Device keeps dropping wifi

[6672012]

Hi,

My wifi works fine, except for one device.

The main wall controller for the air conditioner keeps dropping wifi. As none of the other devices ever drop wifi, I assumed there is something wrong with the panel. I got it replaced through ActronAir. However, the problem persists. Now I’m trying to figure out what else could be causing it.
This issue started around 15/12/2022. I want to check with you if any settings were changed on my router by the ISP around this time ?
Also, if any firmware update was done around the same time ?

Thanks,
Prateek

[Ahra_G]

Hi @6672012, 

There are many factors that can affect your Wi-Fi connection. Since wireless signals travel through the air, they are susceptible to different types of interference than standard wired networks. Interference weakens wireless signals and therefore is an important consideration when working with wireless networking. As you might be aware, the biggest factors which reduce Wi-Fi performance are the effect distance and internal walls have on signal strength.

Also, we do not have access to the modem's Wifi settings. You need to manually log in and change the settings to your preference. 

You might want to check your modem's band and the device's band if they are compatible. 

Thanks! 

Ahra_G

[6672012]

Thanks mate.

As for signal strength, it’s placed close to router. Tried on different SSID (2.4Ghz) on router and extender.
It was working fine since 3 years and one day it just stops working properly. Nothing changed physically as such.

I’m sure the firmware of the router is updated remotely by TPG, When was the firmware updated ?

[david64]

Hi @6672012 . What model router is it?

What is firmware version?

Does the panel connect at all now, or does it connect and then drop out later on?

If it stays connected for a while, can you access it through wifi?

How do you make it reconnect? Manual operation on panel?

[6672012]

Router Model: Archer VR1600v

Firmware version: 0.1.0 0.9.1 v5006.0 Build 220518 Rel.32480n

The panel connects to wifi but drops it after a while (few hours to few days).
When it is connected to WiFi it works as intended and I can change the setting from my mobile app.
Now as for reconnecting, this is interesting, If I reconnect it manually to the home WiFi, it doesn’t work but when I connect panel to mobile hotspot and remove the hotspot and connect back to home WiFi. It works and then drops again after a while.

[david64]

@6672012 . That build number is 2022 version so your router might have been updated then. Odd that it affects one device.

Does the panel show surrounding wifi networks as well as your own? Are there any with high signal strength that might interfere?

Next time the panel drops wifi, can you try this.

Connect it to mobile hotspot, turn off mobile hotspot, check that panel loses contact, turn mobile hotspot back on and try to reconnect.

If the panel doesn't reconnect to the mobile, must be some bug in the panel.

Can the panel use 2.4 and 5 bands? When it drops the home wifi, see if it can reconnect to the alternate band? 

When connecting to mobile or to home wifi, do you need to enter the wifi pin on the panel, or has the panel remembered it?

[6672012]

Does the panel show surrounding wifi networks as well as your own? Are there any with high signal strength that might interfere?

Yes, the panel shows surrounding wifi networks and mine as well. I can't really say that there is any such device nearby or anything has changed to have caused this kind of interference.

Next time the panel drops wifi, can you try this.

Connect it to mobile hotspot, turn off mobile hotspot, check that panel loses contact, turn mobile hotspot back on and try to reconnect.

If the panel doesn't reconnect to the mobile, must be some bug in the panel.

This is one of the last thing I tried before reaching out here. The panel automatically picked up the network when it was available. 

Can the panel use 2.4 and 5 bands? When it drops the home wifi, see if it can reconnect to the alternate band? 

The panel works only on 2.4 Ghz. I have two SSIDs (since always) at 2.4 Ghz, the panel behaves the same on both. 

When connecting to mobile or to home wifi, do you need to enter the wifi pin on the panel, or has the panel remembered it?

I have to enter password, which it remembers till the time I manually remove the connection. 

[david64]

@6672012 . None of the following fixes anything; might get more info.

You can look at the Archer System Log for any messages when the panel disconnects, when it won't reconnect, and when it reconnects after being on the mobile hotspot.

In Archer admin, check the Network Client list, try disabling the 2.4 ssid, check that the 2.4 light goes off and the ssid disappears off the device, refresh the Client list (the panel may or may not still be listed), then enable the 2.4 ssid, and try to connect.

You can also try reducing Transmit power. (Disabling and reducing would simulate interference.) 

Can you try without the 2.4 Guest ssid?

You can use your laptop (if it does 2.4GHz) to check on surrounding networks near the panel. With wifi enabled, do command:

netsh wlan show all

Shows relative signal strength and channel number. You can try changing the channel number on Archer; use 1 or 6 or 11, whichever is less used on surrounding networks.