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Mac mini 2018 Bluetooth issues?

pinkoos said:
G-tech external SSD via USB-C
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I’d be careful hanging a device like that, it almost certainly puts strain on the port.
[doublepost=1556857399][/doublepost]I’ve ordered a BT USB module, I’ll try it plugged into the back of a monitor’s hub first, or find a USB make-to-female cable if that still has interference.

Will report back once it arrives.
 
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TLDR: yes its crappy we have to do this, but it's one of the easier and cheaper problems I've ever had to solve.

Ok, the package (with a lot of other stuff too) arrived today. I've plugged the Bluetooth module into the back of one monitor (they have a few USB-A ports on the 'bottom' near the HDMI/DP/mDP/Power/ USB-B for upstream ports, and one on the 'back', which is a lot easier to get to. As I've shown previously (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/post-your-mac-mini-setups.2157018/page-3#post-26894919) the mini is on the far left, and as you look at them the easily accessible USB-A port on the monitors is on the left (so one is above the left speaker in the photo from the post above, one is above the wooden phone/tablet stand on the desk), so I used the one on the right monitor, which puts it about 25cm/10" from the mouse/keyboard. I've also tested it with AirPods (which never worked reliably with the built-in BT) and they were flawless.
 
It’s disheartening to see how much Tim Cook neglects hardware quality these days. MacBook keyboards, Mac mini Bluetooth issues, iPad Pro 10.5 bright spot, MBP flexgate...customers shouldn’t have to deal with any of these.
 
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Stephen.R said:
In case anyone wonders (I know I did, because who expects to need a dongle for BT in 2019!?), the one I bought is https://invadeit.co.th/product/comp...ini-bluetooth-4-0-usb-dongle-bta-403-p020055/, which apparently uses a Qualcom CSR8510 controller.
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Does anyone know how to make the Mac successfully continue to use the dongle after each computer reboot?

I have an ASUS USB-BT400 dongle. I can get my Mac to switch over to it if I plug it in after being already unplugged (may be required to switch via the Apple developer app Bluetooth Explorer after replugging it), but that will (1) require a re-pairing of the Bluetooth devices and (2) will not persist after reboot.

So after each reboot I need re-plug the dongle, change which Bluetooth to use in Bluetooth Explorer and then re-pair the devices again. This is pretty much prohibitive.

This question thread suggested to use a NVRAM Terminal command to make the switch persist, but it didn't work for me: https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...uetooth-dongle-instead-of-built-in-controller
 
Winterflags said:
Does anyone know how to make the Mac successfully continue to use the dongle after each computer reboot?
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Bluetooth Explorer states the selection you make only lasts until reboot.
By accident I think I have found a solution, albeit an expensive one.
I received my Caldigit TS3 Plus yesterday. After installing & connecting all my USB devices to the Caldigit, I have had no glitches with my trackpad or mouse. Fingers crossed!
 
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Ajcobb said:
I tried this, and it was poorer than the built in. It was interesting that after I reloaded my time machine backup, that it worked much better for a short time.
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My solution seems to be a Logitech M510 mouse that doesn’t use Bluetooth. This solution was recommended by a Genius Bar employee who said it was time to think outside the box. This is the only Apple employee who was close to admitting that Apple designed a defective product. I wish I remembered his name (the Genius Bar bounced me to 3 people) because the product he asked me to try seems to have worked. Now what to do with the Magic Mouse that doesn’t work???????
 
Just wanted to throw my experience in. 2018 MM i5/16/256. Plugged in USB 3 (Type A) Lacie hard drive and instantly had issues with 1st gen Magic Mouse and trackpad. Both with so much lag they were unusable. Switched to Type A hub, a solid Aukey one, same issue. Used a wired corsair M65 to ease the anger briefly. Thought about sending it back. Been reading all of the internet about this issue. Even closed off my 2.4 wifi (did nothing to help).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NH134L6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon basic USB 3 extension in USB port to hub. FIXED! No need to move hub away 3 foot or anything, just having the gold plated cable in has fixed all issues.

Ok, I know this is not ideal etc and Apple dropped the ball with USB power and bluetooth chips fighting each other, but if you want a cheap fix to use the ports and move on with your MM life, this is worth a shout. Sorted all my bluetooth issues out instantly. I've stuck one of these in each USB port and off I go.
 
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Mini i7 with 32gb RAM here. Mac mini is mounted underneath the desk, magic keyboard 2 and trackpad 2 rested on a sliding tray, and I experienced consistent bluetooth dropouts. I tried most of the methods described in this thread (not using the outermost USB-A port, repositioning the Mac, using the other USBA port, etc) to no avail. I forgot who it was that mentioned using the monitor as a hub, but I connected my Mac mini to my monitor via USBC, and connected a USBA hub to the monitor itself (I have an LG 43" UD79-B monitor). So far, so good, no dropouts whatsoever.
 
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Stephen.R said:
Hmmm maybe it's not actually. I need to double check this. I'll report back later.
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Ok, so even when I thought I was using the USB BT module, I wasn't.

I am now - I haven't noticed any specific lagginess with the KB/Mouse like I sometimes saw with the built-in BT, but it was a bit of faffing about to get them recognised when I cut over (thankfully the lightning charge cable also apparently works to run/setup the keyboard).

However, the two issues now: I can't pair my phone, (it tries but fails, reliably) and (I assume) because of that, unlock via Apple Watch no longer works. I'm going to try running ethernet and turn off wifi for a bit, see if that improves things with the built-in module.
 
Stephen.R said:
Ok, follow up - I turned "unlock via Apple Watch" off and then back on, and it now works again, using the USB BT module.
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Ok followup to the followup.

Unlock with Watch stopped working again (possibly the same day I posted the above actually) - it will *try* but always fail now.

Also, my AirPods connected (not automatically mind you) but then wouldn't play audio - they weren't even selectable as an Audio Source in the system sound settings or in the iTunes Airplay menu.

I'm back to using the stock BT module, and I'll hopefully get around to trying it without Wifi later this week.
 
Specification: Mac Mini/2018/i5/256gb/8GB ram - only Magic Mouse (White) drop the BT connection from time to time or randomly, what i've noticed that my Logitech Keboard K380 never drop BT connection just the mouse :rolleyes:

Few days ago i ordered Logitech Master MX 2S - without need to use usb cable or dongle, so far BT look good but logitech software still contain bugs.
 
Hey guys. I bought a 2018 MacMini before Christmas but only got around to moving over from my old MacPro a couple of months ago. I've had a lot of issues with WiFi and Bluetooth ever since. AirPods disconnecting and poor audio, Apple Watch not unlocking the Mini and worst of all, WiFi not working. The problems only seem to happen when my external HD's are plugged in. These are USB-3 HD's but i still have the problems even when i use an adapter to plug them into the USB-C ports. As soon as i plug in one of my HD's the WiFi and Dropbox icons in the menu bar immediately dim. I've already put a lot of money into this thing, extra RAM, external HD's, etc and i just don't know what to do now. I really don't want to put any more money into this but if i got an USB-C external SSD like the Samsung T5, will i still have these issues? I've read all the comments here but i'm not sure if i'd still have problems with a USB-C drive.
 
Stephen.R said:
You could try a different USB cable. Startech sell some that are specifically listed as being shielded to prevent interference.
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Thanks. I'll check those out. I had planned on getting external SSD's eventually. Can anyone tell me if USB-C drives also cause the WiFi + BT issues?
 
Encountered this issue. My setup is as follows: Mac Mini, Apple trackpad, wired keyboard, connected to a LG monitor via HDMI. Encounter frequent disconnects with the trackpad. The other day, I connected my JBL speaker via bluetooth and the wifi (2.4Ghz) stopped working! I connected the Mini via USB-C and this problem went away.

The other issue I see is that my monitor does not wake up if the Mini has slept for long or was restarted. While I used to get this working by rebooting the Mini multiple number of times, I recently found out that the screen comes back up if I "reset" the LG screen (a menu option available in LG monitor settings.) Never had this problem before with either the 2015 MBP or the 2018 MBP
 
I've been using a Mac mini since January and am problems.
I'm using the last-gen apple bluetooth keyboard and it is now regularly dropping in and out. I don't get it, the batteries are new and the keyboard is at most 30cm away. I'm now using a Logitech MX mouse and am wondering if that is the cause.
 
Minxy said:
I've been using a Mac mini since January and am problems.
I'm using the last-gen apple bluetooth keyboard and it is now regularly dropping in and out. I don't get it, the batteries are new and the keyboard is at most 30cm away. I'm now using a Logitech MX mouse and am wondering if that is the cause.
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After my latest experiences, I would give up on the Bluetooth, and find a Logitech keyboard that doesn’t use Bluetooth. I am still using my Apple keyboard, but if it starts having the same issues as my mouse, I will go to Logitech. After my months of talking with Apple, and their being no help, I would not recommend asking them for help.
 
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futurevibe said:
Hey guys. I bought a 2018 MacMini before Christmas but only got around to moving over from my old MacPro a couple of months ago. I've had a lot of issues with WiFi and Bluetooth ever since. AirPods disconnecting and poor audio, Apple Watch not unlocking the Mini and worst of all, WiFi not working. The problems only seem to happen when my external HD's are plugged in. These are USB-3 HD's but i still have the problems even when i use an adapter to plug them into the USB-C ports. As soon as i plug in one of my HD's the WiFi and Dropbox icons in the menu bar immediately dim. I've already put a lot of money into this thing, extra RAM, external HD's, etc and i just don't know what to do now. I really don't want to put any more money into this but if i got an USB-C external SSD like the Samsung T5, will i still have these issues? I've read all the comments here but i'm not sure if i'd still have problems with a USB-C drive.
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I had similar problems. Reinstalling the OS from Recovery mode fixed my wifi problems with my 2018 Mac mini. I plugged in my trackpad and keyboard to “fix” the Bluetooth drops.
 
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Followup: I have had the same issues as everyone else with Bluetooth connectivity until I did the below and for the last month or so it has worked fine with my Magic Mouse (AA) and Magic Keyboard. I had gone thru the Support procedure and they had me reset this and delete that but nothing they directed me to do helped. After reading this and other forums this worked:

1: Stopped using the outside USB-A port. Actually I leave my Lightning cable plugged in here to charge my iPhone or keyboard when needed but most of the time that is not connected. I have 2 USB hubs, a USB-C one (connected to the remaining USB-A port) and a USB-3 one for peripherals etc.

2: Relocated external devices under the desk. I have a standing desk and I bought one of those clamp-on monitor stands but installed it upside down to use it as an under-desk shelf or nest. I put both of my TimeMachine hard drives, my switch, one of the USB hubs, the power supplies for all three monitors and a power strip on that shelf to keep them away from the Mac Mini which remains on the desktop. Not only does this separate the computer from the stuff it makes things much less cluttered on the desktop.

So far the last month or so things have worked fine and I have not had any issues. I was very close to returning my Mac Mini and going either to a NUC or an iMac but when this seems to have fixed my issue I am satisfied with the performance of the Mini.
 
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This thread had me very worried, but I've had my i7/32/512 MM for a week now and have had no Bluetooth problems whatsoever. I am using all new (space gray) peripherals: Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2.

I also connected a Dualshock (PS4) controller via Bluetooth that I will use for emulation/retro gaming. It's connected fine but I haven't been able to spend much time with it yet and I'll update this post if I have any problems.

edit to add: I have nothing plugged into the Mini except an HDMI cable, fwiw.
 
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Mine seems to works fine until i plug in my USB-3 HD. Someone posted this from Apple earlier in the thread: https://support.apple.com/en-ie/HT201542

It mentions limiting USB-3 devices potential to interfere. Does this mean USB-C devices don't interfere with BT and WiFI?

I'm thinking of getting a Samsung T5 external SSD (USB-C) to replace my USB-3 HD. I need to know if this would solve the problem before i spend that much money. Hope someone can answer this for me.
 
The main issue is with the USB-A port on the far edge of the computer, it is apparently on the same bus as the Bluetooth transceiver and, when a device is connected to that port, causes the Bluetooth to flake out.
 
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