Macbook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023) doesn't connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi network at all

If you set up that 5Ghz SSID to use WPA3 personal security and your MacBook Pro is attempting to use WPA2, then it will never connect unless that SSID was configured for either of WPA2/WPA3 security.

Hi pnwclw,

Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities! You have tried great steps so far. Have you also tested in another user? Being able to see if the issue occurs in another user account will to identify if it is something that is affecting your entire system or just one particular user account. To do this, you'll want to set up a Test User account and then try to replicate the issue in that account.

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups.

2. Click the lock icon, then enter an administrator name and password.

3. Click the add button (+) below the list of users.

4. Complete the fields shown for a Standard or Administrator account, then click Create Account (or OK).

5. Go back up to the Apple menu in the upper left of the computer and select "Log Out". At the login screen, choose the "Test User" just made.

6. Once inside the Test Account, try to replicate the issue to determine if it just occurs in one account or on the whole computer.

If the issue remains in the test user, we recommend that you reach out to Apple Support directly to take a further look. Please reach out here:

Get Support

Hope this helps!

Have a great day.

I'm having the same issues. M2 MacBook Pro Max. Only had it 2 weeks now. I've tried every single fix I could find online and talked with apple support. It either won't connect at all or it connects and drops every few minutes. Only on the 5ghz band.

Hi, I'm having the same issue with the MacBook pro 16 inch m2. I have already tried with 3 routers (eero, tplink and huawei) and hot-spotting a 5ghz access point from 2 different smartphones. The same result with any of these just accepting the 2.4ghz connection. I even tried from the terminal force to use the 5Ghz band channel of the routers and nothing. Any solution?

Also an issue for me. I tried literally everything. My internet company confirmed that 5g network not compatible with this brand new M2 16" MacBook. HUGE DISSAPOINTMENT. I am a graphic designer- which is why I bought this computer in the first place and constantly work and share multi gig files and can't work with anything less than a 5g network.

Get a new router. I went through two new M2s and countless genius appointments, convinced it was the computer. three other macs, iphones, and ipad all connect to our 5g. the new M2 would only connect for seconds and then lose connection and never could get 5g speeds. Thought it also was our service provider's problem. Finally bought a new router (suggested by a Genius) and it solved everything.

Well at least they tried! The Apple Tech's at Smithhaven Mall Apple store wouldnt touch it saaid they cannot test network connectivity because their store network is a secure Apple network. My answer was,"don't you have a small local network setup available to test these type problems out? They said no so I took it back to where I purchased it (M2 Max 32GB 1TB) 16" but if I cant connect to computers on my home network then why bother with an expensive doorstop. At the place I bought it was even worse the tech along with their Apple tech just said well take it back as a return! Strange as it is and from the questions and comments on this forum and others I was able to connect to the router, and the internet but the two Macs on my local network were visible in Network but would not make a connection. You know something isnt right when a retailer wont fight to keep a sale, he knows there is an elephant in the room,Apple say what ?

My question here is, What is Apple doing to find a fix or a workaround? All I see are disgruntled customers and I am currently one although the first unit I had purchased and since returned was able to reach the internet but I swore I was able to access my local home network then I did a security upgrade and since then it didnt work so I first went to Apple's genius bar wheree they wouldnt work on a network problem and so I took it back to place I bought it,like I said it worked fine with wifi but the other problem was a deal killer and they took it back as a return and so for a day I had no new macbook pro ( my older 2016 has a bad screen but works with a monitor) and I bought a M3 pro today and maybe tomorrow I will open the box or return it unopened.

Have you tried disabling the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi on the router?

Have you tried using Password Sharing from other devices (an iPhone)?

Can your MBP M2 Pro connect to other 5GHz Wi-Fi network?

Have you tried giving different SSIDs to the 2.4GHz & 5GHz wireless networks?

Also, if 2.4GHz is connected, forget it and do not connect automatically. Only join it automatically when the 5GHz network is connected.

On the router, try using different 5 GHz channels. Avoid automatic channel because many routers are default to the same channel and making it very noisy.

Consider install Wi-Fi Explorer app. If you cannot see any 5GHz Wi-Fi network, it could be the network card issue. I think it’s unlikely.

Last thing, stay closer to the router and 5GHz signal becomes stronger. When 5GHz signal is weak, Mac will switch to 2.4GHz.

I share same problem with my MacBook Pro M3 Pro, iPad Pro 5th Gen and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple devices can not detect to 5Ghz Band only on Router AX / Wifi6( I tried Asus and Xiaomi AX router). But all can detect 5Ghz with My AC (Wifi5).

Dear Apple,

I Think your new Modem have some issue detecting 5 GHz using new Wifi6 router. Pls help since using 2.4GHz much slower and crowded.

Anybody can help?

Best Regard,

SetionoS

I was having the same issue. Someone on this thread suggested it was the router, so I purchased a Linksys wifi extender, connected to my router and set that up. It's only been a few hours but this seems to have taken care of the problem. The original modem is a CenturyLink modem (partnered with my apartment building), and a few others experiencing this issue have the same exact modem.

Connecting to the new router/extender has been working so far and i'm getting pretty close the advertised speed on my subscription.

Hope this helps!

Hi pnwclw

I have the same issues, with my M2 Air and M3 Pro, after lots of troubleshooting I raised a ticket with TP-Link support and looks like the issue is a combination of security measure, in between the HomeSheeld application installed on the router and your laptop/laptop security application like antivirus/vpn etc. Based on what you are using you can he less or more impacted. in my case on my working laptop where I use different tunels/vpn I was not able to say connected more then 5 minutes without interruption, but on my personal laptop where I have only a normal antivirus it was a bit better.

After 30 minutes of troubleshooting the decided to provide me a beta firmware will is plan to be released this spring, and after few hours of using it my both laptops have strong connection on 5Ghz network.

Firmware Version: 1.2.5 Build 20231129 rel.73373(4555)

Hardware Version: Archer AX55 v1.0

Latest Firmware Version: 1.2.6 Build 20231130 rel.36135

If you did not find any permanent fix, I can share this beta firmware.

I was having the same issue, none of the solutions worked for me, however after booting into recovery mode I managed to connect to 5ghz with no problem. After rebooting I could connect to 5ghz in normal session. No idea what might have caused such behaviour.

Same issue, contacted the Apple online service, provided me with tons of useless solutions such as, what is the model of your router, did your router is updated?

I litterally got the same problem cross over any routers with 5G in so many different places and countries.

This mac M2 since I bought it from the store never connected to any 5g networks while all my other devices, Ipad pro, PC, any other devices; including a cheap Android phone, can.

It's really a disgrace to buy such expensive piece of equipment, with sealed hardware inside to be sure no one can fix it, and yet this garbage doesn't work.

Even Apple can't give a solution to that problem, now they advised me to re install the OS, LOL, I do try this solution and will patiently wait for 3 hours but I am already pretty much sure it's not gonna work out.

Anyway...

I am so done with Apple seriously.

The problem with buying a new router for your laptop, is that the point of having a laptop is to be connected anywhere and be mobile.

I don't see myself buying a router to every single place I go.

This solution is ridiculous, glad it works for you, now you can use your laptop in your home on a 5g network.