2018 Mac Mini bluetooth and Wi-Fi interference

Like you, upgraded from 2012 to 2018. A little sad and excited. Though six year, my 2012 (quad core) never missed a beat and everything - just worked.

Unfortunately, Wifi & Bluetooth dropouts on my 2018 model have been nothing but trouble. That is, until I changed my modem Wifi setting to 5ghz.

Since then, no drop outs. Older usb cables work and problem solved. If it wasn't for the forum, I would have taken it back. Struggled through for almost two months.

Still glad I upgraded, however, find myself thinking of the previous trouble free experience....

So, just today I *think* I've found out my problem. This doesn't answer all of the other problems with Apple Bluetooth mice nor Wi-Fi issues I've had both with this and with other computers in various places over the last few years, but let me explain what the mess I have in my setup (mostly behind my monitor):

2018 Mac Mini with 64Gb of RAM, fastest processor and 1TB SSD.

Core X GPU with Sapphire Pulse Vega 56 card.

LG 34" Curved Wide Screen display.

USB 2 hub attached with USB C adapter.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface (very common) now going through a ART DTI Dual Transformer/Isolator Audio Interface (thinking unbalanced wiring was both an audio and electronic interference issue).

Linksys Mesh network node nearby that I'm hard-wired into.

KRK Rockit 6 Audio Monitors.

Old Logitech Subwoofer from a 2.1 computer setup (this was the problem for me).

Furman Power conditioner with new Belkin power strips attached to. All power attached to this and into a possibly dirty ground.

While trying to move the new Mac Mini away from all of the above listed gear, I accidentally unplugged my subwoofer. My audio interference disappeared and so did my bluetooth issues.

I also did a speed test and my speed jumped by about 25% for the better.

I'll update if this changes.

This is a very well documented problem - in these forums if nothing else - but the problem *does not* lie with Apple.

The problem is the cut-rate, out-of-spec cords some third-party peripheral manufacturers are using. They 'leak' a signal in the 2.4 GHz range, and that is what bluetooth and Wi-Fi use. The only solution is to go buy high-quality, non-leaking cables to replace the low-quality cabling some manufacturers use.

Now we shall address the 'why didn't this happen to my x' line of thought. Technology moves forward, and to a lesser extent and slower so does governmental regulation. I am willing to wager the hurdles Apple had to overcome to win FCC acceptance of their designs were different in 2010, 2012 and even 2015 than in 2018. Some of the wording that you will see may be along the lines of 'this device must accept interference', and truly it must to obtain the FCC certification. The testing standard is probably different over time. This may explain why newer Macs seem to 'cause' problems while older ones do not.

In any event, it is very, very rare for a Mac to be the true cause of either bluetooth or Wi-Fi problems.

I have the same issue caused by external Inateck enclosures with SSD drives. Turned out to be the USB-A cable provided by Inateck. I replaced by another Ugreen USB-A cable and I don't have any interferences anymore so it seems to be a problem with the cables maybe because of a low interference tolerance of bluetooth of the Mac mini.

Regards,

Alex

High noise = Interference.

I started untangling and unplugging cables. I untangled the monitor cable and had it run away from everything else. The noise decreased to -77 dBM. This is still high but it was enough to improve the Wifi speed to 15 Mbps.

Then, I unplugged all of the cables from the Mac Mini and turned off the monitor. Then, I used Remote Desktop to connect to the Mac Mini. The noise went down to -93 dBM (identical to the laptop noise). The Wifi speed was 15 Mbps but Remote Desktop was using some of the bandwidth. Therefore, it was probably really 20 Mbps.

Now, when I plug the monitor into the laptop computer, the Wifi signal for the laptop goes down to -77 dBM

So, the interference is from the wires. Problem was reproduced on laptop (MacBook Pro 15), so I can't really blame the Mac Mini as the problem.

I hope that my explanation of my testing is clear enough to show others how to troubleshoot if they have similar problems.

So, I guess that I need to try using a Wifi booster to get a better signal to over power the noise and/or upgrade my WiFi to 801.11ac.

Also, I need better shielded cables. When purchasing cables, how do you know which have better shielding?

UPDATE.... I've been systematically removing each device with no luck.

However, once I remove one of my monitors, it works no problems. I have dual monitors set up... one plugged directly into HDMI port, one using the Apple dongle. When both monitors are plugged in and working, there are issues. When only one monitor (either one) is plugged in, everything works fine. Seems to be a problem with my Mac Mini supporting two monitors. Calling Apple again :(

Like you, upgraded from 2012 to 2018. A little sad and excited. Though six year, my 2012 (quad core) never missed a beat and everything - just worked.

Unfortunately, Wifi & Bluetooth dropouts on my 2018 model have been nothing but trouble. That is, until I changed my modem Wifi setting from to 5ghz.

No drop outs. Older usb cables work and problem solved. If it wasn't for the forum, I would have taken it back. Struggled through for almost two months.

Still glad I upgraded, however, find myself thinking of the previous trouble free experience....

In the end these ferrite rings solved ~ 85% of the problem.

Finally, this type of rf blocking fabric seems to have squelched the other 15%. Three sides of the mini are shielded by fabric to eliminate interference from DirecTv receiver, external hard drive, and below the mini for good measure. The fabric was trimmed and placed on the walls of the computer cabinet with double stick tape so that it looks better than aluminum foil and is not apparent on a quick glance (the wife tolerates it so, it can't be too bad). Not intending to advertise Amazon, but I found these items there. It did take $50 worth of add-ons and about six months to get to this point. Sure seems like Apple could have taken care of this on a $2300 computer.

Happened to me also. I disconnected a powered USB-3 Hub and Wifi worked. I changed it for another HUB and i had no problems connecting to Wifi.

Update: deleted all the Bluetooth settings from my mac:

sudo rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist

sudo rm ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/*Bluetooth*

Hold down shift+option on the Bluetooth menu item and choose Debug... Reset the Bluetooth Module.

Then I deleted all my Bluetooth devices and rebooted.

Haven't had a glitch since but will report back if so.

Update... after several days of testing, I've FINALLY managed to keep the magic mouse connected. EVERY SINGLE cable is wrapped in aluminum foil about 6 - 7 " from the connector at the back of the mac. AND, the USB-C hub is also wrapped in foil as well. If any of these cables are not wrapped, it drops. WiFi speeds are averaging 50 - 60 mbps. (BTW... my wired computer maxes out at 500Mbps every time).

Been talking with several people at IT places. They have noticed that a lot of new laptops (that have USB-C connectors) have the insides of their cases sprayed with a copper paint. Perhaps coating the cables with a product like that might help and would look better than it does now.

I posted on this thread about my experiences with Magic Mouse and new mini. I have two hubs, one is expensive Belkin 4 port USB3 hub with beefy looking cable and the other is a cheapo Chinese with very thin USB cable.

Belkin interferes, with or without devices attached. Cheapo Chinese, zero mouse issues.

How is the HP monitor connected?

Can you try another connection method?

Can you try another monitor as a test?

Same Problem, but I think that I could solve it.

I used an USB hub (Type A) and I changed it today with an USB Hub with USB-C Connector.

No Issues anymore.

I was using a powered Anker USB dock that was causing. The major problem. I still have a little mouse issue when I move the mouse more than a foot from the Mac mini. I have not disconnected more USB devices because I need everything else but wound another dock