Unstable ping to router on MacBook Pro 2018

Question

Level 1

4 points

Unstable ping to router on MacBook Pro 2018

I recently bought a MacBook Pro 2018, and I am experiencing an unstable connection. I mainly notice it when I am trying to play games, as spikes in latency is less notable within a browser, for instance. So the problem seems to be that the latency to my router spikes once every second or so. Here is an example of pinging my router every 200ms.

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=35 ttl=64 time=101.689 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=36 ttl=64 time=2.839 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=37 ttl=64 time=83.216 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=38 ttl=64 time=2.965 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=39 ttl=64 time=3.788 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=40 ttl=64 time=137.253 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=41 ttl=64 time=2.679 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=42 ttl=64 time=2.925 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=43 ttl=64 time=17.099 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=44 ttl=64 time=3.308 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=45 ttl=64 time=163.689 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=46 ttl=64 time=3.797 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=47 ttl=64 time=3.681 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=48 ttl=64 time=3.319 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=49 ttl=64 time=22.506 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=50 ttl=64 time=190.864 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=51 ttl=64 time=4.533 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=52 ttl=64 time=3.480 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=53 ttl=64 time=3.927 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=54 ttl=64 time=3.422 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=55 ttl=64 time=221.810 ms

As you can see, the pings are all over the place, and this behavior is consistent. On the contrary, if I perform the same test on my MacBook Pro 2011 on the same network, all pings are ~2.5ms consistently, so this Mac doesn't have this issue at all. I am using WiFi, but I am literally next to the router, so the connection is strong. And like I said, the issue doesn't appear on other devices, so I don't think the router/network is to blame. I looked at other wireless networks around, and there are not that many, so network congestion (or whatever it's called) shouldn't be the issue; also because it works on other devices. I have also performed the same test on a different network at another physical location, and the results are the same.

I have tried turning off "Wake for Wi-Fi network access" in the Energy Saver preferences, but that didn't make any difference.

I should mention that this happens even when I close all applications I have running, and I see nothing suspicious within the Activity Monitor.

Any ideas what could be causing this, or ideas as to what I should do from here to further debug the issue? Thanks!

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018), macOS High Sierra (10.13.6)

Posted on Oct 5, 2018 2:09 AM

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Answer 1

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

Oct 6, 2018 11:19 AM in response to Andy0708

Hello Andy0708,

Thanks for that info and choosing the Apple Support Communities. Based on what you stated, it seems you are experiencing Wi-Fi issues with your new MacBook Pro, but your old MacBook Pro doesn't have the same issue on the same network. You can figure out if unexpected behavior is related to a user file or setting by trying to reproduce the issue from another user account. This process includes creating a new user account, logging in to it, and testing for the issue.

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

Next, use safe mode to start up your Mac as it does the following things:

Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

Loads only required kernel extensions

Prevents startup items and login items from opening automatically

Disables user-installed fonts

Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

Log into your user account and test the issue while in safe mode and then restart normally and test the issue again. If you have this issue while in safe mode or a new user, please follow the steps in this Apple resource on troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues on your Mac.

Check for Wi-Fi issues using your Mac
Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac
Graphics performance limited in macOS Recovery, safe mode, or Guest User mode

Cheers!

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Answer 2

Nov 8, 2018 7:53 AM in response to Andy0708

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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Answer 3

Nov 8, 2018 12:58 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

There are at least two ways to follow that issue:

1) make sure your Router is set to "Automatic" channel selection. Then when it powers up, it "sniffs" the airwaves and chooses a channel that is less busy. [It is not an accident that the first step in debugging Wi-Fi problems is "Cycle the power on your Router"].

2) Choose Open Wireless Diagnostics off that same menu.

DO NOT create a report -- it is huge and just dumps every possible setting into file and zips the file-- useless unless you are working with Apple engineers on a detailed analysis.

Check for Wi-Fi issues using your Mac - Apple Support

Choose: Scan off the menu. You get a display showing who is on which nominal channel:

(drag and drop on Preview to view larger)

what this display does NOT provide is an indication of channel "spread", or how far up and down the spectrum the Routers are using for data. To get an more accurate view of that I like the inexpensive utility called Wi-Fi Explorer, which has a free trial period:

(drag and drop on Preview to view larger)

.

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Answer 4

jdo_apple

Community Specialist

Oct 10, 2018 1:35 PM in response to Andy0708

Thanks for replying, Andy0708, and that additional info, it really helps! Since you still had this issue in a new user and while in safe mode, your next step is to make a backup and update your macOS software as the updates contain stability fixes that can resolve issues like yours, as well as important security updates to keep your Mac safe.

Backing up your Mac hard drive
How to update the software on your Mac

If you're still having this issue after updating the macOS software, please run the built-in Apple Diagnostics.

How to use Apple Diagnostics on your Mac

Have a great day and thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

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Answer 5

Nov 8, 2018 8:31 AM in response to Andy0708

Ping information can indicate a problem, but it does not have any diagnostic information in it. For that, we could use a snapshot of what your Wi-Fi environment looks like from the perspective of your MacBook Pro.

Hold down the Option key while you click on the Wi-Fi Icon on the MenuBar, and you get a display like this one. Screenshot or transcribe and we can learn what is going on:

also, how far are you from the Router? AND

How many Networks are seen?

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Answer 6

Andy0708 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 10, 2018 5:42 AM in response to Teddy_B

Hello Jameson,

Thanks so much for your response!

I can confirm that the issue persists on a fresh user, both before, during, and after logging into Safe Mode. Wi-Fi Diagnostics also did not provide any clues as to what could be wrong.

Any idea where to go from here? Thanks again!

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Answer 7

Andy0708 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 8, 2018 7:45 AM in response to Andy0708

Thanks for the help, guys! After lots and lots of debugging, I was unable to identify the problem. Instead, I just gave up and purchased an ethernet cable and USB-C adapter, and that did the trick. It still puzzles me what the issue might be, as the Wi-Fi runs smooth on all other devices I've tried. Nevertheless, I can live with this solution, as it's limited how often I need a rock solid connection. That being said, it's pretty disappointing having to spend about $75 on this, after purchasing a laptop for $4,200. With that price tag, I'd expect issues like these to not be lurking around. Oh well. Thanks again for the assistance!

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Answer 8

Andy0708 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 8, 2018 8:05 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Sorry for not getting back to you on that. The problem seems to be around even when I have no USB devices connected. The only cable that is plugged in, is the charging cable. I have verified that the cable is not affected by the issue you referenced, and I have no external displays connected. I do have a magic keyboard and magic trackpad connection over Bluetooth. That didn't cause any issues on my old MacBook, but that was also using an older version of Bluetooth (though I'd be surprised if a newer version was more sensitive to interference). I might have to contact my ISP to see if I can upgrade to 5 GHz, as that's not something I can do on my own, unfortunately.

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Answer 9

Nov 8, 2018 12:56 PM in response to Andy0708

RSSI (signal) of -50-ish is Excellent, you should not be having issues.

You are using channel 44 in the 5GHz band, far fewer issues here and no competition with baby monitors or bluetooth devices.

In the second pane, a transmit rate of "only" 350 is less than expected under such great conditions, and leads me to believe you may be on the same channel (or an overlapping channel) with one of your neighbors.

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