MacBook Pro (M5Pro) experiences Wi-Fi video call lag and fluctuating TxRate

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Level 1

4 points

MacBook Pro (M5Pro) experiences Wi-Fi video call lag and fluctuating TxRate

My work machine got upgraded from a M2Pro to M5Pro (14").

I have a Tplink Deco B365Pro mesh network with 2 nodes at home. I have zero issues with my 30 other devices and older macbook, however the newer macbook will show a persistent jitter and lag on video calls every 10-15 seconds. This coincides with two observations:

pings to my router and this shows <10ms pings and every time there is a video call jitter it corresponds with 300-500ms ping response.
TxRate wildly fluctuates between 2400 mbs to 150mbps and in between, consistently fluctuating. the video call jitters coincide when this hits the lowest TxRate.

I have tried this a 6ghz, 5ghz and 2.4ghz and the effect is that this seems to be better on 2.4ghz only.

I am confident that the issue is with the new machine as my older device and all other devices donot have this issue.

Looking forward to suggestions.

Thank you in advance!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 27.0

Posted on Oct 8, 2026 3:37 PM

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Answer 1

MrHoffman

Level 10

168,323 points

Oct 8, 2026 3:51 PM in response to shahjahan179

Problems connected on one network, or connected on multiple networks?

Current Wi-Fi router firmware loaded?

No installed add-on VPNs around?

Given different clients can connect to the same Wi-Fi differently, that others connect means the backhaul and basic function work. Not that all clients will work reliably. MacBook Pro with M5 Pro supports Wi-Fi 7, for instance. Is this the first time your Wi-Fi gear has a Wi-Fi 7 client trying to use 6 Ghz? One SSID for all bands?

As for mesh and multiple APs, that can mean interference or signal issues. And mesh inherently uses a lot of channels.

If you want to check for interference or uncoordinated networks or such, an app such as the WiFi Explorer is handy. Useful, but not free.

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Answer 2

Oct 8, 2026 3:46 PM in response to shahjahan179

If jitter-free video calls are a requirement, I recommend you pull an Ethernet cable from your router to the computer you use for video conferencing.

The fact that you have felt compelled to invest in multiple Wi-Fi access points suggest you have a terrible Wi-Fi environment inside you home, and seeing fluctuating speeds confirms it still the issues.

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