Wifi issues? M1 Macbook Air or Pro

[Prorege1]

I bought the M1 macbook air in part because it was the first Apple computer to FINALLY support 802.11ax/WiFi 6. It is frustrating to find that when connected to my WiFi 6 router, the connection is slower than when connecting with 2.4GHz 802.11n. All of my other WiFi 6 devices connect much faster in the same location.... Is this an Apple hardware problem? or something that can be fixed in an OS update?

What type/brand of WiFi 6 router do you use?

 

[Dymond]

UPDATE: I think my problem is solved by deleting all files from /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ as per https://macreports.com/how-to-reset-network-settings-on-mac/
Fingers crossed

Yes!!! I've been following this thread and have tried every option from "unlock using watch", to SSID to 2.4 vs 5 and FINALLY, this option fixed it for me. Purchased the M1 MacBook Pro 16gb 512ssd on Thursday and was ready to throw it onto my driveway by Friday morning.

I've been using it non-stop since then and have had ZERO issues, where I needed to turn off and on my wifi every 15-45 seconds. For the record, I just did both options of removing the wifi interface as well as deleting the WIFI settings files. I think this has something to do with registering my iCloud account when I first turned on the MacBook Pro. There was definitely a bug because I couldn't make any changes in System Preferences after I registered my iCloud and everything just looked frozen and out of whack. I restarted the computer and voila, everything seemed to look normal. However, the big caveat was the wifi issues.

For those wondering, I have the Netgear Nighthawk Wifi 6 setup and didn't changes anything there as far as settings, still using auto 2.4ghz and 5ghz and the MacBook Pro is currently on WIFI 6, 5ghz and no issues at all now. Thank you homonto and especially the rest of you who took the time to document your trials and errors!!!

 

[banburowo]

Ah, well I am happy that I am not the only one to complain on the new MBA 5GHz connection issues ;/ I disabled the Apple Watch login function but it seems that still the issue occurs - not so often as earlier but still, it's kinda frustrating that all other devices are working correctly with the router (including 2017 ipad, iphones, lenovo thinkpad) and only the new macbook has issues ;/

I saw that people are trying macOS 11.2 beta - are you folks seeing network issues with updated os? I really hope this is an software issue and can be solved...

 

[spark plugs.]

check to see what chip the radios are in your router. I've found that my Verizon g3100 uses BCM43684. I've noticed that other people having the same problem have a router with this chip...such as Asus.

I switched to a Meraki router and haven't had issues since.

 

[banburowo]

My router chipset is CH7465LG and unfortunately my internet provider does not offer other devices.

I tried one more trick. i.e. deleting files from /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ - we'll see how this work in long run.

EDIT: does not work even in short run guess I will have to live with 2.4 GHz until there is a permanent fix for this ?‍♂️

 

[tonyr6]

My Wi-Fi disconnects every time I try to download a large file. I already tried it about 4 times already. Even connecting to Ethernet does not work any more unless I turn off Wi-Fi when connected to Ethernet.

 

[spark plugs.]

My Wi-Fi disconnects every time I try to download a large file. I already tried it about 4 times already. Even connecting to Ethernet does not work any more unless I turn off Wi-Fi when connected to Ethernet.

What wireless router?

 

[tonyr6]

What wireless router?

Netgear R7000 running FreshTomato Firmware 2020.8 K26ARM USB VPN-64K.

 

[aygie]

So...this might sound odd but can everyone with a Mac mini try this and see if you notice an improvement or change in your speeds, do a speed test with the Mac mini lifted off the desk or turned upside down and another with it flat on a surface.

Apparently the wifi adapter has been moved in the M1 to the bottom of the machine so after speaking to a former colleague who works at a support centre the first thing he said was stick it upside-down and see what happens...my speeds doubled (see attached). Literally lifting the machine of the desk and holding it in the air vs leaving flat on my desk made a massive difference.

It certainly doesn't fix the issues at all (my iPad speeds are still much better right next the M1 Mac mini) but interesting nonetheless.

 

[Landing]

Hello,

So I have a MBP M1 now. I noticed there are some serious issues with Bluetooth and Wifi.
So I am playing for example Stadia over wifi usually.

It works perfectly fine on my intel 16" but on the m1 it is a disaster...when I activate the bluetooth. And when I deactivate the bluetooth everything is going back to normal.

As you can see on the video, when I activate the bluetooth I end up having a ton of Packages lost, and frames drop.
What is going on with the combination wifi+bluetooth. It works well on the MBP 16" and iMac.

 

[Landing]

Hello,

So I have a MBP M1 now. I noticed there are some serious issues with Bluetooth and Wifi.
So I am playing for example Stadia over wifi usually.

It works perfectly fine on my intel 16" but on the m1 it is a disaster...when I activate the bluetooth. And when I deactivate the bluetooth everything is going back to normal.

As you can see on the video, when I activate the bluetooth I end up having a ton of Packages lost, and frame drop.
What is going on with the combination of wifi+bluetooth. It works well on the MBP 16" and iMac.

 

[Serban55]

Apple is on the latest beta of Big Sur patch...that is suppose to fix that...so , we think , next week on Tuesday the public release will be release

 

[Modernape]

Make sure you're using a 5Ghz wifi channel, I found my M1 much more sensitive to 2.4GHz/Bluetooth interference than my previous Intel model.

 

[Serban55]

Apple is on the latest beta of Big Sur patch...that is suppose to fix that...so , we think , next week on Tuesday the public release will be release

 

[Landing]

Make sure you're using a 5Ghz wifi channel, I found my M1 much more sensitive to 2.4GHz/Bluetooth interference than my previous Intel model.

I am always using 5Ghz as I have a 1Gbp internet connection. I use a google Nest Wifi router. It is working wonderfully well with my other devices but not with the M1 :/

 

[Serban55]

2.4Ghz never should be more sensitive than 5ghz, that is non-sense...arm smartphones are the same...
This is not related to 2.4 vs 5ghz....its about Big Sur soft related to the SoC connections....Apple is working on it...and expect this Tuesday maybe to be released

 

[Landing]

2.4Ghz never should be more sensitive than 5ghz, that is non-sense...arm smartphones are the same...
This is not related to 2.4 vs 5ghz....its about Big Sur soft related to the SoC connections....Apple is working on it...and expect this Tuesday maybe to be released

Fingers crossed!! It is really frustrating. I hope it is not a hardware related problem with the SoC

 

[Serban55]

Fingers crossed!! It is really frustrating. I hope it is not a hardware related problem with the SoC

yep, but lets continue this discussion on the other longer, thread
Im sure it will be fine....lets see what Apple come up with

 

[davidwolf]

I discovered today that I have the same WIFI issue on M1 macbook pro. I have to turn off wifi and then on again. Then wifi starts to work.

 

[Serban55]

"
macOS Big Sur‌ 11.2 improves Bluetooth reliability and fixes the following issues:
- External displays may show a black screen when connected to a Mac mini (M1, 2020) using an HDMI to DVI converter
- Edits to Apple ProRAW photos in the Photos app may not save
- iCloud Drive could turn off after disabling the ‌iCloud Drive‌ Desktop & Documents Folders option
- System Preferences may not unlock when entering your administrator password
- Globe key may not display the Emoji & Symbols pane when pressed"

So, expect that Big Sur 11.2 to be for public this Tuesday

 

[Modernape]

2.4Ghz never should be more sensitive than 5ghz, that is non-sense...

You need to do more research.

 

[tommy7600]

Today on stable 11.2 I had the same issue when I was updating Adobe package. So the issue is still there

 

[Stevie15]

I have updated to 11.2 now and and can confirm the WIFI issue is still happening. On the plus side my occasional Bluetooth headphone dropouts do seem to be now fixed. The release notes for 11.2 mention Bluetooth but not WIFI.

 

[lezmace]

Same here. WiFi is still losing connection.

 

[banburowo]

Installed 11.2 on my MBA yesterday, connected to 5GHz network since yesterday, no issues yet - hope that stays...

I even downloaded 22 GB file (Witcher 2 from gog.com) to check if connection breaks on larger downloads but apparently no.

I have bluetooth turned off though, maybe that's something worth investigating?