Wifi receiving differences

[cez1]

So since I've been working from home I've noticed that my 2019 13" MBP gets horrible wifi reception when I'm sitting on my back deck. I've spoken to my provider and set up wifi boosting pods and the signal has increased slightly. However, when I use my iPad Pro or my old laptop (2016 15" MBP) in the same spot, I get great reception. My wife uses a 2019 (I think) MBA and has no issues either.

Is this a known issue or is there a way to check if the antenna is faulty?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

C

 

[satcomer]

On that affected Mac hold down the ‘Option Key’ while mouse clicking the Wi-Fi icon the Finder Menu and then tell us what is strength it is receiving!

 

[cez1]

Is that the Tx Rate?

If so, inside at my desk is between 560-600 Mbps and outside on my deck its between 58-60 Mbps on my 13" MBP.

For the 15" MBP I am getting between 750-1100 Mbps at my desk and the same outside.

 

[satcomer]

Ok in affected Mac I want you open System Preferences->Network Pane and highlight you’re Airport tab. The in Airport tab change the Login tab change the Automatic Location and create a custom named Location! Don’t worry it will act the same!

 

[cez1]

Okay, is this what you mean?

Still no improvement in Tx Rate, which is around 65.

Edit to add a big thank you for helping me diagnose this!!

 

[Supra Mac]

Looks like your 13" MBP is the two port model, is it? They have slower WIFI than the 4 port and 15 inch. The other has an extra antenna hence the 50% increase in tx rate at your desk.

 

[cez1]

Nope, my MBP is the 4 port - 2.8 GH Quad i7 with 16 GB RAM. I get the antenna size difference and that makes sense, but I will have to check it against my wife's MBA to confirm. She hasn't complained about slo internet outside, but she hasn't been out there as much as me.

Thanks again for the input!

 

[Supra Mac]

Good deal, you can try the option key step again and look at RSSI for both laptops to see what their signal strength is and noise.

 

[cez1]

13" MBP
RSSI at desk = between -46 and -49 dBm, Noise = between -90 and -95 dBm
RSSI outside = between -74 and -77 dBm, Noise = between -89 and -92 dBm


15" MBP
RSSI at desk = between -53 and -57 dBm, Noise = -89 and -90 dBm
RSSI outside = between -89 and -92 dBm, Noise = -89 and -91 dBm

I'm still learning what these numbers mean and will take a deeper dive after work today.
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I also just noticed that when I am outside, my 13" MBP uses channel 1 2.4 GHz, 20 MHz) while the 15" uses channel 157 5.0 GHz, 80 MHz.

Will this make a difference?

 

[jerryk]

13" MBP
RSSI at desk = between -46 and -49 dBm, Noise = between -90 and -95 dBm
RSSI outside = between -74 and -77 dBm, Noise = between -89 and -92 dBm


15" MBP
RSSI at desk = between -53 and -57 dBm, Noise = -89 and -90 dBm
RSSI outside = between -89 and -92 dBm, Noise = -89 and -91 dBm

I'm still learning what these numbers mean and will take a deeper dive after work today.
[automerge]1594837488[/automerge]
I also just noticed that when I am outside, my 13" MBP uses channel 1 2.4 GHz, 20 MHz) while the 15" uses channel 157 5.0 GHz, 80 MHz.

Will this make a difference?

You have 2 major difference.

The 13" is using 2.4Ghz which is often more crowded from other people's access points but penetrates walls better. If you live near people this may be a big part of your problem

The 15" is using 5Ghz. Which is likely better for you.

Also, The 20 vs. 80 Mhz bandwidth can with can make a large difference. 80 Mhz on 5G can give a performance boost, but can be tricky and I don't recommend using it unless you have few devices, no nearby neighbors, and are close to the Wifi access point. It reduces the numbers of non-overlapping (colliding) channels from 40 to 8. I usually 20 Mhz and maybe 40 Mhz.

So my recommendation would be to have the 15" also use the 5Ghz and see if that fixes the issue. But do so knowing your range from the access point is going to be more limited, and if there are many walls between you and the access point you may have connectivity issues.

 

[cez1]

You have 2 major difference.

The 13" is using 2.4Ghz which is often more crowded from other people's access points but penetrates walls better. If you live near people this may be a big part of your problem

The 15" is using 5Ghz. Which is likely better for you.

Also, The 20 vs. 80 Mhz bandwidth can with can make a large difference. 80 Mhz on 5G can give a performance boost, but can be tricky and I don't recommend using it unless you have few devices, no nearby neighbors, and are close to the Wifi access point. It reduces the numbers of non-overlapping (colliding) channels from 40 to 8. I usually 20 Mhz and maybe 40 Mhz.

So my recommendation would be to have the 15" also use the 5Ghz and see if that fixes the issue. But do so knowing your range from the access point is going to be more limited, and if there are many walls between you and the access point you may have connectivity issues.

Thanks fo this! I will have to try changing the bandwidth on the weekend. My provider is Rogers (in Canada) and along with my router I have several booster pods. I cannot alter bandwidth settings while the pods are active, and will work meetings all day for my wife and I, I will not be able to play with it too much. Will report back over the weekend.

Cheers!