2016 MBP Touch Bar - TERRIBLE Wifi speeds

Hi AndyH28,

I experienced the same problems like you: High latency spikes, when I am on Wifi. As I work quite a time via SSH on remote machines, a constant latency is crucial. Otherwise typing is horrible.

I googled around and found the same answers like you got:

- This 5GHz thing

- Distance to router

- Hardware issues

However I couldn't believe those answers and none of them applied to my problem. The only thin that worked was using a wired connection.

During the last weeks I spend many hours investigating the problem. My start always was a "ping session" like this:

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=53 ttl=56 time=32.462 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=54 ttl=56 time=98.429 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=55 ttl=56 time=149.815 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=56 ttl=56 time=32.795 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=57 ttl=56 time=12.920 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=58 ttl=56 time=12.892 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=59 ttl=56 time=12.899 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=60 ttl=56 time=12.902 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=61 ttl=56 time=12.851 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=62 ttl=56 time=223.226 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=63 ttl=56 time=148.654 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=64 ttl=56 time=206.037 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=65 ttl=56 time=268.655 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=66 ttl=56 time=17.800 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=67 ttl=56 time=47.629 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=68 ttl=56 time=143.621 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=69 ttl=56 time=29.277 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=70 ttl=56 time=88.440 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=71 ttl=56 time=139.968 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=72 ttl=56 time=12.865 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=73 ttl=56 time=12.303 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=74 ttl=56 time=12.941 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=75 ttl=56 time=12.903 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=76 ttl=56 time=12.924 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=77 ttl=56 time=182.978 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=78 ttl=56 time=104.746 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=79 ttl=56 time=154.806 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=80 ttl=56 time=217.942 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=81 ttl=56 time=275.957 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=82 ttl=56 time=12.061 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=83 ttl=56 time=95.393 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=84 ttl=56 time=140.254 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=85 ttl=56 time=25.608 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=86 ttl=56 time=81.580 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=87 ttl=56 time=12.871 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=88 ttl=56 time=12.501 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=89 ttl=56 time=13.127 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=90 ttl=56 time=12.874 ms

64 bytes from 216.58.205.227: icmp_seq=91 ttl=56 time=12.908 ms

As you might see, there is some pattern (highlighted in both).

After capturing network traffic with Wireshark, and opening/closing the programs I normally used, I identified multiple programs which, when running, trigger this behaviour. Meaning: Once I run the particular program the latency pattern shows and after closing, the latency is gone.

Unfortunately, two of these programs are constantly running on my machine, because I use them a lot:

• http://sqlitebrowser.org
• http://www.texstudio.org/

Now that I knew the trouble causing programs, I scanned their preferences for mysterious settings. Both tools require a network connections for some feature:

• The database tool searches for "remote options" (whatever that is)
• The TEX tool queries a grammar checker

After disabling this options, the programs can run and don not interfere with the network connection. And I my case, I didn't need the features I disabled.

So, I don't know if this is the ultimate solution, but I'm happy right now. Maybe there is something else, because like I said: there are no issues (independent from program options), when the MAC is connected via ethernet. It is a Wifi only issue.

Hope I could help

JR

Why do I have difficulty with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices when USB 3 devices are attached to my computer?

Some USB 3 devices can generate radio frequency interference that can cause Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices operating in the 2.4GHz band to have issues communicating with your computer. Here are some tips to avoid this issue:

• If your USB device has a cable long enough that you can move the device, place it away from your Mac—and make sure not to place it behind your Mac, or near the hinge of its display. The antennas for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are located there, and USB 3 devices placed there might interfere with your wireless connections.
• If you're using adapters or dongles on a Mac computer with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, plug them into the front port on the left side of your Mac, or into the ports on the right side (if your computer has them). These ports are the farthest away from the antennas, making interference less likely.
• To avoid interference on the 2.4GHz band using Wi-Fi, try using the 5GHz band instead. You can change this on your wireless base station. Bluetooth always uses 2.4GHz, so this alternative isn't available for Bluetooth.

from:

Using USB devices with your Mac - Apple Support

also, any of these items may be involved:

• Power Adapter cable recall

Apple USB-C Charge Cable Replacement Program - Apple Support

• firmware update for the Apple Multi-Port display adapters (specifically to reduce interference).

About the USB-C Multiport Adapter Update 1.0 - Apple Support

• LG-display recall -- to address Wi-Fi interference so severe, it knocks the Router off the air if too near the Router.

https://9to5mac.com/2017/02/03/lg-fixes-wifi-interference-problems-with-ultrafin e-usb-c-5k-display-new-units-unaffected/

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Ping times are interesting, and may indicate that there is a problem, but do nothing to help diagnose the problem.

Hold down the Option key while you click on the Wi-Fi icon on the MenuBar. You get a report like this older one:

what do you get for PHY Mode and channel?

what do you get for RSSI, signal, or signal to Noise?

what do you get for Tx rate or Transmit Rate?

and how many networks do you see listed there?

.

You are already on the 5GHz band, using 802.11ac, the most advanced modulation technique. 93-60 leaves 33. an excellent signal-to-noise.

The top baseband speed for a 80MHz channel is 390. Your computer has backed away from that top speed by one step AND is using a simpler modulation technique using two antennas. I expect you are seeing interference from another neighbor on channel 35.

You should try to set your Router to "Automatic" channel selection. this should make it "sniff" the channels at startup, and move to one that is less occupied. If this feature in not provided, you could manually move to a higher channel.

Keep in mind that an 80 MHz channel sends data on several adjacent channels as well as 35, so if you move to a different channel, it should be, say, channel 50 or above. This screen shot from the inexpensive Utility Wi-Fi explorer shows graphically how data actually takes up many more than just its nominal channel:

(click to enlarge)

Same here, I use both 2.4 and 5 ghz and still i am affected until I reboot the mac book afterwhich it will function well for a few hours and back to the same issue.

Disappointed at this Macbook Pro ....

So far, pings on my iPhone are consistent as well.

My MacBook Pro had consistent pings when idle most of the time.

When I start browsing to a new website it stalls a few seconds. At that same moment in time, my iPhone had no ping spikes at all.

For a moment I thought it might have to do with DNS. Once the 'connection' to the website is established, browsing pages on that website is blazing fast again. After that, starting a new session on any other website is also fine.

So it definitely looks like something is wrong with my MacBook Pro 2016 with Touch Bar.

I don't really understand WireShark, so don't know how to pin the cause down to specific software.

It's starting to look like I can reproduce it this way:

- start terminal

- ping local router IP address

- open safari

- keep macbook idle for 5 minutes

- pings are quite consistent

- open a new safari browser tab

- open any new website I did not visit today (not sure if that matters)

- pings spike up to 1500ms or packets get lost entirely

try to eliminate any loops of cables near the Mac. If you can pull that cable out straight, it will decrease its effectiveness as an antenna. If you have multiple USB-C ports, try one on the other side of the Mac.

There was a recall for certain charge cables. was your affected?

https://www.apple.com/support/usbc-chargecable/

If not, consider testing with a different charging cable.

Using 5GHz or 2.4GHz?

what USB-C peripherals, if any?

works with power adapter plugged in also? either side?

any Bluetooth peripherals?

Current theories suggest interference generated by poorly-shielded peripherals or loops of USB-C cable near the computer may be causing these issues in the 2.4GHz band. That is why some Users may have obtained relief by plugging the power adapter in on the other side. There was also a recall on certain charging cables, but most of these should already be out of circulation:

Apple USB-C Charge Cable Replacement Program - Apple Support

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I am currently looking into things a bit more detailed.

• Its not the Wifi router etc. Pings are fine from the iPhone.
• Mac is in idle mode 4x slower average
• When working - its about 10x slower on average => but a ping can take more than 1100 ms :-(

Until today I thought that it may be due to my network at home, but I spend some time investigating and drilled it down to the Mac itself.

Ping data at: https://www.evernote.com/l/AAQ4DySCAoJF1ZagHscf4ZKCSyfnOR_JBzE

Did you ever get any resolution with this? I work in IT and setup dozens of these computers a month, and several of my users have complained about their wireless with these new models. Identical circumstances as you, having really high latency over 5GHz, whereas the older MBPs have no issue at all.

I get the same problem too. Check this out, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtVSpPtpyT0

Turns out my problem is something related with USB Type-C ports. Once I plugged in my USB Type-C Power Charge Cable, WiFi became unusable.

My model: MacBook Pro 15' with Touch bar

My WiFi routers: Asus AC1900, Apple Time Capsule 3T, Cisco Meraki

Orignal 87w Power Adapter and USB-C cable.

Thanks for a quick response.

Yeah, there is no loops of cables near my Mac. I tried different locations, the other side of USB-C ports and different sets of Power Adapters and Charging cables.

The charging cable is the redesigned one.

So far so frustrated, and I've been having this WiFi issue and all kinds of other issues with my 2016 15' MacBook Pro with touch bar for a while now. This one is really annoying me.

I have exactly the same problem.

Terrible WiFi speed with Bluetooth enabled. (with and without bluetooth devices connected)

Good WiFi speed with Bluetooth disabled.

I also have the opposite:

Bad bluetooth performance with disconnecting keyboard/mouse and stuttering or disconnected bluetooth headphones.

Better bluetooth performance with WiFi disabled and using Ethernet.

May be a problem with the wifi/bluetooth radio chip?

This could be a symptom of the most common Wi-Fi problem -- too many neighbors.

Bluetooth uses the same band as the most common Wi-Fi band, 2.4GHz. It uses it differently (it channel-hops) in hopes of having fewer problems.