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How to fix WiFi 6 Network on MacBook Pro disconnecting regularly

I have recently switched our network from eero to Ubiquiti (UniFi). This change allows me to take advantage of the advanced capabilities. These include a license-free network management with enterprise-like capabilities. UniFi has industry leading hardware and intuitive management that made it an easy decision.

Some of the key advantages that drove my decision are

  • No licenses, no subscription
  • Native cloud management with no cloud fees
  • Plug and Play simplicity
  • Manage unlimited sites from anywhere

During this transition I ran into one small hiccup that took me some time to figure out.

My MacBook started to disconnect during video calls. It also disconnected during regular work. I saw that my 2023 14″ MacBook Pro (macOS Tahoe) would initially connect to the 6 GHz WiFi 6E channel. Then it would switch to the 5 GHz channel. For a short few seconds, it would drop the connection.

It took me a while to find the culprit. It turned out to be an unexpected suspect – Apple’s Universal Control.

I have an iPad Pro (Gen 3, iOS 17.7.10) that does not have 6E support. When the MacBook Pro establishes a Universal Control connection with the iPad, it switches to the same 5 GHz WiFi. This is the network that the iPad is on. After disabling Universal Control on my MacBook Pro, it stayed connected to 6E.

How to disable Universal Control:

On your Mac

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences).
  2. Click Displays.
  3. If using macOS Ventura or later, click the Advanced button at the bottom of the settings window.
  4. Turn off “Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad.” Leave the other Universal Control settings turned on as they are automatically disabled.

On your iPad

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General, then tap AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff).
  3. Turn off Cursor and Keyboard. This setting is available only on iPad models that support Universal Control.

As I use Universal Control and did not want to disable it. I chose to tell my MacBook Pro in the network setting to not use the 6E network. It now remains on the 5 GHz network. Since then, the disconnects are gone.

Here is how to turn off WiFi 6E on the Mac:
  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Wi-Fi.
  2. Click the Details button next to the name of the Wi-Fi 6E network you’re connected to.
  3. From the pop-up menu next to Wi-Fi 6E Mode, choose Off. This option appears only when your supported device is connected to a Wi-Fi 6E network.

Not sure if this is the intended behavior that Apple is intending or how it was designed. At least it resolves this issue without any performance impact on my devices and network.

Hopefully this will help those that run into similar problems.


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