Troubleshooting Slow Mac Wi-Fi:
A few thoughts to try...
I. Clear the Temporary Internet Files:
Cookies•  perform remembrance of certain site-entered data.
Cache•  keeps a snapshot of the last time you visited a site.
Go Here: Clear your browsing history in Safari on Mac - • Apple Support

II. Restart your Router:
Power: off 1. the router
Wait: 1. 30 seconds
Power:1.  It back on

III. Boot in Safe Mode:
In Safe ModeLogin Items do not run at login, certain preferences are set aside, and damaged system files are then reset. So, once booted in to Safe Mode, wait 30 seconds, and then boot up normally, attempting another update install. For instructions, go here: How to Use safe Mode on your Mac - Apple Support

IV. Try a New Admin User:
What happens when you create a new administrator user, and log into it? Do you still get this error? If not, then it is likely an error with the current user. If so, then it is likely an error with your Mac.

Hi,


I'd cleared cache, didn't restart the Router, since all other devices are getting high-speed (300-350 Mbps) downloads, which tells me the router's working just fine. Although, is it possible that the Macbook lost it's sync with it, so that restarting might reconnect it? If so, I'll try that, and see if that may clear things up. I did boot into Safe Mode, then back, and still couldn't connect, or when in Safe Mode.

I haven't tried creating a new user, but if nothing else works, I'll do that and see, thanks.

Sep 11, 2023 4:40 PM in response to Saxman

Saxman Said:

"My MacBook Pro WiFi is Terrible: […]is it possible that the Macbook lost its sync with it, so that restarting might reconnect it?[…]

———-


Router Causing Lagging WiFi:

Yes. The IP Address may have been taken over by a static-assigned device. Or there may not be enough bandwidth within your area to handle the traffic (something seen in urban areas. There is in so much that broadband can handle. This was of a typical occurrence during the days of COVID when many were working at home. See my User Tip that I authored during the days of COVID: Coronavirus Pandemic - Why Your Streaming May be Down at the Moment - User Tip.

Sep 11, 2023 8:17 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Ok, I finally got that screenshot, had to do the Option & Wifi thing about five times, before it finally showed what your image above did. But now, the screenshot is not showing up in the folder on this computer, as it should, since it's saved in iCloud! Which is something that often fails, especially with Keychain. So, since I have no internet connection with my laptop, I have to figure out how to post the screenshot here.... I suppose I can try and take pic with my phone, then transfer it to my iMac, then post it here. Quite a hassle, when iCloud is supposed to sync it up... oh, but since I have no internet, that's why it's not showing up here.... Ok, I'll try using my phone....

Sep 12, 2023 7:43 AM in response to Saxman

You have connected on the much less interference-prone 5 GHz band, with you signal centered at channel 44, using the lowest 40 MHz channel and likely the default for many Routers in your network neighborhood.


Seeing strong noise at -85 (should be more like -95) suggests you have other Routers using your same channel (or one that overlaps it) possibly using different modulation techniques.


You are using your two antennas together in as good as can be expected way, reading 64 patterns per signaling interval and obtaining a transmit rate of 216 M bits/sec. With less interference/noise, that same technique could be pushed to provide up to 270 M bits/sec using the same modulation technique.


Your RSSI (raw signal) at -77 is abysmal, many steps too low, far below where your Mac will strongly attempt to switch to any different network, if one is available. That is NOT enough signal -- it needs to be nearer to -65 or better, where -40 is typical strong signal right next to your Router. You need less distance and/or fewer energy absorbing building materials between your Router and your Mac.


Your router-name suggest spectrum cable. If you were to connect to a different cable-TV tap, you could move your Router. Obtaining a different cable-TV splitter and moving the Router to a different cable outlet location that is more central to your living space could improve the signal strength at this computer location.


Your modulation technique, 802.11n, suggests either your Router or your Mac or both, are certifiable antique(s). MacBook Pro after 2012 Retina model featured 802.11n but three-stream (three antennas) for faster performance. MacBook Pro late 2013 models included some that used 802.11 ac, which can produce higher speeds if the signal is very strong. But just getting a more modern Router does not improve the signal strength. Signal levels were fixed by standards at a certain level a long time ago. You need more signal-strength.


executive summary: Your MacBook Pro is working as designed. Your Router needs to be closer to your Mac. You could do a few other things to make speeds slightly faster once you have more signal.


Sep 12, 2023 12:23 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for your diagnosis. It is an "antique", a 2011 model, and I am planning on getting a new Macbook very soon. However, the router is where it's always been, yet I was able to connect, except occasionally, just fine, up to now. Never had it be so completely dysfunctional. And it's half the distance away than my iMac which gets very high speeds, and my older Android phone & big screen tv, both a few years old, connect just fine, from the same place as my Macbook, so it's puzzling why it can't connect at all. I do have a couple of devices (forgot what they're called) that I plug into the wall, and are supposed to boost the wifi signal, so I'll try using one, to see if makes a difference. Geographically, I'm in the Atlanta metro area, but a close-in burb, with not a great deal of density, nothing like within the city, so I doubt it's that. I guess trying that wifi-booster device and getting that new Macbook are about my best options, thanks. I still can't figure out why Etre-Check refuses to even open, I don't think it needs an internet connection, but even if it did, other apps that also need one, will at least open, and then say I don't a connection....

Sep 12, 2023 4:28 PM in response to Saxman

The extreme density of an apartment block with many other Routers in range (within about 300 feet outdoors and only about 150 feet indoors in every direction, including up and down) is a BIG DEAL.


Population Density, in the city or in the country, is a don't care. if you are far enough from your neighbors, their signals will not interfere with yours.


Signals from Wi-Fi access points fall off smartly as distances increase, and if solid building materials intervene, such as typical wallboard walls and ceilings, and especially solid brick and masonry. My home is solid masonry construction, and features wire-lath behind the plaster -- it is a Wi-Fi and cellular dead zone.


How you set up any additional access points and have them deployed about your house can make a Big Difference. It requires some pre-planning and some post analysis.


If you have accidentally set them all to the same channel, or all used their default channel, Access points will compete with one another and your main Router. If you set each access point for "automatic" channel selection, each will listen for a moment when it wakes up, and choose a channel that is not already busy. It is not an accident that every debugging procedure starts with "Cycle the power to your Router."


If you give each access point the same network-name, and the same encryption method and password, they will all be seen as the same network.

Sep 14, 2023 11:24 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant,


I don't like in an apartment, and there's only one neighbor on either side of me, within 300 ft., so I'm not thinking that's the issue. I did restart my modem and router, which still didn't fix it. However, I went back into my Network preferences, and just erased the DNS codes I had manually entered. assuming it would automatically use my isp's default ones, and it did just that, and I was able to connect, albeit far slower than the tv and Android devices in the same room, maybe 5 or 6 times slower (app.30Mbps vs 150-180Mbps). But I can live with that until I get a new Macbook to replace it.


Oddly, the DNS codes in my iMac (same isp) are the very ones I had inserted in the window on my Macbook, which didn't work, yet my iMac gets 10x the Wifi download speed, (& is further from the router), so it leaves me scratching my head, as usual. Oftentimes it's best I don't even try to make sense of how & why things happen the way they do...

My MacBook Pro WiFi is Terrible

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