2018 Mac mini Wifi Issues

5G is faster but shorter range. You did not mention what router you have. I use a new Tri- band router with 6 antennas and the range is much better using my 2012 Mini and 5G band. With many new routers you can designate specific network bands in the router setup and force your Mini to use that one (e.g. 2.4). Your Mini should see that network that you specify.

Do you really need a hub? All Thunderbolt ports support regular USB for data. Which means a total of 6 USB ports (assuming you aren't using Thunderbolt ports for display or dock). This adapter or similar.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter

I couldn’t connect WiFi on my new Mac mini for a couple weeks and I discovered that a usb hub was causing the problem. This same hub was used on my old iMac without any problems. I recently bought a different brand hub that I haven’t tried yet.

Not sure why you need a USB hub when there are 6 ports available. Remember, all TB ports are convertible to regular USB ports using Apple’s adapter.

At any rate, what WiFi band are you using? With 5 GHz you won’t have this problem.

I was switching over from an old iMac where I previously was using the hub for usb flash drives. Several years ago I replaced the drive in my old iMac with a 256GB ssd which never had enough space so I had a hub. The particular hub that caused wifi disfunction on the mac mini is the Sabrent HB-MAC3. This hub worked great on my old iMac. Since ssd prices have dropped greatly this past year I bought and connected a 1TB one to the mini and I no longer need the hub for flash drives. You're correct about the ports on the mini though and several weeks ago I bought adapters. I suspect that many other users of the mac mini are having the same problem with their wifi and are unaware of the usb hub problem. I would add that I suspected that it was a problem with the mini and not a modem/router problem because the mini would also not connect to my smartphone as a hotspot. Everything seems to be working well now but people should be aware of potential usb hub conflicts.

The Sabrent has plenty on this topic, please see here and scroll to the “Please Note” section:

https://www.sabrent.com/product/HB-MAC3/4-port-aluminum-usb-3-0-hub-30-cable-silver/#description

The short summary is: USB hub issues are not the 2018 Mini’s problem. They’re also unnecessary. Connect SSDs/flashes direct and you should be fine!

I'm still having this issue.. I bought 2018 mac mini when they came out... Worked with Apple customer support for couple days.. with no luck... some how i was able to connect to 5G (2.4G doesn't even show up). So didn't take it to apple store for their analysis... Internet worked fine for 4 weeks.

Since yesterday my mac mini won't connect to internet... (2.4G doesn't even show up)

Is there a solution for this?

I did try rebooting and resetting router but no help.

Note# From the same place where mac mini runs.. i have my macbook pro which detect both 2.4g and 5g and connect to them without issues.

I also tried Verizon wifi dongle... to see if i can connect to this..Mac mini doesn't even detect the network.. very weird behavior..

I was searching online for this issue last night.

Came across few forums where they were complaining about USB HUB's & External Hard drives connected to new mac devices... are blocking the 2.4G network on the mac's...

This morning i removed both the USB HUB & External hard drive.. restarted my mac mini... Now I'm able to see 2.4G network and connect to it without issues.

I'll try to troubleshoot which of the above two devices was actually blocking my network... later this evening.

I just ordered usb c to usb 3 hub. How to know which one are bad..

Its very strange never ran into this issue in the past 15+ years..

Any recommendation on regular USB hub's?

I have my mouse, web cam, editing tool all of them have USB cable. (not USB C)

Thanks for your response...

You meant to say.. Use Thunderbolt 3 (which is nothing but USB C) to USB Hub?

In your example you provided USB C to USB adapter.

The one I ordered is similar USB C to USB hub.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FLXJKPP/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Currently I was using USB to USB HUB ( 3 USB Ports)

I rarely had any wifi problems with the numerous windows and mac computers, laptops, and tablets that I have around the house. The mac mini that I bought has wifi problems however. I may end up just using an ethernet cable.

I was using below usb hub with my macbook pro for more than a year.. never had issues.

But with new mac mini.. this USB Hub is blocking 2.4G network...

Once i removed the USB hub... i can see and connect to 2.4G without issues....

I just read the reviews for this HUB.. there are complaints about it...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072R4M3VQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For now... USB HUB seems to be the culprit... causing my wifi connectivity issue...

Will monitor for few weeks and update everyone.. hopefully i'll not come across any wifi issues...

there is no such thing as an usb wifi antenna they are usb wifi netcards which require a driver to work so if you get one make sure they support macOS

I have the same problem, and I solve it by disconnecting all usb and thunderbolt ports. But the problem returns after 5-10 minutes. I think it's hardware problem like on new MacBook Pro