Ridiculously slow Wi-Fi on new Mac Mini M2??

[martin2345uk]

Got a M2 Mac Mini today, set it up, it's literally next to the router on the desk...

Speed test result: 4.85 Mbps
Result on Macbook Air M1 on the same desk: 34.86 Mpbs

What gives?

 

[martin2345uk]

edit: it can't even handle a MacRumors forum page at all now, just get Page could not be loaded. Not impressed so far :-/

 

[BrianBaughn]

For posterity and perhaps suggestions…router model, WiFi network type and the internet speed you get with your ISP.

 

[martin2345uk]

Router is a Sky one, it's only a couple of months old, I don't know how to find the mode?

I also don't know what Wifi Network type is or how I would find that?

I get around 50Mbps on WiFi on my iOS devices....

 

[martin2345uk]

I've ordered an ethernet cable to see if that will help? I am not fussed whether it's cabled or wireless but I would like to be able to at least browse the internet

 

[PaulD-UK]

Option-click on the wifi symbol on the Mac's top right menu bar.
That should give you details of the wifi connection you have.

 

[martin2345uk]

Is this the info?

 

[BrianBaughn]

The signal looks good. That's a 5GHz network. Is that the Mini?

If it's on the same desk as the router you should definitely use Ethernet. You'll also be able to actually see what kind of speed your ISP is providing.

The Sky router probably has a 2.4GHz as well as a 5GHz Wifi network. It's possible that they have the same name (SSID). If so, use your router's firmware to change one of them so you'll know which one you're connecting to.

 

[HDFan]

Are there a lot of WiFi networks close to you?

 

[PaulD-UK]

I’ve seen Sky internet drop out at peak periods (like Sun evening) but your MBA would also be slow.

 

[martin2345uk]

The signal looks good. That's a 5GHz network. Is that the Mini?

If it's on the same desk as the router you should definitely use Ethernet. You'll also be able to actually see what kind of speed your ISP is providing.

The Sky router probably has a 2.4GHz as well as a 5GHz Wifi network. It's possible that they have the same name (SSID). If so, use your router's firmware to change one of them so you'll know which one you're connecting to.

Yes that’s the mini. As for doing that firmware thing I honestly don’t have a clue what that means or how to do that, I’m reluctant to mess with the router! :-/

Are there a lot of WiFi networks close to you?

Not really no, 3 or 4 show up in the WiFi networks list…

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Got a M2 Mac Mini today, set it up, it's literally next to the router on the desk...

Speed test result: 4.85 Mbps
Result on Macbook Air M1 on the same desk: 34.86 Mpbs

What gives?

Call Apple tech support first, not internet fora. It's free except for your time, and if a real issue exists you are establishing a record and a timeline.

 

[telecomm]

There are a lot of posts about this issue. One thing that seems to be a common theme is that the Mini is particularly sensitive to nearby electronics. In my case, moving my computer speakers further away from my Mini made a big difference. I've seen others report that lesser quality HDMI cables are also a potential issue. Good luck!

 

[PaulD-UK]

If there was HDMI etc interference would the mini's wifi menu drop-down show Noise: -82 dBm and TX Rate: 866mbps?

 

[telecomm]

If there was HDMI etc interference would the mini's wifi menu drop-down show Noise: -82 dBm and TX Rate: 866mbps?

Possibly. My wifi stats always looked fine, but pinging the router would show significant packet loss.

 

[martin2345uk]

Okay so I just swapped the HDMI cable I bought for the mini, with the one my partner uses in the office upstairs...

I am now getting speeds of 64Mbps!!!!!?

So it looks like it was the cable after all?!

 

[Fishrrman]

Another Fishrrman "completely stupid™" question.

If the Mini is sitting near the router, why not just connect it using an Ethernet cable and be done with it?

 

[martin2345uk]

Because at the time of writing a) I didn’t have an Ethernet cable and b) I didn’t know there would be any WiFi issues