I thought I had a bad Mac at first as it just wouldn't find my 5G network so was stuck on 2.4G. Then I noticed it could see my neighbors 5G. I tried everything; changing channels, renaming the network, rebooting. I could swear I had tried slowing it down to 800 once with no effect but worked second time. I assume 800 is 40MHz and 1733 is 80? I am not up on the lingo. Anyhow, I have iPads, iPhones, another Mac that connect just fine to the the speed I had. It isn't the location of the Mac Mini as I brought it into the same room with the router, and it just flat out won't find it. Perhaps the Mac Mini is too sensitive. My new Mac supports 6E but I was happy with my router so fear upgrading and resetting up smartplugs, TVs, everything. (I assume I could get a new router, name the network the same and make password the same without going to every device, but not sure?) Anyone have any more suggestions. Would resetting the router help? How difficult to get back up and running again? Thanks.

If your not really using the higher speeds or have lots of devices using it, i'd keep what you have configured so the mini will work. At some point the 9000 will need to be retired and find you something that has 6E or even WiFi 7.

R9000 5 yo router isn't seen my Mac Mini M2 in 5G unless I slow down speed from 1700 to 800

11 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 01, 2023
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

Does the Mini see the routers SSID broadcast name?

Do you have Smart Connect enabled or disabled?

What channel configurations are currently set on the router?

800Mbps supports 80Mhz, 1733Mpbs supports 160Mhz.

Check with Apple to see if the Mini supports 160Mhz channel width...
- SRC54
  Tutor
  Sep 01, 2023
  The Mac Mini supports a, b, g, n, ac and ax. It is supposed to support 6E so I would assume it supports the fastest 5G. (I spent an afternoon with Apple Support and she ended up telling me the Mini didn't support 5G. I didn't believe her, and I was right.)
  
  That said the System report shows my 800 mbps speed as connected at 40MHz using ac.
  
  I am using Channel 157 but I tried them all and went back to 157.
  
  I have separate networks but also tried Smart Connect, and it only connected at 2.4 GHz when I had the 5G at 1733.
  
  I have the latest firmware 1.0.5.42.
  
  This is Spectrum 500 using their latest modem Docsis 3.1 Cable Modem.
  
  Thanks.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Sep 01, 2023
    If all other devices are working with 160Mhz enabled and this one is not, would point to something this one device is not working right or is not supporting of.
    
    You could try installing some 3rd party FW on the router to see if the may help or not:
    
    https://www.snbforums.com/forums/netgear-ac-wireless-wi-fi-5.53/
    
    Give Voxel's a try. You can revert back to stock at any time.

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R9000 5 yo router isn't seen my Mac Mini M2 in 5G unless I slow down speed from 1700 to 800