Nov 2024 MacBook Pro (Apple M4 Pro) keeps dropping internet wifi connection

I just purchased a new M4 Pro MacBook, running the up-to-date OS. I used Time Machine to pull the content over from a 2-year-old MacBook Pro. When I connected to my wifi, one of two things happens:

1.) It will connect for a short period of time at atypically slow speeds and then drops connection entirely.

2.) It will not connect to wifi at all.


With the Spectrum wireless, all the other older Apple devices (iPad Pro 6 gen, iPhone 13 pro, iPhone 16 pro) as well as my wife's PC will clock speeds over 400 Mbps and work reliably. The new M4 MBPro will clock between .4-40 Mbps. When the connection drops, I can toggle off and then on the wifi, and it will work at a slow speed for an undetermined amount of time.


To date I have:

1.) Restarted the MBPro.

2.) Rebooted the router.

3.) Created a second account and had the same issue.

4.) Reinstalled the OS.

5.) Ran a computer diagnostic at the Apple store (no problems found)

6.)Reset the computer started anew without using the time machine backup (in case something in the backup was causing an issue).

We have other devices in our house (PC's, older Apple TV's, Smart TV's...) Nothing else is having the issue. The older MBPro didn't have the issue.


I am frustrated with the experience and am not sure what to do next. Did Apple make a computer that will not work with an 18-month-old modem?


Any suggestions that can be provided will be appreciated. Thanks friends.



MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Mar 6, 2025 9:31 PM

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Mar 7, 2025 3:17 PM in response to C_Mc

Resolution:

It seems the new technology the M4 MBPro uses to more efficiently integrate with a wifi network, may not be as robust as previous models. This may simply be the placement of the Wi-Fi antenna. Looking at Reddit, I learned several issues have been found to cause the interference.

1) Using a HDMI cable with poor shielding (this was my issue. I changed the HDMI to a better cable and the issue had been solved.)

2.) Some users found the stand their computer was sitting on caused the interference.

3.) Some users found the actual external monitor they were using was the interfering culprit.

4.) One user determined the Thunderbolt 3 hub adapter they had been using was problematic.


If you are having a similar problem, I would suggest powering off all external peripherals and checking how the MacBook connects to your wifi without anything that could cause interference. Then slowly add items while checking your connection to determine what is causing your issue. I wish I had a better idea than trial and error, but it did work for me.


Good luck!

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Apr 1, 2025 9:46 PM in response to C_Mc

I had the exact same problem with the M3 processor on A macbook Air; took it back and traded up for a Macbook pro with M3 processor and had this same issue again ! I got a REFUND after much stress and hassles and then bought a remanufactured Macbook Air with 2020 M1 processor technology and had NO INTERNET CONNECTION ISSUES !!! Apple HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE M3 and M4 processors ! My 2 desktops, 2 ipads, and iphone had NO internet connection problems with the SAME router !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Nov 2024 MacBook Pro (Apple M4 Pro) keeps dropping internet wifi connection

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