New Macbook Pro: Wifi drops when externals connected

[haightdays]

hi. i've just bought the 13 inch 2017 mac book pro and i'm having the same problem with wifi using a lenovo 4 port usb c to usb 3 adapter and a scandisk blade storage device. the bizarre thing is, if i use an apple adapter, no problem. as soon as i plug the lenovo adapter in, wifi just stops. i'm no steven hawking but there has to be a problem with the adapter not the usb storage device. :/

update

i reset the PRAM and the SMC. now it works like a charm.....for now :/

 

[gmac3x]

hi. i've just bought the 13 inch 2017 mac book pro and i'm having the same problem with wifi using a lenovo 4 port usb c to usb 3 adapter and a scandisk blade storage device. the bizarre thing is, if i use an apple adapter, no problem. as soon as i plug the lenovo adapter in, wifi just stops. i'm no steven hawking but there has to be a problem with the adapter not the usb storage device. :/

update

i reset the PRAM and the SMC. now it works like a charm.....for now :/

Hi there, I have been suffering similar problem since I started using external USB HD with my MacBook Pro. The external drive is in aluminum enclosure and I attached it through velcro to the bottom of Mac case. As long as it was not plugged into USB port, WiFi worked fine. The moment I plugged it in, WiFi stopped working. Now I tried to move the drive physically about 30" away and lo and behold, WiFi is working fine. This seems to indicate that there was some rf interference from the drive to internal Mac WiFi antenna, which must be located in the vicinity of the velcro mounting strip. I'll try to attach the HD to the top cover (display) - I don't want it loose because it puts extra mechanical strain on the USB cable/connectors.

 

[hk19]

UPDATE : New test

Original USB 3.0 Thumbdrive that caused the problem + Adapter + Everything wrapped in tinfoil = ... NO PROBLEM WITH WIFI !

So basically my cheap USB 3.0 Thumbdrive make interference with 2.4 Ghz Wifi band.

[doublepost=1520683321][/doublepost]im using a drawing tablet, connecting to the adapter, what am i suppose to wrap with tinfoil? ... the whole wifi disconnecting is making a mess for and if you seem to have solved the problem, then i would be really happy to know wha to wrap.. thank you.

 

[gmac3x]

Hi there, I have been suffering similar problem since I started using external USB HD with my MacBook Pro. The external drive is in aluminum enclosure and I attached it through velcro to the bottom of Mac case. As long as it was not plugged into USB port, WiFi worked fine. The moment I plugged it in, WiFi stopped working. Now I tried to move the drive physically about 30" away and lo and behold, WiFi is working fine. This seems to indicate that there was some rf interference from the drive to internal Mac WiFi antenna, which must be located in the vicinity of the velcro mounting strip. I'll try to attach the HD to the top cover (display) - I don't want it loose because it puts extra mechanical strain on the USB cable/connectors.

[doublepost=1520791327][/doublepost]This is a follow-up to the above. Indeed, once I positioned the HD on the lid (behind display) the interference stopped and all is working fine. It is velcro mounted at the bottom center of the cover between the Apple logo and case hinge.

 

[hk19]

[doublepost=1520791327][/doublepost]This is a follow-up to the above. Indeed, once I positioned the HD on the lid (behind display) the interference stopped and all is working fine. It is velcro mounted at the bottom center of the cover between the Apple logo and case hinge.

so you literally just moved the whole usb adapter to the back so it is behind the screen? i will try it out today.

 

[gmac3x]

so you literally just moved the whole usb adapter to the back so it is behind the screen? i will try it out today.

Maybe you missed my original post- I am not dealing with USB adapter but an external hard drive enclosure connected via USB cable to MacBook Pro. The HD is attached to the Mac case behind the screen.
[doublepost=1521036263][/doublepost]Maybe you missed my original post- I am not dealing with USB adapter but an external hard drive enclosure connected via USB cable to MacBook Pro. The HD is attached to the Mac case behind the screen.

 

[anunes]

Louis Rossmann posted this video where he shows how wifi drops once externals are connected to the new dumbed down 13" rmbp.

Can anybody confirm this?

Yes. This thing is fck happining, after 5 months using a dodocool adapter, wifi drop, and mouse the same behavior of you video. It's a shame!

 

[Glee217]

This issue happen to my 2016 15" mbp w/touchbar. I plug in my external ssd that is inside a housing into my oem Apple usb c adapter then into my mbp and the wifi on 2.4ghz dropped and wifi icon is now gray. Unplugged the usb then turned off wifi and back on now.

I then switched to 5.0ghz signal and the ssd plugged in there is NO DISCONNECT of wifi! So it concludes that the ssd enclosure is interfering with 2.4ghz wifi.

 

[zerophyte]

I just recently bought a rMBP 15" Mid 2017 model and experience the same problem as everyone else here.. If I am on WiFi with a USB C dodocool hub or my Kingston hub with any external devices like HDD, CD Drive, USB keys connected.. then the WiFi will drop until I eject or remove the USB C hub.. or if I place a hand overtop of the hub or just hold onto the USB C connector that is plugged into the USB C port of the rMBP. This is kind of frustrating..

Are there any "good" usb c docks/hubs that have proper shielding that will not cause interference with the 2.4GHz band of WiFi?

 

[hk19]

Maybe you missed my original post- I am not dealing with USB adapter but an external hard drive enclosure connected via USB cable to MacBook Pro. The HD is attached to the Mac case behind the screen.
[doublepost=1521036263][/doublepost]Maybe you missed my original post- I am not dealing with USB adapter but an external hard drive enclosure connected via USB cable to MacBook Pro. The HD is attached to the Mac case behind the screen.

oh. but the thing is the problem occurs to me whenever i plug anything into the usbC Cord, may it be an external hard drive. anything connected to my usbC makes the wifi shot down... but ya

 

[sanjshar214]

For me even placing a toothpaste tube (aluminium packaged) placed over and near the dongle cable connector near laptop fixes this issue, perhaps any aluminium shield will do. But that is crazy fix Apple can't take shield behind. WiFi shut down on connecting USB-c - USB dongle This is most irritating and unexpected feature of MacBookPro and Apple must be forced to recall all devices and return our money or fix this bug. Not every device could be labelled 'substandard'( some are from reputed firms) causing this wifi shutdown. The problem squarely lies at apple to respond and fix.

 

[leman]

For me even placing a toothpaste tube (aluminium packaged) placed over and near the dongle cable connector near laptop fixes this issue, perhaps any aluminium shield will do. But that is crazy fix Apple can't take shield behind. WiFi shut down on connecting USB-c - USB dongle This is most irritating and unexpected feature of MacBookPro and Apple must be forced to recall all devices and return our money or fix this bug. Not every device could be labelled 'substandard'( some are from reputed firms) causing this wifi shutdown. The problem squarely lies at apple to respond and fix.

You mean that the USB Implementers Forum must recall USB3 spec? You realise that this is by no means exclusive to Apple? Its a well documented issue that affects laptops and devices of various brands, no matter how much Apple haters try to pin it on Apple.

 

[psingh01]

I’ve had this issue on/off my 2013 Air. I always figured it was because the other devices were drawing too much power. It’s lame that it is an issue still.

I also noticed that the power plug on my 2017 MBP sends current through the Mac body. Feels like a small vibration on my palms. It went away when I put my OLD three pronged extension cable on the power brick instead.

 

[leman]

I’ve had this issue on/off my 2013 Air. I always figured it was because the other devices were drawing too much power. It’s lame that it is an issue still.

It will always be an issue since its a fundamental incompatibility between the USB standard and the WiFi standard. In order to avoid it, use modern 5Ghz WiFi connections.

I also noticed that the power plug on my 2017 MBP sends current through the Mac body. Feels like a small vibration on my palms. It went away when I put my OLD three pronged extension cable on the power brick instead.

That is because the small two-pin plug does not have grounding. Has been a thing with aluminium Macs since at least the unibody model.

 

[mrex]

It will always be an issue since its a fundamental incompatibility between the USB standard and the WiFi standard. In order to avoid it, use modern 5Ghz WiFi connections.

isnt the real problem that macbooks have antennas by usb-ports? i have a windows laptop with zero affect of the issue but the antennas are placed inside the display rather than by usb ports like in macbooks.

the difference with 2,4 and 5ghz wifi isnt just a modern thing. 5ghz works well only near the router. if there are walls etc the 2.4ghz is much reliable.

 

[leman]

isnt the real problem that macbooks have antennas by usb-ports?

Antennas in the MBP are in the display, its top part of it if I remember correctly.

i have a windows laptop with zero affect of the issue

It is kind of random from computer to computer. What might work with your machine will cause issues with another one and the other way around.

the difference with 2,4 and 5ghz wifi isnt just a modern thing. 5ghz works well only near the router. if there are walls etc the 2.4ghz is much reliable.

True, 5ghz has limited distance. But its also much much faster. Thats where the mesh systems come in.

 

[The Mercurian]

It is kind of random from computer to computer. What might work with your machine will cause issues with another one and the other way around.

Perhaps some have shielding around the usb port ?

 

[Howard2k]

Perhaps some have shielding around the usb port ?

It's usually the USB-3 -> USB-C adaptors that have poor shielding that seem to trigger this.
USB-3 emits noise in the 2.4GHz space, which is why you can either shield the adaptor and/or switch to 5GHz.

 

[mrex]

Antennas in the MBP are in the display, its top part of it if I remember correctly.

Are they? i have thought they are under the touchbar next to the usb-ports. (Pix from ifixit.)

 

[tomnavratil]

I'm afraid this is still not fixed on 2018 MBP. I have 2 ADATA dongles to connect my USB 3 accessories - an external drive and a hub and my WiFi drops. I have tried different ports on the MBP, I have tried alu foil, moved those accessories further away and nothing. My router is 2.4GHz only I'm afraid so cannot do much more. This is very annoying issue. Any help guys please?

 

[steve62388]

I'm afraid this is still not fixed on 2018 MBP. I have 2 ADATA dongles to connect my USB 3 accessories - an external drive and a hub and my WiFi drops. I have tried different ports on the MBP, I have tried alu foil, moved those accessories further away and nothing. My router is 2.4GHz only I'm afraid so cannot do much more. This is very annoying issue. Any help guys please?

Upgrade your router to one that has 5Ghz? Entry level ones are very cheap.

 

[Fishrrman]

tom wrote above:
"My router is 2.4GHz only I'm afraid so cannot do much more. This is very annoying issue. Any help guys please?"

Well, there's nothing you can do to "change the MacBook". The antenna "is where it is", and there's no way to move it.

What you MIGHT do:
Get another router, one that supports 5ghz.

If your home is small, a single "standalone" router will probably do the job.
If you have a little more "space to cover", you might consider one of the new "mesh-style" systems (are they available yet in the Czech Rep.?).
They're very nice.

 

[Howard2k]

I'm afraid this is still not fixed on 2018 MBP. I have 2 ADATA dongles to connect my USB 3 accessories - an external drive and a hub and my WiFi drops. I have tried different ports on the MBP, I have tried alu foil, moved those accessories further away and nothing. My router is 2.4GHz only I'm afraid so cannot do much more. This is very annoying issue. Any help guys please?

It’s not a MBPro issue really. You need to upgrade your cables, hubs, switches etc., whatever is the problematic component passing the USB traffic. Or move to 5GHz.
[doublepost=1534208540][/doublepost]

tom wrote above:
"My router is 2.4GHz only I'm afraid so cannot do much more. This is very annoying issue. Any help guys please?"

Well, there's nothing you can do to "change the MacBook". The antenna "is where it is", and there's no way to move it.

What you MIGHT do:
Get another router, one that supports 5ghz.

If your home is small, a single "standalone" router will probably do the job.
If you have a little more "space to cover", you might consider one of the new "mesh-style" systems (are they available yet in the Czech Rep.?).
They're very nice.

The Linksys seems to be questionable. Good in theory though.

 

[tomnavratil]

tom wrote above:
"My router is 2.4GHz only I'm afraid so cannot do much more. This is very annoying issue. Any help guys please?"

Well, there's nothing you can do to "change the MacBook". The antenna "is where it is", and there's no way to move it.

What you MIGHT do:
Get another router, one that supports 5ghz.

If your home is small, a single "standalone" router will probably do the job.
If you have a little more "space to cover", you might consider one of the new "mesh-style" systems (are they available yet in the Czech Rep.?).
They're very nice.

Thanks. I'm getting a new LTE router in a few weeks that is dual-band so it will be fine however it's annoying now. Just thought there is a workaround to get this working at least partially.
[doublepost=1534397109][/doublepost]

Upgrade your router to one that has 5Ghz? Entry level ones are very cheap.

I'm currently on VDSL and it's a bit problematic but getting a new, dual-band one fairly shortly. Was just looking for a quick workaround for a next few weeks - dirty, easy; if there's one.

 

[Farsider]

OK, here's a twist - when I plug in a USB3.1 storage device into my 2018 MacMini, the 5Ghz WiFi immediately goes offline but the 2.4Ghz network I have continues fine.

The moment I unplug the drive, my 5Ghz network is fine again.

Its this cable with this drive. I've tried different brands on both and the same thing happens.