Wireless connection drops off briefly and often

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Wireless connection drops off briefly and often - experts at a loss

tigger

50 posts

Geek

#110126 3-Oct-2012 15:49

Hi there, hoping the experts on this forum can help.

I have a connectivity issue with wireless in that it drops off several times at day, randomly and unrelated to any other phone or computer activities in the place, and briefly - like seconds to a couple of minutes. This has gone on for many many months. Needless to say, being online all the time with work and trying to skype etc , it is a pain. There is a laptop, desktop, iPad and smartphone all on the same wireless connection and all drop off at the same time.

The steps taken to date:

1. Asked telecom who say they see no issues at all registering up to the jack point from external
2. Replaced every connection from the computer to the telephone jack with new ie phone cable, and electric cable etc
3. Replaced router four times ie first one had been in place for a long time with the issue, then replaced with a new brand and changed that one another two times as tech thought that was the issue
4. Changed the channel (from 1 to 13) on the router, with no change to the issue
5. A review of the errors log etc on router programme do not explain what the issue is to the technician
6. The computer tech has suggested I contact electronics diagnostics as he thinks it may be some sort of radio wave interference - contacted all the local outfits and no, they do not do that sort of thing.

So, I am stuck. Do I live with it or are you able to make a recommendation or two on how to resolve please?

1 | 2 | 3

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#695656 3-Oct-2012 16:32

You don?t mention whether you have checked the connection with a wired (ethernet) connection.

Assuming you have, and that it is fine, then interference seems the most likely answer,but unfortunately that could be a whole load of things from cordless phones (don?t forget your neighbours have phones too, it might not be yours!) to microwaves, wireless keyboards etc

trig42

5815 posts

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#695671 3-Oct-2012 16:48

tigger: Hi there, hoping the experts on this forum can help.

I have a connectivity issue with wireless in that it drops off several times at day, randomly and unrelated to any other phone or computer activities in the place, and briefly - like seconds to a couple of minutes. This has gone on for many many months. Needless to say, being online all the time with work and trying to skype etc , it is a pain. There is a laptop, desktop, iPad and smartphone all on the same wireless connection and all drop off at the same time.

The steps taken to date:

1. Asked telecom who say they see no issues at all registering up to the jack point from external
2. Replaced every connection from the computer to the telephone jack with new ie phone cable, and electric cable etc
3. Replaced router four times ie first one had been in place for a long time with the issue, then replaced with a new brand and changed that one another two times as tech thought that was the issue
4. Changed the channel (from 1 to 13) on the router, with no change to the issue
5. A review of the errors log etc on router programme do not explain what the issue is to the technician
6. The computer tech has suggested I contact electronics diagnostics as he thinks it may be some sort of radio wave interference - contacted all the local outfits and no, they do not do that sort of thing.

So, I am stuck. Do I live with it or are you able to make a recommendation or two on how to resolve please?

You say you have had the router replaced 4 times. Is it with the same model each time?
Also, I would not be using CH13, not all devices support it. Use 1,6 or 11.

Can you download a wireless network scanner and see what else is around you?

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#695678 3-Oct-2012 16:48

Can the desktop PC be plugged into Ethernet?

If the desktop remains connected, then one can focus on the WiFi as a possible problem and not the router/modem infrastructure.

What does the PC application inSSIDer see?

You can't run inSSIDer all the time as it's monitoring feature degrades the WiFi interface you're monitoring on.

Are you using 20MHz bandwidth or 40MHz?

What is the available WiFi bandwidth ie. 150Mbs, 72Mbps,54Mbps etc.

Are you using 802.11n or 802.11g or mixed?

What modem/router are you currently using?

How far from the modem/router are the devices?

Channel 13 20MHz is a smart move to test as it's not normally under conflict from other WiFi AP.

What does the event logs on the router/modem say?

Are the outages during the day or the night or both(random)?

Is one of the WiFi devices always on when these drops happen?
Has the drop-out happened when one or the other WiFi devices have been turned off, thus eliminating a given device as a possible problem?

With WiFi only one device can 'talk' to the WiFi Access Point at a time. So one device could 'hang' the WiFi and thus the others will fail on a timeout with an ensuing reconnect. But that's grasping at straws without knowning more information.

[Update] Sorry guys above, we're all saying the same thing. One of my colouring in crayons broke and it took me a bit of time to find another. :-)... Just two finger taper.

tigger

50 posts

Geek

#695700 3-Oct-2012 17:17

Hi, will try to answer ....

DrStrangelove: Can the desktop PC be plugged into Ethernet? << Have plugged in the laptop (the main machine i work on) and no drop offs on laptop OR other devices, as far as I can tell as not working on those but partner notices on desktop/iPad when my laptop drops off

If the desktop remains connected, then one can focus on the WiFi as a possible problem and not the router/modem infrastructure.

What does the PC application inSSIDer see? <<don't know - where to look for this info?

You can't run inSSIDer all the time as it's monitoring feature degrades the WiFi interface you're monitoring on.

Are you using 20MHz bandwidth or 40MHz? <<don't know - where to look for this info?

What is the available WiFi bandwidth ie. 150Mbs, 72Mbps,54Mbps etc. <<don't know - where to look for this info?

Are you using 802.11n or 802.11g or mixed? <<don't know - where to look for this info?

What modem/router are you currently using? << TP Link

How far from the modem/router are the devices? << Within a metre for desktop/laptop. iPad another room

Channel 13 20MHz is a smart move to test as it's not normally under conflict from other WiFi AP. <<yes, think that is why tecchie did that

What does the event logs on the router/modem say?

Are the outages during the day or the night or both(random)? <<random night and day, no pattern to speak of

Is one of the WiFi devices always on when these drops happen? <<I only see it when a device is on, so not sure

Has the drop-out happened when one or the other WiFi devices have been turned off, thus eliminating a given device as a possible problem? <<yes, iPad off, so could turn desk top off and laptop to try either or

With WiFi only one device can 'talk' to the WiFi Access Point at a time. So one device could 'hang' the WiFi and thus the others will fail on a timeout with an ensuing reconnect. But that's grasping at straws without knowning more information. <<thanks point taken and assume if I try one device at a time and see what is happening with interruption on each...will get back on that point

[Update] Sorry guys above, we're all saying the same thing. One of my colouring in crayons broke and it took me a bit of time to find another. :-)... Just two finger taper.

tigger

50 posts

Geek

#695704 3-Oct-2012 17:20

As far as "What does the event logs on the router/modem say?" The tecchie logged onto that from external and not sure how to access. Sorry as not got that sorted myself. He logged into something on my screen and came up with the TP Link diagnostics and said not everything was on the one page - had to look at 'error' 'warning' etc etc and said he couldn't determine anything from those. If you advise how I get into there I can copy and post...

tigger

50 posts

Geek

#695705 3-Oct-2012 17:21

And I have a wireless keyboard - also changed throughout the period x2.

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#695710 3-Oct-2012 17:24

Assuming you've ruled out the wired connections doing the same thing (I assume they work fine) then you need to either try a different model wifi AP or look at what wifi networks are around you or anything else that could be interferring.

Do they drop at the same time of the day? Start logging when the wifi goes down and see if there's any pattern.
Also, do you have a 5ghz router + 5ghz gear? If so, try switching to 5ghz and see if it still happens.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

tigger

50 posts

Geek

#695711 3-Oct-2012 17:27

trig42:
tigger: Hi there, hoping the experts on this forum can help.

I have a connectivity issue with wireless in that it drops off several times at day, randomly and unrelated to any other phone or computer activities in the place, and briefly - like seconds to a couple of minutes. This has gone on for many many months. Needless to say, being online all the time with work and trying to skype etc , it is a pain. There is a laptop, desktop, iPad and smartphone all on the same wireless connection and all drop off at the same time.

The steps taken to date:

1. Asked telecom who say they see no issues at all registering up to the jack point from external
2. Replaced every connection from the computer to the telephone jack with new ie phone cable, and electric cable etc
3. Replaced router four times ie first one had been in place for a long time with the issue, then replaced with a new brand and changed that one another two times as tech thought that was the issue
4. Changed the channel (from 1 to 13) on the router, with no change to the issue
5. A review of the errors log etc on router programme do not explain what the issue is to the technician
6. The computer tech has suggested I contact electronics diagnostics as he thinks it may be some sort of radio wave interference - contacted all the local outfits and no, they do not do that sort of thing.

So, I am stuck. Do I live with it or are you able to make a recommendation or two on how to resolve please?

You say you have had the router replaced 4 times. Is it with the same model each time?
Also, I would not be using CH13, not all devices support it. Use 1,6 or 11.

Can you download a wireless network scanner and see what else is around you?

Arrgh, lost my reply on this one.

first router different brand and next 3 the same - all same problem.

Channel - OK maybe should try a different one first?

Wireless scanner - recommend any? And then what? Does it tell me if conflict on bandwidth etc - sorry have no idea what the tech stuff is....but whatever the issue is?

tigger

50 posts

Geek

#695714 3-Oct-2012 17:32

kyhwana2: Assuming you've ruled out the wired connections doing the same thing (I assume they work fine) then you need to either try a different model wifi AP or look at what wifi networks are around you or anything else that could be interferring.

Do they drop at the same time of the day? Start logging when the wifi goes down and see if there's any pattern.
Also, do you have a 5ghz router + 5ghz gear? If so, try switching to 5ghz and see if it still happens.

Hi, yes, wired there is no issue.

'different model wifi AP' - sorry, not sure what you mean.

Yes, could down load a scanner to see what is interfering, assuming that is what the scanner does? Recommendation?

There is absolutely no pattern whatsoever - can be lots sometime not so often, night or day, no peak times etc

Not sure about gHz - it says on manual 300Mbps Wireless N ADSL2+. You will be pulling your hair out about now...

tdgeek

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#695721 3-Oct-2012 17:58

---------Are you using 20MHz bandwidth or 40MHz? <
TPLink interface - Wireless-Advanced. I used 40Mhz, had same issue, fixed at 20Mhz

tigger

50 posts

Geek

#695724 3-Oct-2012 18:06

tdgeek: ---------Are you using 20MHz bandwidth or 40MHz? <<don't know - where to look for this info?------

TPLink interface - Wireless-Advanced. I used 40Mhz, had same issue, fixed at 20Mhz

Hey thanks tdgeek. Where do I find that out please? I put TPLink etc in the 'search programs..' but not the right place. Perhaps I'll ring the techhie back tomorrow and suggest he changes it for me since you had the same issue.

tdgeek

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#695738 3-Oct-2012 18:19

tigger:
tdgeek: ---------Are you using 20MHz bandwidth or 40MHz? <<don't know - where to look for this info?------

TPLink interface - Wireless-Advanced. I used 40Mhz, had same issue, fixed at 20Mhz

Hey thanks tdgeek. Where do I find that out please? I put TPLink etc in the 'search programs..' but not the right place. Perhaps I'll ring the techhie back tomorrow and suggest he changes it for me since you had the same issue.

To access the modem interface, enter 192.168.1.1 into the address bar of your browser. The menu is on the left, go to Wireless, then Advanced. Hope this helps

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#695739 3-Oct-2012 18:19

Dude, like is your brain starting to hurt yet with all these questions :-) ?

So we have a TP-Link ?????? TD-W8960 ???

This helps us understand if we have 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz frequencies available on a give device.

If we switched one device on 5GHz and it remains stable while other device using the 2.4GHz frequency failed. we then can focus on what is disrupting the 2.4GHz signal.

Apple products do not always play nice with 40MHz channels either, but wouldn't expect that to be the overall problem.

inSSIDer is a WiFi analyser it can be downloaded from the following URL.

http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/

tigger

50 posts

Geek

#695780 3-Oct-2012 19:35

Thanks guys, will get back on this in the morning. Appreciate you taking the time. Might save some $$ if I can resolve it myself ;D

timmmay

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#695922 4-Oct-2012 08:24

Do you have a cordless phone? Do the outages correspond with the times someone's using the phone? That'd be very easy to try.

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