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Cannot connect to WiFi network sporadically

Tags:
  • Connection
  • WiFi
  • Internet Service Providers
  • Wireless Network
Last response: in Wireless Networking
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October 12, 2014 4:40:30 AM

On October 8th, my connection was upgraded from ADSL2+ to VDSL2 (yipee!), so a tech guy from my ISP had to come and replace the router/home gateway/modem (I don't know what the 'official' name is, apologies for my ignorance here) with a newer one.
And it was time for an upgrade -- the old one dropped connection to the ISP several times per day, but when it was up, everything worked as it should.
The new one however, only worked perfectly for one day. On 10/9, I came home, browsed the web on my WiFi-connected desktop for a few minutes when suddenly there was no more connection. I checked my two Android phones and both tablets, the phones of my two sisters and my mother and the three laptops in the house.
All of the devices could see the network name, but all of them would show an error -- the Android devices showing "Authorization problem" and the Windows computers running up to W7 all say that the password is incorrect (despite me checking several times). The W8.1 PC just says "Can't connect to this network".
A few hours later, some devices connected, then dropped connection, then other devices would connect etc.
I've called the ISP and they did factory-reset the router and even sent a guy over to have a look, but he didn't do a damn thing.

The TV, phone and LAN-connected PC all work perfectly, but WiFi connections just happen at random.
I've searched the web but haven't found similar issues.

If there is any more information I need provide, I'll be happy to do so if it is in my power.

Thank you for all your help!
--755

More about : connect wifi network sporadically

October 12, 2014 7:00:10 AM

someone755 said:
I've called the ISP and they did factory-reset the router and even sent a guy over to have a look, but he didn't do a damn thing.


If a factory reset didn't solve the problem, then at the very minimum the tech should have replaced your modem/router.

There are a couple of things you can attempt yourself. Log in to the router settings and try a different wireless security protocol and encryption. You can also select a different wireless channel. If you need help adjusting these settings, you may want to post the make and model of the device.

Otherwise, you may need to have a tech return to replace your modem.

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October 12, 2014 10:05:12 AM

Thank you for your answer!

I both phoned the ISP and asked the guy who "came to fix it" if I could get a replacement if this continues, but the answer was no, since they saw it was working (the one single laptop (out of 10+ WiFi devices this household uses) the tech guy looked at just happened to work when he did, so it's 100% working in their book).

I've already tried different encryptions on WPA2 using a PSK (only two being AES and AES+TKIP) but I have yet to do that with WPA. I'd rather not use WEP as there has been a case of somebody hacking the network and using up all the bandwith for God knows what, which is what I've also told my ISP but they insist I use WEP just in case "the devices don't support WPA2" (despite being told WPA2 with the old modem/router worked).
I'd like to ask what happens if you opt to choose just WPA/2 without the PSK while I'm at it. I don't get to input a security key, so what is the point of it?

The channel selection says it's "Automatic", but it seems to be working fine -- I checked with multiple devices around the house, and the channel it has chosen is as empty as can be (2-3 other networks compared to 5+ on other channels).
What I cannot do, though, is select a channel for the 5GHz band. (It does work like that, doesn't it? The 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands do run on separate channels? Again, sorry for my ignorance, this is my first time dealing with a 5GHz band network.)

The modem/router thing is an "Innbox V60U Home Gateway". I searched the Internet high and low for any documentation on it but I was out of luck (or just sloppy, but I was pretty limited on bandwith since I was using my phone's mobile data to look things up).
I do have some experience from the old model (no idea what the model name was though), but except for a few new GUI elements and a few new pages (like advanced WiFi with settings like power saving, channel selection etc.), the new one is the same.

If you would need/like to see the settings currently being used, I have a few screenshots ready.
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October 12, 2014 3:12:49 PM

someone755 said:
I've already tried different encryptions on WPA2 using a PSK (only two being AES and AES+TKIP) but I have yet to do that with WPA. I'd rather not use WEP ...

...What I cannot do, though, is select a channel for the 5GHz band.


If you haven't already, I'd recommend trying WPA to see if that helps improve your connection. You're right not to use WEP as that protocol is easily crackable.

Depending on what country you live in, you may not have the ability to select channels in the 5GHz band. This is to help avoid interference with existing systems using that same frequency, so it's completely normal.

I'm not familiar with your particular make of device, but I'll see if I can dig up anything else for you.

It's unfortunate that the tech refused to replace the modem/router. Consumers usually have limited access to settings on ISP provided equipment. If you can't get any resolution with your current device, you may want to consider running your own access point behind it.
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October 13, 2014 9:41:56 AM

Thanks again for the help!

I've tried every security option combination and it all ran fine until I noticed that the cause of the error I'm experiencing is my own PC (a big ouch since it's the most powerful computer in the house).
Whenever I boot it up, it automatically connects to the network, leaving the other devices out if they were not connected at the time the PC was turned on and retained that connection.

I'm just wondering what the heck could be wrong and what exactly happens when the PC boots up...
The router/modem has an option to run separate WiFi networks at once. I'm thinking of creating another network just for my PC, but I'll have to wait until everyone falls asleep to get a chance to try.
What I intend to do right away is try to see if the same happens when using Ubuntu that I have set up to dual-boot. The hardware address should stay the same, so the router should see Ubuntu as the same device as when Windows is booted, right? Meaning, if it works with Ubuntu, it's a Windows problem.

Also, my control over the modem thing doesn't seem to be limited much -- I have full access to the settings (192.168.1.1).

EDIT: Huh, now it suddenly decided to work even with this PC on, but this is after I tried Ubuntu (where it worked flawlessly).
I am as confused as can be, but I'll try to do as much testing and see if I can find the cause in one of the devices (or in a pattern of connections).

EDIT2: Nevermind, the error still appears with Windows, my testing method had issues that time. Have yet to see if this happens with Ubuntu, but I can confirm that adding another WiFi network on that same router/modem results in the same issue.

EDIT3: Everything works fine with Ubuntu. So I guess Windows 8.1 is to blame, but I don't know how or why it could effect the connection for other devices...
Again, the old modem/router never did anything similar, which makes this all the more confusing.
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