Mac mini M2 Pro Wi-Fi to Netgear, Safari stalls

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ccrm Author

Level 1

11 points

Mac mini M2 Pro Wi-Fi to Netgear, Safari stalls

A mystery with my 2-year old Mac mini M2Pro connecting to a 1-year old Netgear router :

The Mini connects properly to local cable internet by direct ethernet cable and the internet connection works properly via Safari
But plugging the cable internet direct into the router instead doesn't connect fully - the Mac's wifi connection says it is connected to the router, but Safari stalls within a couple of seconds, for any website, and fails to complete its loading to the site.
The Netgear router is sending Wifi around the house to an iPad correctly, only the Mini seems to be failing to connect fully by wifi
Any ideas, please?
Chris ***

MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023)

Posted on May 21, 2026 9:58 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

den.thed

Level 10

94,552 points

May 21, 2026 12:49 PM in response to ccrm

The Mac mini is more prone to having weak Wi-Fi and BlueTooth signals than other Mac's, because the wireless antenna is built into the bottom cover. Then to compound the issue, poorly shielded USB cables, Drives and other EMF emitting devices can wreak havoc on that already weak signal.

see > Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference - Apple Support

My advise is to rearrange the setup and do some testing:

1) Move all of your USB cables, display(s) and other devices from in-between the Mac mini and Router.

2) Replace any thin poorly shielded USB and display cables with higher quality shielded cables.

3) Stand the Mac mini on its side with the bottom cover facing towards your Wi-Fi Router.

4) Be sure the line of sight to the router is free of large metal objects and appliances.

5) I've also seen, where a nearby portable phone base caused a Wi-Fi problem.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

94,552 points

May 21, 2026 3:24 PM in response to ccrm

Sounds like the router is to close to the Mac mini and the Wi-Fi beams are to narrow for good reception. Move the router down onto the floor, a nearby shelf or table and re-test. Personally I would use the Ethernet and only leave the Wi-Fi on for Location Services. Then to make sure that the Mac mini stays tuned in on the Ethernet connection, move the Ethernet connection to the top of the network service order.

for ref: Change the order of the network services your Mac uses - Apple Support

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

94,552 points

May 22, 2026 7:54 AM in response to ccrm

ccrm wrote:

My only workaround is to plug the satellite cable direct into the Mini's ethernet socket - then it works provided I prioritise ethernet connection as you suggest - but then it still says it is connected to wifi, but isn't. And of course that also means the router has no input to connect to the iPad.

What make and model is the Router...?

Please explain the setup in more detail, because running an Ethernet cable from the router to Mac mini should not stop the iPad from accessing the routers Wi-Fi.

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 10

94,552 points

May 22, 2026 11:16 AM in response to ccrm

That is the correct setup for using the Ethernet thru the router and I would use it like that.

To dig deeper into why the Mac mini is not working with the Wi-Fi…

go to > If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi - Apple Support

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Answer 5

ccrm Author

Level 1

11 points

May 22, 2026 7:41 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks again, den.thed. I've tried your suggestions about router placing, and whether near or far from the computer, the wifi icon in the computer menu bar says it's connected but it isn't, and the iPad across the room is.

Also this mini works perfectly well on wifi 15 feet from another router in another house.

My only workaround is to plug the satellite cable direct into the Mini's ethernet socket - then it works provided I prioritise ethernet connection as you suggest - but then it still says it is connected to wifi, but isn't. And of course that also means the router has no input to connect to the iPad.

Is this coming down to reinstalling the Router's initial software to see if the connection problem lies there? Especially if taking the computer back to the other house/router still works there?

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Answer 6

ccrm Author

Level 1

11 points

May 21, 2026 2:54 PM in response to den.thed

Thankyou, den.thed - I've tried your suggestions - no usb cables or other equipment nearby except the computer to display cable, and with the Router standing only 2 inches from the Mac Mini, and still no wifi response via Safari.

Are there any settings in the Mini's System Settings, or anything in the Netgear's Settings, which could be causing the conflict? I've had an earlier Mac running wifi satisfactorily some feet αway from the router, but not this Mini. A clash between settings seems the most probable.

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Answer 7

ccrm Author

Level 1

11 points

May 22, 2026 9:22 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for your patience. Ive now tried the Satellite's ethernet cable direct into the Router, plus an additional ethernet cable from Router to Mini and that gives it a working internet connection, with the Mini set to prioritise Ethernet; and the iPad also works via WiFi. So, I'm fully working, but still wondering why the Mini won't connect by Wifi.

The Mini still thinks it's connected to both Wifi and Ethernet but of these only the Ethernet connection is live.

Another possibility is that the local satellite internet is very slow and an old, presumably low-tech connection which the router isn't handling well. Router is Netgear BE3600 WiFi7 dual band RS100 model, new 10 months ago.

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Answer 8

ccrm Author

Level 1

11 points

May 22, 2026 2:07 PM in response to den.thed

den.thed - Thanks very much much for your help. I'll go away and do some reading, and get to understand the Router. You've earned your stars!

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Answer 9

den.thed

Level 10

94,552 points

May 22, 2026 3:34 PM in response to ccrm

You’re welcome.

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