WiFi Issue Help

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Senecio

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#318402 14-Jan-2025 13:31

Looking for any help I can get on the following frustrating WiFi issue.

Some background. I've been running a WiFi 5 mesh setup via a pair of Amplifi HD routers connected by Ethernet backhaul for years. Never had an issue with this setup until I returned from the Christmas break to no internet. After a long period of troubleshooting I diagnosed the problem to a dead WAN port on the main HD router. Time for a replacement and upgrade.

Decided to replace my mesh setup with these TP-Link Deco units. Deco BE65

Everything set-up and everything is running fine for all wired and wireless clients. Except, this 2017 Intel based MacBook Pro that I'm currently typing on constantly drops wireless connection. And by constantly, I mean every 60secs. Every 60 seconds I need to turn WiFi off and back on again to re-establish a connection. No issues with any other WiFi clients and when I connect this laptop by ethernet there are no disconnects. I did some Googling and the only thing that I could find was that some Intel Macs weren't compatible with 160MHz wide 5Ghz WiFi bands which was the default setting on the Deco units when shipped. I've set the 5GHz band back to 80MHz.

In terms of troubleshooting to date I've already tried the following.

Forgetting the WiFi network and setting it up from scratch. Done this multiple times.
Checked the WiFi settings on this device vs the settings on my wife's M1 MacBook Air and they are identical
This morning I took this device into the office an connected it to our corporate BYOD network to rule out any issues with this device. No disconnects so far today.

Anything further that I can try?

networkn

Networkn
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#3331431 14-Jan-2025 13:45

Are the Decos up to date? Can you create a 2.4hz only network and connect the macbook to it?

See if you can use a lower Encrytion like WPA2 if you are currently running WPA3 or else.

Drop the bandwidth from 160 to 80 and test as well.

Make one change at a time.

Senecio

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#3331434 14-Jan-2025 13:51

networkn:

Are the Decos up to date? Can you create a 2.4hz only network and connect the macbook to it?

See if you can use a lower Encrytion like WPA2 if you are currently running WPA3 or else.

Drop the bandwidth from 160 to 80 and test as well.

Make one change at a time.

Yes, firmware is up to date. I've already dropped the bandwidth from 160 to 80 without any improvement. I will try setting up a 2.4GHz only network and dropping down to WPA2 when I get home tonight.

Thanks for the suggestions.

r0bbie

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#3331435 14-Jan-2025 13:52

Thats a wifi7 deco - is there a new driver to try on the laptop nic?

networkn

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#3331438 14-Jan-2025 14:14

Also, though I assume you've tried this, but a different (lower) channel. Adapters from 2017 may not properly understand higher channels.

Last resort unsure if there is a usb adapter you could buy if it turns out they just aren't compatible. I've seen it a few times over the years.

Senecio

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#3331441 14-Jan-2025 14:20

r0bbie:

Thats a wifi7 deco - is there a new driver to try on the laptop nic?

Don't know. The OS is up to date but I've never had to install drivers on a Mac. Will look into it. Do you where I should look for drivers?

Senecio

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#3331442 14-Jan-2025 14:22

networkn:

Also, though I assume you've tried this, but a different (lower) channel. Adapters from 2017 may not properly understand higher channels.

Last resort unsure if there is a usb adapter you could buy if it turns out they just aren't compatible. I've seen it a few times over the years.

Haven't tried lower channel yet. Will add that to my list of things to try when I get home.

nzkc

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#3331455 14-Jan-2025 14:59

Senecio:

networkn:

Also, though I assume you've tried this, but a different (lower) channel. Adapters from 2017 may not properly understand higher channels.

Last resort unsure if there is a usb adapter you could buy if it turns out they just aren't compatible. I've seen it a few times over the years.

Haven't tried lower channel yet. Will add that to my list of things to try when I get home.

Along a similar vein, avoid (ideally remove) the DFS channels and test again. I recently found out some older NICs cant handle those. Took me a while to work out a couple of devices couldnt see the SSID when a laptop could - it was this.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

bagheera

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#3331526 14-Jan-2025 16:28

i remember coming across this for macs and it turn out to be the group key update interval - each time it rekey, mac drop - and turning off fixed it, was some time ago and firmware update of ap fixed the issue in the long run.

RunningMan

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#3331558 14-Jan-2025 17:26

Senecio: The OS is up to date but I've never had to install drivers on a Mac. Will look into it. Do you where I should look for drivers?

You don't. If the OS is from the last few years it should be fine with WPA3.

MadEngineer

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#3331586 14-Jan-2025 19:28

Is there a miss-configured AP that it keeps connecting to that doesn't have internet? Can you turn off all but one of the APs and see if it continues? If it plays up swap to the other and see if the problem stops.

What mode are they operating in? Is each one cabled to the router or are they in mesh mode and each is a repeater?

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.