Mac Mini M4 Wifi unresponsive

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Level 1

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Mac Mini M4 Wifi unresponsive

I have a Mac Mini since 4 days ago and it had already presented wifi problems.

After some hours of working perfectly the Mac Mini disconnects from Wifi and sometimes bluetooth as well. When that happens, I go to Settings/WIFI and I find that the toggle is disabled and greyed out (I cannot enable it) and also shows a "red dot" saying "not available".

The first time it happened, I restarted the computer and everything went back to normal. However, now even with a restart, the WIFI does not recover.

I have found some threads in reddit showing up the same problem. Does anybody have experienced something like this? What can I do?

Thanks!

Mac mini, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 26, 2024 1:31 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

82,594 points

Nov 26, 2024 8:10 PM in response to Escarcha

Good work spotting the issue.

It is a know fact that high speed USB devices and cables can cause both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interference.

see > Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference - Apple Support

This problem is worse with the Mac mini's than other Mac's because the antenna is built into the bottom cover and in close proximity to the high speed ports. One thing to try is to stand the Mac mini on it's side with the bottom facing the router and then place your USB devices and cables on the opposite side. If standing the Mac mini on it's side is not an option, try replacing the LaCie cable with a better shielded cable and move it to the opposite side of the Mac mini.

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Answer 2

Escarcha Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2024 4:22 PM in response to hcsitas

Thanks for your answer. while you are might be right, I had continued some test and realized that the Wifi disconnection has something to do with a Lacie external HDD (Lacie 2big Quadra, USB 3.0) that I had connected with a USB-C to a USB-A converter.

A moment ago, when the Wifi became unresponsive again, I disconnected the Lacie and everything went back to normal. also, If I keep it connected, it even provokes a Mac mini restart. I have read in other posts that HDD could potentially cause interference in the antennas. The thing is that I have been working with his Lacie for the past 2 days and until yesterday I haven't experienced any issue.

Besides, I have tried with another external HDD through (WD MyBook) and no issues. Does this means I have to throw the Lacie to the garbage? a pretty expensive garbage though...

Let me add some pictures for you to see at what state the Lacie puts the Mac mini into...

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,258 points

Nov 26, 2024 4:59 PM in response to Escarcha

BTW, do you have any of the following third party apps installed on your Mac?

• Antivirus Apps

• Cleaning Apps

• Security Apps

• VPN Apps

• Maintenance Apps

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Answer 4

hcsitas

Level 6

12,914 points

Nov 26, 2024 3:51 AM in response to Escarcha

This is a tough one. Assuming the problem is unique to your new Mini and doesn’t happen to an older Mac placed at the same place, I would return it first, then ask questions.

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