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Mac Mini not detecting WiFi

D

Dr.Xavier

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 16, 2019
8
0
Hi all, I've been trying to find a solution to my problem for a while and couldn't get anywhere (including here on macrumors)- have been searching for over a week now and pretty much gave up as I tried almost all the trouble-shooting steps I could possibly find online. However, I apologize in advance if this was answered before.

So I purchased a used 2012 Mac Mini (i5, 8gb, 500 HDD) from Craigslist and seller guaranteed that everything is working fine but when I turned it on, the wifi somehow is not detecting any wifi networks (even though I have plenty around me and can see them with my phone, tablet and laptop).

Here're some trouble-shooting steps I followed as recommended on a few sites I visited:

- Turn wifi off, restart, turn back on.
- Create a new location.
- Removed any wireless devices around the mac mini to rule out interferences.
- Upgraded from Mojave to Catalina.

I hope someone can shed some light on this.

Here's a screenshot of the wifi card status. Currently says 'Not Associated':
Screen Shot 2019-12-16 at 11.01.02 PM.png


Thanks in advance!
 
Not sure if this will be any help, but...
I believe the Mini's wifi "antenna" is on the bottom of the unit, the screened plate (after you remove the "plastic plate" on the bottom?
Could the connection between the antenna and the motherboard be detached?
Again, not sure if I have this right.
You could go to ifixit.com and check the Mini teardown to see in detail.

Having said that...
Is ethernet available to you?
If it is, why not just use that instead?
 
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Fishrrman said:
Not sure if this will be any help, but...
I believe the Mini's wifi "antenna" is on the bottom of the unit, the screened plate (after you remove the "plastic plate" on the bottom?
Could the connection between the antenna and the motherboard be detached?
Again, not sure if I have this right.
You could go to ifixit.com and check the Mini teardown to see in detail.

Having said that...
Is ethernet available to you?
If it is, why not just use that instead?
Click to expand...

thanks for your reply! I opened the bottom but didn’t see anything that looks disconnected and didn’twanna mess with it..the other thing is that the diagnostic report doesn’t say that it’s disconnected.

yes, I’m connected through Ethernet but don’t like the fact that I’m tied to a cable since I might need to relocate it to another room that doesn’t have a cable.
 
Last edited:
Hmmmm....
Seems that I remember that some of the early 2012-design Minis could have wifi dropouts as a result of both internal and USB RF interference. Didn't OWC put out a small "shield kit" for the internal wifi at one point?

Just something to factor in.

But... if you have ethernet connected and it's running well that way... then... that's "the solution" to me.
 
The only thing I don't get on that screenshot is the country code. What is X0?
If your wifi country code is not the same as the country code of your router then you will get wifi problems so that could well be the problem but that's about as much as I know I'm afraid and I don't know what X0 is.
I think you are in the USA so I think your country code should be US.
I do know that it won't connect to certain channels if the code is wrong or drops wifi. Anyway, that's all ì can see there.
But have you run the network diagnostics tool because that may well give you a better idea of what your problem is?
Look for the wifi symbol in the address bar at the top of your screen then while holding down the option key, click on the symbol and you'll get an extended menu. (Your wifi isn't working so it'll look like a triangle/fan pointing down. It'll still open the extended menu just the same.)
You'll see network diagnostics in the list so run that.
One other thing to consider although a long shot- do you have any USB3 devices around the Macmini? Something like an external hard drive with the blue USB3 connector?
USB3 causes 2.4ghz interference and it can hide the SSID- that's the identifier of the wifi channel so it just isn't seen.
A long shot but those are the best Ideas I have for the moment on the info I have
Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Fishrrman said:
Hmmmm....
Seems that I remember that some of the early 2012-design Minis could have wifi dropouts as a result of both internal and USB RF interference. Didn't OWC put out a small "shield kit" for the internal wifi at one point?

Just something to factor in.

But... if you have ethernet connected and it's running well that way... then... that's "the solution" to me.
Click to expand...

Yes, I do have ethernet connected but the only problem is that I'll need to relocate the mini somewhere else that does not have ethernet.[/QUOTE]
 
Ruggy said:
The only thing I don't get on that screenshot is the country code. What is X0?
If your wifi country code is not the same as the country code of your router then you will get wifi problems so that could well be the problem but that's about as much as I know I'm afraid and I don't know what X0 is.
I think you are in the USA so I think your country code should be US.
I do know that it won't connect to certain channels if the code is wrong or drops wifi. Anyway, that's all ì can see there.
But have you run the network diagnostics tool because that may well give you a better idea of what your problem is?
Look for the wifi symbol in the address bar at the top of your screen then while holding down the option key, click on the symbol and you'll get an extended menu. (Your wifi isn't working so it'll look like a triangle/fan pointing down. It'll still open the extended menu just the same.)
You'll see network diagnostics in the list so run that.
One other thing to consider although a long shot- do you have any USB3 devices around the Macmini? Something like an external hard drive with the blue USB3 connector?
USB3 causes 2.4ghz interference and it can hide the SSID- that's the identifier of the wifi channel so it just isn't seen.
A long shot but those are the best Ideas I have for the moment on the info I have
Good luck.
Click to expand...

-Very interesting! I am located in the U.S. and the person I bought it from is also in the U.S. Not sure how that code was altered or how to even fix it?

-Yes, I did run the diagnostics tool and it said 'Poor Wireless Environment' and recommended to 'Turn off or Move away from sources of interference' even though there are no interfering devices around it, however, I'm surrounded by so many wifi networks where I live, could that be the reason?? The thing is, though, my MBP, my iPad and my phone all see these wifi networks and connect to my home network without an issue.

-I actually do have a USB3 external HDD connected though this issue was happening before I connected the HDD.

Thanks for your very insightful reply!
[automerge]1576733752[/automerge]
Heat_Fan89 said:
If all else fails, try one of these:

www.amazon.com

Wireless USB WiFi Adapter for PC - Nineplus 1300Mbps Dual 5Dbi Antennas 5G/2.4G WiFi Adapter for Desktop PC Laptop Windows11/10/8/7/Vista/XP, Wireless Adapter for Desktop Computer Network Adapters

Wireless USB WiFi Adapter for PC
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...

Thank you! I'll give it a shot if I don't find any solution.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Good luck. It's one of the loneliest places I know fighting with a computer. Not as bad as before the internet but still miserable.

Just another thought- you could go into your router and change the channel it's using, see if that helps.
If you have a lot of interference from other networks around you, then a different channel might fix it.
If you have another device where you can analyse the signal strength nearby that might also give you a clue. If you find the noise is very high for instance.
I agree, it is odd that other machines work and that doesn't but maybe as it's a bit older it isn't quite as good at picking up a weak signal?
You should try moving it as well (you probably have) but put it somewhere else preferably right next to your router and see if that helps.
And beware not only of other devices but things like mirrors, microwave ovens. Cordless phones too- the land line ones- the base station can interfere.
 
Last edited:
Ruggy said:
Good luck. It's one of the loneliest places I know fighting with a computer. Not as bad as before the internet but still miserable.

Just another thought- you could go into your router and change the channel it's using, see if that helps.
If you have a lot of interference from other networks around you, then a different channel might fix it.
If you have another device where you can analyse the signal strength nearby that might also give you a clue. If you find the noise is very high for instance.
I agree, it is odd that other machines work and that doesn't but maybe as it's a bit older it isn't quite as good at picking up a weak signal?
You should try moving it as well (you probably have) but put it somewhere else preferably right next to your router and see if that helps.
And beware not only of other devices but things like mirrors, microwave ovens. Cordless phones too- the land line ones- the base station can interfere.
Click to expand...

Thank you!

Yea I haven't tried changing the channel yet but will def give that a try.
It's actually about 3-4 feet away from the router right now.
 
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