Multiple connectivity problems with my Mac mini M4

Question

Level 1

8 points

Multiple connectivity problems with my Mac mini M4

I have been dealing with this issue since I got my mac mini with M4 Pro chip. The problem shows up in many ways: USB 3.0 drive gives many eject warnings when asleep, external drives repeatedly take 20-30 seconds to engage, wired keyboard has lag when typing, etc. I have been talking to Apple Support for weeks. Drives and peripherals work fine on other computers, cables have been switched, ports all do the same thing, reinstalled OS, wiped computer and reloaded OS, etc. REBOOTING SOLVES ALL PROBLEMS UNTIL THE COMPUTER IS PUT TO SLEEP AGAIN. So I wanted to post this as an undesirable workaround until Apple comes up with a solution.

[Re-Titled By Moderator]

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 3:01 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

85,282 points

Apr 3, 2025 7:54 PM in response to kalianna

I'm not disagreeing with you and I do not think that it is right either.

Just so know, this is Apple's user to user forum. There is nothing that we can do here to fix the problem. All we can do as other users, is suggest an option or work-around that works for us and refer you back to Apple.

Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

Feedback - Mac mini - Apple

Feedback - macOS - Apple

P.S. That Mac mini can stay on for days and uses very little power with the Display Off.

Another option or work-around, is to Shut Down at night and Startup in the morning.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

147,126 points

Apr 4, 2025 11:51 AM in response to kalianna

Yup, living in Hawaii definitely has its challenges. The good news is resident inter-island flights are not expensive and if you are like a lot of other Hawaiian residents going to Oahu occasionally is part of your normal routine.

What part of the Big Island do you live?

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

85,282 points

Apr 3, 2025 3:52 PM in response to kalianna

Full Computer Sleep Mode is causing external drive, external display and other issues.

As a test:

Turn On "Prevent automatic sleeping when display is off"

Set "Turn display off when inactive" to 5 or 10 minutes

Leave the Mac Mini On and only allow the display(s) to turn Off on the timer

Do not manually select Sleep from the Apple Drop Down menu

Only Shut Down the Mac when away for a day or more

It may help if folks send Feedback.

Feedback - Mac mini - Apple

Feedback - macOS - Apple

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 10

85,282 points

Apr 3, 2025 5:53 PM in response to kalianna

kalianna wrote:

REBOOTING SOLVES ALL PROBLEMS UNTIL THE COMPUTER IS PUT TO SLEEP AGAIN.

Use the settings as shown and do not put the Mac mini to Sleep.

Leave the Mac Mini On and only allow the display(s) to turn Off on the timer

Do not manually select Sleep from the Apple Drop Down menu

Only Shut Down the Mac when away for a day or more

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Answer 5

kalianna Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 3, 2025 6:21 PM in response to den.thed

I know that. But that is a work around, not a solution. Itʻs like telling a new car owner not to use their cruise control if it causes problems. As per the Apple site recommendations, I should not have to reboot my system everyday.

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Answer 6

kalianna Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 3, 2025 9:29 PM in response to den.thed

I understand and I donʻt mean to be ungrateful. My frustration is with Apple and the many hours Iʻve spent with senior Apple support that has only led all of us to the conclusion that there is a hardware problem, yet they tell me to fix it I need to fly 500 miles to a Mac store. I live in Hawaii. Itʻs on another island. They will not let me ship it to them. There, got it off my chest, Iʻll shut up now. Thanks for the suggestions.

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Answer 7

kalianna Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 3, 2025 10:12 PM in response to den.thed

Iʻm on the Big Island. Nearest Apple store is on Oahu. Local dealer, Mac Made Easy, will not send computers to Apple unless you bought it from them. And Apple said I canʻt ship it to the Mac store either, has to be in person. Fun stuff.

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Answer 8

kalianna Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 4, 2025 12:30 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I live in Keaʻau. My only experiences on Oahu were for changing planes at the airport. Iʻll start exploring going there next week. I know thereʻs cheap flights. It just seems ridiculous to fly there to drop off a 6" piece of hardware that could easily be mailed.

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Answer 9

rkaufmann87

Level 10

147,126 points

Apr 4, 2025 1:42 PM in response to kalianna

I know that area, nice clean air. I have a good friend that lives outside Pahoa on about 6 acres. He and I picked Pineapple for a summer on Lanai when we were about 16, this is WAY back in the day. Whenever we're on the BI we make it a point to drive over and spend a day or two with him. I live in CA (can't get my wife to consider moving there) but we get to Hawaii about 1x per year. In a couple of weeks we're off to Kauai this trip, next March back to the BI again.

I get it on the trip to Oahu, well there may be some errands that you can do there in addition to visiting the Apple Store. I'd call them in advance just in case to see how they handle it if you need to leave the MM there. Tell them you'd prefer to not fly back just to pick it up and see if they have some type of accommodation. Also ensure you make an appointment, Apple Stores can get really busy.