See other WiFi networks, but not mine?

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › See other WiFi networks, but not mine?

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#191735 14-Feb-2016 19:09

On VF UFF with standard HG659 modem.

Everything has been running sweet for several weeks. Suddenly 2 laptops cannot identify my own WiFi network, but can see all the neighbours?!

They both work fine on Ethernet, and a range of Apple devices are wokiing on WiFi without any problem. Just these 2 laptops, and just this afternoon. No updates showing.

I have reset the adaptor on both, reset the modem, checked latest driver updates installed, and Googled the crap out of it. No luck

Both laptopos are running Win10 and have been for several months.

I have no idea where to begin and gave up trying to phone VF help desk after waiting for an hour on hold.

The only change I made yesterday was to uninstall the POS Realteck audio driver and to stop it reinstalling denied access on the Realtek folder (that seemed to be the only recommended method). Wifi was working after that and I have tried enabling access to the realtek folder again. I have restored one of the laptops back to before I started playing with the audio driver but no luck.

Both have Atheros network adaptor. One is a Toshiba other is a Samsung.

I am lost...help?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

RunningMan

8955 posts

Uber Geek

#1492223 14-Feb-2016 19:44

What WiFi channel? Some hardware can't see all the NZ channels (1-13), being set to US (1-11).

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1492236 14-Feb-2016 20:29

Ok penny has just dropped (it's a slow penny..)

I have identified the issue is that the modem seemed to have for some reason stopped transmitting the 2.4Ghz channel which the older laptops work on. The newer devices are running on 5Ghz and are working fine. Devices that use to be able to see both channels can now only identify the 5 Ghz.

Both 2.5 and 5 are enabled on the router. I have disabled and restarted the 2.4 Ghz chanel but still no luck. Channel was on auto (always has been) so have tried 1 and 6 but no difference.

What now?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

RunningMan

8955 posts

Uber Geek

#1492247 14-Feb-2016 20:57

Reset the modem perhaps? Backup settings first

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1492294 14-Feb-2016 21:39

Reset several times and checked all settings. Modem reports both channels working. Finally got through to VF helpdesk but no help there. I have to call back during business hours (?).

Chap didn't seem to appreciate the issue as in his view the internet was working so it wasn't their problem????...sigh.

A quick search seems to reveal this is not uncommon, with no solution. Several examples are on the VF community.

Oh well hopefully better luck calling tomorrow and getting a bit more decisive help.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Batman

Mad Scientist
29762 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1492296 14-Feb-2016 21:41

Is this the old or new firmware?

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1492299 14-Feb-2016 21:51

Got it about 4 months ago. Didn't touch it, so possibly not the very latest? It was working fine so I am firmly in the camp of don't touch it if its working.

That said there are several similar posts on the VF community, a firmware upgrade has made no difference in every single case.

Perhaps something they will try tomorrow. Will keep that in mind, thanks

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Batman

Mad Scientist
29762 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1492300 14-Feb-2016 21:54

All I can say is ... it happens sometimes ... sorry not very helpful ... let me try to remember what I did to fix them ... umm ... once I resorted to manually entering the SSID and I think it worked.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

aschteev

80 posts

Master Geek

#1492308 14-Feb-2016 22:24

I had a friend who had this issue with their Windows 10 laptop and Vodafone DSL.

I don't know what made me try this, but I had to change the encryption from AES to TKIP+AES on the wireless settings.

The network appeared straight away on the laptop. Hope this helps!

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1492311 14-Feb-2016 22:27

aschteev: I had a friend who had this issue with their Windows 10 laptop and Vodafone DSL.

I don't know what made me try this, but I had to change the encryption from AES to TKIP+AES on the wireless settings.

The network appeared straight away on the laptop. Hope this helps!

Thanks. Not sure why settings would have suddenly changed when it was all working, but will check this out tomorrow. I have had about all the fault finding patience I can muster for 1 day.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Jase2985

13459 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1492354 15-Feb-2016 06:10

update the firmware, its unlikely it has the latest, and the older firmware did have issues with the wifi

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=177650

dylanp

840 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1492407 15-Feb-2016 08:55

Two main things - double check you're running firmware version ending in 19 or 20. Details here http://help.vodafone.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/24400/

And make sure the 2.4 and 5 GHz have different ssids.

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1492513 15-Feb-2016 11:40

VodafoneDylan:

Two main things - double check you're running firmware version ending in 19 or 20. Details here http://help.vodafone.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/24400/

And make sure the 2.4 and 5 GHz have different ssids.

Yes and yes. After another 2 hours playing phone tag and listening to god awful music a new modem is on it's way. I am guessing the new one may still have the older firmware on it so will check both of these points before putting into service.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1496763 22-Feb-2016 08:01

Just to close this off. All suggestions above completed including a fresh firmware update to the latest version. No dice. The only conclusion I can reach is this was a hardware failure. Took going through few departments and different people, but eventually a new modem see's everything back to normal.

I am impressed by how well the new modems are already set up to just plug and play, a small but very nice touch.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation