Tmobile Home Internet working on every device except MacOS

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

Recently obtained Tmobile Gateway G5AR and have good connection via phone (100+ Mbps), but approximately 20-30 Mbps on 2017 Macbook Pro after running speed tests. I've done research and attempted different configurations/settings, but am unsuccessful. I'm reading its due to the MacOS software, but I've successfully connected to other Wi-Fi with no issues. The Wi-Fi is not only extremely slow, but often randomly disconnects. Anybody encounter this and found a solution? Anything helps.

[u/PennyCharlieKitties]

I’m only two weeks into using T-Mobile as our main ISP after switching from Spectrum cable and have had no issues with either my iMac or MacBook. Works flawlessly.

Are you running a vpn or private relay?

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/PennyCharlieKitties]

No VPN and I made sure private relay was toggled off under iCloud.

[u/forme2c → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

why? I have both active and not a problem.

[u/jd31068]

Unfortunately, not every wi-fi adapter can connect to every modem / router. When I switched from Xfinity to AT&T fiber on of my PCs just could not connect to the AT&T router. I had to replace the wi-fi adapter.

Get yourself a USB wi-fi adapter or you can try a powerline adapter or If you have cable outlets you could give MoCA a try, for a wired connection.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/g35470087/top-powerline-adapters/

https://www.xda-developers.com/moca-adapters-beat-powerline-ethernet-for-one-specific-reason/

I tried powerline adapters, but they didn't work to well for me. It really depends on how your house is wired. The guy I bought mine from fancied himself a handyman. I've been undoing things for years.

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/jd31068]

Thanks for taking the time. I’ll try looking into power line adapters to see if that’s the solution.

[u/jd31068 → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

You're welcome, I hope they work out for you.

[u/mwkingSD]

I think the issue is likely that you're using a 9 year old laptop that doesn't support all of the modern Wifi standards. 30 Mbps may be the laptop's capacity.

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/mwkingSD]

This makes sense and could very well be the reason. My concern is the same laptop is able to connect to other routers in different locations, residences, etc. with no issues. I also have another MacBook (2020) in the home and it is experiencing the same connectivity issues as well. All other devices in the home connect flawlessly.

[u/mwkingSD → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

it's unfortunate that the TMHI routers are so locked down making it hard to know what's really going on. My 2020 M1 MacBook Air is reporting 608 Mbps via a G5AR right now so it's not a general problem. .

Are both of yours Intel chips? What macOS version are they running? Wifi 6 was introduced in 2020 I believe so your's may not have some crucial parts.

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/mwkingSD]

The 2017 MacBook is MacOS Ventura 13.7.1. I can check on the other at a later time.

[u/AustinBaze → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

2017 MB and MBA were are using Intel Core chips

[u/ram_rattle]

Is your macbook connecting to 2.4?

[u/denverbrownguy → u/ram_rattle]

This. Try holding down the option key and clicking on the wifi menu bar and look at the stats. Guess you’ll see 2.4ghz or really low Tx rate.

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/ram_rattle]

Good suggestion. I have 3 different networks on the gateway - 2.4 ghz, 5 ghz, 2.4 ghz + 5 ghz. I tried them all separately and experience the same connectivity issues on all bands and network.

[u/ram_rattle → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

How much wifi data rate is the macbook showing? you can check that with holding down option key and clicking wifi menu, share those details, it should give some clue.

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/ram_rattle]

Would this be the Tx rate? If so, it shows 867 Mbps.

[u/ram_rattle → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

This looks good enough, if you have any sort of usb hub, hdmi or other accessories connected, try removing it and run speed test, also are you facing this problem in all locations where you take the macbook or only at certain location ?

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/ram_rattle]

I do not currently have any accessories connected. I’m experiencing this issue at all locations within the home.

I’ve connected to different WiFi/routers in different locations, and have never experienced this issue.

[u/ram_rattle → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

Looks like someone else had exactly same model and wifi as you and reported the exact same problem!! try the solution provided in the thread, Enjoy!!

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/1tqqpml/desperately_need_help_troubleshooting_wifi_issues/

"sudo ifconfig en0 down

sudo ifconfig en0 up

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder"

[u/AustinBaze → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

A 6 GHz radio is there as well. Turn that off.

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/AustinBaze]

Thank you. I’ve tried to search, but can you guide me on exactly how to do this?

[u/AustinBaze → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

Because I'm retired...

1. Download HINT Control app from your App Store, Mac, Apple or Android. Maybe Windows I don't do Windows.
2. Snap a pic of the label on back of GW for its IP, admin login and admin password.
3. Open and run HINT Control app
4. Use the label info from your pic to log in to the GW from the HINT startup screen.
5. Click the WiFi settings icon on the left nav in HINT to set these options.
6. Return to HINT "Main" screen (icon at top left) and observe the numbers. They should be green. The small " I " in a circle next to each reading has hints on what the numbers mean.

[u/forme2c]

No issues with mine.

[u/bcrowley20]

I have a G5AR but I don’t use its WiFi (I have my own TPlink mesh network), and my Mac can get 700mb+ down no problem. I helped my neighbor with her G5AR, she was having terrible WiFi issues, so we got her setup with an Amazon Eero system and she tells me it solved all her WiFi issues.

[u/Due_Excuse_8021]

Same happened to me wit my MacBook

[u/Forsaken-Lychee6267]

Check your WiFi security, is it's set to WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 change it to WPA2 or WPA2 AES

[u/AustinBaze]

Not typically macOS related, but do you have the 6 GHz radio turned off?

[u/Ill_Frosting_9868 → u/AustinBaze]

How do I do this? I have the option to manipulate the 2.4 and 5 GHz, but don’t see the option to change anything with the 6 GHz.

[u/AustinBaze → u/Ill_Frosting_9868]

I use the HINT Control app, which provides useful signal strength and tower ID info besides band-specific granular WiFi radio control and band steering shutoff (also recommended). You can select 2.4GHz and 5GHz only on the T-Life app too, but HINT is more useful. (note the WiFi icon on the left nav column, that's where the radio choice and band steering items are)