Can't connect to WiFi even though everything apparently set up correctly

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Can't connect to WiFi even though everything apparently set up correctly

colmack

59 posts

Master Geek

#129006 31-Aug-2013 15:14

I am trying to set up my Belkin ADSL modem and Linksys wireless-N router (model WRT120N) in a new location. They worked perfectly together in my old apartment.
The modem installed and configured OK, and I get a good internet connection using the LAN cable direct to my PC.
I reset the router to its factory default, and then reconfigured it using the wizard on the CD that came with it. Everything runs smoothly, and it tells me it has installed and configured correctly, and is ready to use.
Everything seems to be OK - except I can't connect my smartphone (Samsung S3) to the WiFi signal! (It could be a phone problem not a modem/router problem, but it's the only wireless device I have on hand to test the signal. And it works OK using the old Thomson modem/router I'm trying to replace).
I've tried switching everything (phone, computer, modem, and router) off then on again after a couple of minutes.
I've tried re-configuring the router (twice). I tried different wireless security options thinking that might make a difference: when using WPA/WPA2 the phone "authenticates" for a small eternity after entering the password - normally it would connect to a new signal almost immediately. When using WEP the phone shows "disabled" immediately after entering the password.
I don't know what to do next, other than going back to the old system that I thought I was improving on!
I don't pretend to know much about this, so please keep any advice as non-technical as possible.

johnr

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#887408 31-Aug-2013 15:15

Remove all access point names it has stored off the WIFI on the handset

freitasm

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#887416 31-Aug-2013 15:44

What band is the router configured to use? Is the router configured to use one type of WiFi only (b/g/n)? Is the router using 20 MHz, 40MHz or Auto?

There are lots of things that can break it...

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kiwirock

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#887431 31-Aug-2013 16:28

johnr: Remove all access point names it has stored off the WIFI on the handset

Yep, like my iPod, otherwise it tries to connect with the old password stored sometimes - especially on a 'default' ssid setup.

kiwirock

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#887432 31-Aug-2013 16:31

Make sure you're only using one DHCP server too. If you have the Linksys LAN port connected to the Belkin (assuming not double NAT'ing through it's WAN port) then it could be a DHCP issue. I've experienced this before and it made it look like it was failing on the password (but no password error), except it was failing on being assigned an IP and just coming up with a could not connect generic warning.

colmack

59 posts

Master Geek

#887479 31-Aug-2013 17:57

Thanks for the responses, but they all appear to be written in Martian. I'd really appreciate reposting in simpler language! This may be the Geekzone Forum, but I'm only a Geeklet.
:-)

andrewNZ

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#887483 31-Aug-2013 18:09

What they said was

Tell the phone to forget the wifi network. It should then search for it and connect again like it's never seen it before. This will fix it if the phone was trying to use old information to log on.

Then, if that doesn't work.
Make sure only one of the devices (modem & router) have DHCP turned on (you'll have to use the devices web pages to change it probably). DHCP is the service that gives your devices an IP address, if you have 2 devices handing out addresses it goes pear shaped.

Hows that, simple enough?

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Inphinity

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#887539 31-Aug-2013 20:01

As above, you only have one device doing DHCP, and you've tried 'forget'ing all the SSIDs on the phone? Presumably you don't have MAC filtering enabled, and are you using WPA2-Personal with AES?

colmack

59 posts

Master Geek

#887596 31-Aug-2013 22:11

Hi Andrewnz, and thanks for translating for me!
I've tried telling the phone to forget the network, but the problem persists.
As far as I can make out only the modem has DHCP enabled.
It seems strange to me that the setup worked perfectly before (in a different location and using a different phone line and ISP). I've reset both the router and the modem to their factory defaults, so I don't understand why it shouldn't work just as if I was starting from scratch. And, as I say, the modem works fine with a LAN cable connection, and the router setup wizard tells me on completion that everything is set up and configured correctly.
If I can't get it sorted by tomorrow afternoon I'll have to set everythin back up how it was, using the inferior Thompson router. Well, supposedly inferior - but at least it works!

PJ48

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#887624 31-Aug-2013 22:41

Does the Belkin also have a Wifi transmitter? If so - Are you sure that you havent inadvertently set up the Belkin with the Wifi still on ( assuming you only want to get Wifi from the Link-Sys) and it and the Link-sys may be trying to transmit on the same channel which will cause massive interference?

Spyware

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#887625 31-Aug-2013 22:43

Maybe you can make it clear as to whether the Belkin connects to the WAN or LAN interfaces on the Linksys.

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colmack

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Master Geek

#887754 1-Sep-2013 13:20

Thanks for all the responses. Problem solved - everything is now working, and I can confirm what I had been advised: the Belkin modem / Linksys router is a much better option than the Thompson modem/router it replaced (ie a stronger signal that doesn't drop out at the extreme edge of the wireless range, namely the other end of the apartment).
The solution? 100% human error - mine, of course - when setting up, I had confused the router password with the wireless security password, and entered it in the wrong place. I did warn everyone that I was only a geeklet and not a fully-formed Geek - now I've proved it! :-)

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kiwirock

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#887977 1-Sep-2013 22:05

Glad to hear it's all good.