2018 Mac Mini bluetooth and Wi-Fi interference

Same problem here. I had thought that the Mac Mini 2018 was one of the few products that Apple were producing that didn't have an engineering defect in it. Apparently it isn't. I have a MacBook Pro as well as my Mini, any possible interference would affect that machine as well, as it sits DIRECTLY above where my Mini is located for most of the day. It has NONE of the same issues. Bent iPads, failing keyboards, internal cables that break, batteries that are suddenly being drained at a rapid rate on iOS devices, the list of hardware and software failures at this stage with Apple is too long to even list. I'm done with them. If they can't get their act together and make hardware and software free of defects, I'll spend my money elsewhere.

I’ve finally waved the white flag on this and purchased an Alienware 17R5 laptop for daily duties. The Mac Mini is now purely used for managing my photo library as I’ve not yet been able to find a suitable mechanism to relocate my photos into a Windows based application.

The 17R5 runs rings round the Mac for daily duties, faster to boot up, better for running Office apps, hugely better for games, but still suffers the occasional Windows OS quirk (one of which is supporting a .Mac mail address).

I've switched my MacMini to Ethernet, but the mouse performance on Bluetooth is still pitiful in respect of range and consistency, it’s started eating batteries which suggests there is a connectivity issue, the boot up time is terrible given the boot drive is SSD and all media is off board on an external SSD connected via thunderbolt. I run almost no extra apps beyond what the computer arrived with so it’s not filled with crap, and the boot SSD has at least 60% capacity remaining. Apps hang unexpectedly (iPhoto / Mail), so on the whole it’s been a fairly unsatisfactory ownership experience compared to my 2014 Mini.

Will try try and wrap the USB-C cable I am using for a hub (SD card slot & additional USB 3 ports), and if it doesn’t improve I’ll see if I can remove it until I need to use it.

Somewhat reassured it's not just my machine that is showing issues, but many thanks to everyone on here for the shared experiences and input, it’s much more helpful than Apple’s support.

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.

SO... has anyone had continued success with ANYTHING? FOUR months later, and problem persists. So disgusted at this.

surely there are cables out there with suitable shielding and grounding?

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.