2018 Mac Mini bluetooth and Wi-Fi interference

Ok.

Then please explain why everyone isn't having the same problem. In fact, that thread played out exactly as I have claimed, which is a faulty cable being to blame. I am not saying it is impossible for Apple to be at fault and your Mini may, in fact, be broken. I merely pointed out that was a very, very rate occurrence and what a far more likely cause is known to be.

I did not know about option key + WiFi icon gave that type of information. That is cool.

I have attached screenshots. When it was done the two computers were physically about 6 inches from one another.

I want to also note that prior to doing this, I reset the follwoing:

(1) Bluetooth Module

Press shift-option and click on bluetooth icon,

then select debug -> Reset the bluetooth module)

(2) SMC

Shut down computer, then press power button and hold for 10 seconds,

then release, then press power button for 1 second to turn on computer.

After doing these the WiFi speed improved somewhat, from 2 Mbps to 10 Mbps. However, this is still half the WiFi speed that I am getting from the laptop at the same location.

Now, to the WiFi diagnostics. It is interesting to see that the Mac Mini actually has a stronger WiFi signal at -59 dBm (lower negative number is stronger) compared to the laptop WiFi which is -66 dBM. However, the noise on the Mac Mini is much higher at -74 dBM versus -93 dBm.

Can someone please explain what this means?

My problem was inconsistent, variable and slow internet speeds. The ferrite cores from Amazon shown below solved my problem. I'm not sure what the culprit was but installing these ferrite cores on power, data, and ethernet cables solved the issue. It's been 4 days now with no problems. That $12 purchase fixed what was beginning to look like a $2300 mistake. I saw them mentioned on a forum, but I don't remember which one.

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.

I just setup my 2018 Mac Mini. Right away WiFi won’t connect. It says that it requires a WPA2 password. I’m not sure what that means but I’m trying to troubleshoot. A long Ethernet will show up later today and I expect it to fix all issues but at the same time I want the WiFi to work.

Just bought a new 2018 Mac Mini, and am having the same issues. While using Wifi along with the original Magic Trackpad, and older apple wireless keyboard, all three disconnect/reconnect every minute or so. My issues also go away if I use ethernet, but that isn't an ideal solution for me. Looking forward to a fix. Thanks.

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

Same issue here. I have a LOT of equipment jammed behind an LG 34" curved monitor. I got the LG because I thought the Dell 34" Ultrasharp was the issue (a work provided monitor). I think it got worse. I also have KRK studio monitors that are picking up a lot of interference as well so I'm battling a lot of issues.

I'm getting longer cables to get the mini away from other things - though it is going to be messy.

After dropping around $4K on this thing, I'm am more than a bit disappointed to hear I'm not the only one having the issue. The same setup with a MacBookPro Mid-2015 did not have the problem.

That is a good point. I 'assumed' it work as well or better than the 2015 product, as I also assume others have. I may just return it while I still have time if this is one of their normal 'first release' problems.

I replaced my first Mac Mini and the replacement is definitely better but not perfect. The system still loses the mouse and occasionally locks for a minute and then unlocks--something is wrong for sure.

I too am on my second Mini and the second one is better but I have yet to get it working as well as my other Apple products. My desk has now everything spread out and looks a mess to trying and improve it.

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.