MR6450 and MacBook M2 don't connect on 6GHz

[jraffel]

Hi Netgear,

I got the new MR6450 and a new MacBook Pro M2 both are able of Wifi 6e on 6GHz (tested that with other devices) but they just don't work together on Wifi 6e 6GHz. Why?

Cheers Jörn

NTGX65_10.04.25.00

macos 13.2.1 (22D68)

[plemans]

So everything but the macbook works on the 6ghz?

Seems to point a finger at some setting on the macbook causing issues. 

did you contact apple?

[jraffel]

No actually the MacBook Pro works totally fine with a AXE5400 Tri-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6E Router. Insane DL speed and nice Ping.

[plemans]

So then I'm confused what issue you're having. 

A little more clarity might help for what the issue is. 

[Mouze64]

I'm experiencing the same. 

MacBookPro M2 works perfectly with my WIFI 6E rooter at home.

But the same MacBookPro with Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6450 (bought in France) doesn't even see the WIFI6 signal...

Please help.

[michaelkenward]

---

@Mouze64 wrote:

But the same MacBookPro with Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6450 (bought in France) doesn't even see the WIFI6 signal...

---

Are you familiar with this?

NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Apple Devices FAQ - NETGEAR Communities

[Mouze64]

I have the issue with macOS and not iOS nor iPadOS, but I’ll try

[W1lliam]

Tried with NTGX65_12.01.05.00 with Dell laptop (installed Intel AX210) has no issue with WiFi6E connection, works as expected. You might want to upgrade your FW over latest version

[michaelkenward]

---

@W1lliam wrote:

Tried with NTGX65_12.01.05.00 with Dell laptop (installed Intel AX210) has no issue with WiFi6E connection, works as expected.

---

A lot of problems reported here with 6 GHz wifi have been down to the drivers for the WiFi. Dell and Mac are completely different.

I still think that @plemans was on the right track.

[W1lliam]

Suggest to have MR6450 landed on PSC channel to see if that improves, I am having 2.4+6G set to WiFi profile

[Mouze64]

On MacOS take out the "limit IP tracking" is only possible when you are connected to the WIFI network...

Here the issue is that the WIFI6E from M6 PRO MR6450 is not even visible...

So this solution is not applicable.

[Mouze64]

I have the NTGX65_12.01.05.00

PRI 01.07

Nothing newer available

[Mouze64]

Which track you're referring to ?

[Mouze64]

I'm with 2.4 and 6 

It's in VHT 160 for 6 = not visible

I tried VHT80 = same problem

I tried in HT40 = same problem

No other option available 

[W1lliam]

What channel you did for MR6450? Mine is working set on Auto and 37 (PSC channel), for VHT160

[ArodiDalpz]

Hi @Mouze64 ,

Do you have the power adapter plugged in whilst you are trying to use the 6GHz band?

[Mouze64]

I tried both (with or without power plugged)

[Mouze64]

Channel is on auto for VHT6O

But there is no parameter "PSC Channel" 

[W1lliam]

CH37 is PSC channel, you can try to set the channel

[Mouze64]

I set channel 37 for 6 GHz, but still not visible. Only 2.4 Ghz is visible.

I also tried to wait more than 15' and nothing appears...

[W1lliam]

Let me check on packets sent by MR6450 and Netgear RAXE500 to see if anything different which might be causing such problem, stay tuned.  

[W1lliam]

Two possible difference, from its beacon frame, MR6450 default country code is not US, not sure if that is playing a role here. The second, its TX Power envelope has something wrong, tag length was wrong, as below -

Tag: Tx Power Envelope
Tag Number: Tx Power Envelope (195)
Tag length: 5
Tx Pwr Info: 0x53
.... .011 = Max Tx Pwr Count: 3
..01 0... = Max Tx Pwr Unit Interpretation: Unknown (2)
01.. .... = Reserved: 1
Local Max Tx Pwr Constraint 20MHz: 30.0 dBm
Local Max Tx Pwr Constraint 40MHz: 30.0 dBm
Local Max Tx Pwr Constraint 80MHz: 30.0 dBm
Local Max Tx Pwr Constraint 160MHz/80+80 MHz: 30.0 dBm
Tag: Tx Power Envelope
Tag Number: Tx Power Envelope (195)
Tag length: 9
[Expert Info (Error/Malformed): VHT TX PWR Envelope IE length 9 wrong, must be >= 2 and <= 5]
[VHT TX PWR Envelope IE length 9 wrong, must be >= 2 and <= 5]
[Severity level: Error]
[Group: Malformed]
Tag: Tx Power Envelope
Tag Number: Tx Power Envelope (195)
Tag length: 9
[Expert Info (Error/Malformed): VHT TX PWR Envelope IE length 9 wrong, must be >= 2 and <= 5]
[VHT TX PWR Envelope IE length 9 wrong, must be >= 2 and <= 5]
[Severity level: Error]
[Group: Malformed]

Need to get Netgear staff to check with their internal team

[Mouze64]

I've sent your message to Support but they didn't answer.

They called me today to test all 6GHz channel (instead of 'auto'). With the new update there are less channels available.

But the WIFI6 remains invisible... 😞 

[W1lliam]

It might need Netgear engineering team to get a Mac machine to verify on why it is not working