Macbook pro retina drops wifi when usb 3.0 stick connected

I have had a similar problem, I purchased a right angle extension USB3 cable, when I plug it in the WIFI just drops, but if I get rid of the extension its fine, does this mean I won't ever be able to use this?

Hi, I'm having a similar problem with my MINI, which I've just bought. When I plugged the usb 3 hub (HooToo HT-UH010), the wifi dropped and the mouse (logitech) started to become unresponsive. I've unplugged the hub and everything went back to normal. The Apple support technician told me that the hub is pushing electricity into the computer and could damage it, so I should never plug it in again because is defective. So, following the conversation, I've returned the hub to Amazon, waiting for a refund, so I could buy a different one, as it appears that not all the hubs are compatible with Macs. Now, after reading lots of discussions on lots of forums, it seems that I'm not the only one with this issue and it may actually be an Apple fault. The thing is, if I plug any of my USB3 hard drives or USB3 stick, nothing happens, there is no wifi drop, everything is normal, only with the hub plugged in I had this issue.

I really need to use a hub for my external hard drives and I really don't know what to buy, I don't know if there was a real problem with the hub or is just a problem with all the Macs.

I Returned my USB 3 hub due to similar issues and from my research on the Internet decided to avoid a USB 3 hub. Caused several issues and I did not want to waste any more time troubleshooting or cause damage to my MBP.

Unfortunately, for me that is not an option. I transfer large amounts of data and videos between my hard drives and speed is essential. I really need a good USB 3.0 Hub and I don't know what will work without affecting the WIFI.

I contacted the manufacturer of the hub I eventually purchased and they assured me it was compatible... I returned it after a few days. From what I have read it is a generic issue but let us know if you find a suitable product.

Hi, just received a different USB hub, Anker this time. According to the Apple tech, the HooToo was pushing electricity into my mac. This time, I just plugged in the hub, without the power source. 2 second later, the wifi dropped. Pulled it out, wifi back on. Conclusion: Apple's fault.

I've changed from windows to mac, hoping that I will have a hassle free life, but after this, I think I will return the mini and with 1500£ buy a decent windows pc.

I've red about people changing 20 hubs with no joy, I will stop at 2. HooToo and Anker are supposed to be the best. Power source or not, wifi drops like a piece of led. That is clear enough for me, is Apple's fault and they won't do anything about it.

I bought Anker after researching but had problems and had to return. Am not sure it is Mac specific, USB 3 cables carry power and apparently carry more power and electric field that can interfere with Wifi. I wish there was a definitive source on information on this, I spent a lot of time researching this and gave up. Apple do provide some advice on USB 3 hubs (Using USB 3 devices on Mac computers FAQ - Apple Support)

It looks like there is an option, or two, but a lot more expensive than a simple usb hub. Belkin's thunderbolt dock, which gives you 3 usb 3.0 without taking one of the mac so basically you use 4, but this is the most expensive option, 200£ and you are still limited to a certain number of usb's. The second option, which I found today after some research, is Kanex. They do a thunderbolt to usb 3 and sata or gigabit ethernet (2 different adaptors), which costs around 80£. The guy that wrote the review said that he's using a hub plugged into the adaptor, and everything is fine. This gives you the option of using any hub, with as many as 10 usb 3 ports. A decent hub and the adaptor will set you back around 100-120£ which is cheaper than the Belkin dock but, in my case, after spending 1500£ on the mini, I'm not very happy spending another 100 to go around Apple's mistake.

OK, so I've discovered something interesting!

I believe it is a design fault relating to the MacBook pro. Possibly an earthing issue with the unibody chassis.

If I insert a USB3 hub into the USB port, Wi-Fi fails.

HOWEVER - if I wiggle plug out of the port just 1mm so that it still connects and operates correctly, but isn't fully inserted into the port, Wi-Fi works again!

My guess is that the USB3 port is earthing through the unibody chassis and causing interference with the WiFi antennae.

This doesn't happen on any other laptops in the house - just the Mac.

Strange?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u3EBxuAPXQ

I had the same problem with a 2015 Mac Mini with a 2TB USB 3 drive attached.

Disconnecting isn't an option given my use, so I went low tech to solve and connected a USB 2 hub and moved the USB 3 drive to that.

No 5GHz frequency available on my router as some have suggested can resolve.

Lose of transfer speed isn't a great issue given the use, so that will do.

This problem seems staggeringly stupid.

I've been having lots of strange problems connecting to wifi with my MacBook Pro out of the blue. I recently got a USB multi connector. Attached to it is my external HD (not located to the rear of my laptop but on shelf next to it,) printer, and tablet. Besides having the HD somewhat near the computer could the multi connector be causing issues? Wifi seems to drop when I restart my computer and the USB hub is connected. I lost days of work over this and even ordered a new router. I'd suggest anyone having wifi issues to look into this USB thing first.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I bought my Dad a USB 3.0 hub for Christmas, and we spent a good part of the day troubleshooting before landing here. As odd as this may sound, it was exactly what the doctor ordered. We tried adding a black tape insulator to the end of the USB connector. It did not help. Still had to pull the cord out just a millimeter or so. Completely broke to completely fixed. No voodoo, no radio wave interference, it's all in the plug.

Hi, i've just purchased the anker 4-port USB 3.0 hub (bus not mains powered), purely to give me easier access to the USB ports on the mac mini......resulting effect, is that i've lost wifi 😟 take the hub out its back again. Has anyone tried a usb 3.0 extension cable in between the hub and mac mini or macbook pro? Might be worth a try to see if it resolves? Going to find one today and try this myself, as i like the aesthetics of this hub and don't need to travel with it so happy to have a longer unpractical cable, just a shame this is happening due to a clear design fault by anker or apple.

Has anyone found an alternative hub that works without fault?

Thanks from me as well - have a a 2014 mac mini which would drop wifi and wireless keyboard when any one of 3 USB 3.0 devices were attached (all of which work perfectly with windows laptops)

Moving the devices out 1-2mm solved the issues for all the devices - working perfectly with the mac and everything else OK as well...

Not great from Apple - but at least we have a resolution - I would recommend anyone with similar issues to at least give this a go.

Thanks again to higherdestiny for resolving this one - has saved me a lot of hassle...