Occcasional WiFi Instability

[mike-wsm]

I'm running BT Hub 3 with Mid Tablet on gingerbread.

I generally disable WiFi before switching off (to standby). Usually I can switch on and connect ok but occasionally I get WiFi error (seen via Settings) and have to do full power-down and restart.

I've added WiFi Fixer app which seems to help but it sometimes reconnects to a different BT WiFi (which may come from my own hub).

Start and stop WiFi are available on the standard desktop widget, or through Settings, or through WiFi Manager widget, and it doesn't seem to make any difference which I use.

The building is a bit foggy, intercom, call system, and digital tvs cause rfi on am/fm/dab. WiFi signal is good, -62 to -58dBm.

Not a big problem, always solved by restart, but it would be nice to know what causes the error condition.

[OFSO]

it would be nice to know what causes the error condition

Indeed it would but.....

The most rock-solid connection to my wifi router is the HTC phone (when it doesn't latch on to the ten or twelve other wifi systems in the neighbourhood that I haven't clicked as "ignore" that is). The worst at connecting is the Acer Aspire One.

But there are times when connection is impossible and I have to reset the router. Comes back on, same parameters as before, but this time all devices (which I've left running and looking for it) happily latch on to it.

Most knowledgable people I've talked to say "from time to time it just happens".

[mike-wsm]

OFSO

Awww, thanks, good to know it's a whole world problem, shan't worry any more.

[Milo Minderbinder]

That BT hub will also have a couple of unsecured networks for the use of other BT subscribers. (Unsecured, but you need to log into them once connected). I think you'll find that your machine is attempted to connect to those preferntially because they appear to be "open". It can become a right PITA
Two choices - one is to log those two BT connections in the device software and list them as "blocked" - not sure if thats possible in Android though
The other is to simply turn them off - for that you need to log into your BT online admin account and do it (you cannot simply do it from within the BT router software), or else call BT support and get them to do it.
The downside is that if you optout of the BT network sharing system, you won't be able to log into anyone else's BT hub

[mike-wsm]

Thanks Milo, yes probably btfon and btopenzone from my own hub. My new wifi manager has let me disable them. Possibly wifi fixer was being too clever so he's been uninstalled. So all's well until I venture into ice cream sandwich land.

[Mike-Bracknell]

Download a copy of InSSIDer, and it should help you diagnose things at least.

Change Your Wi-Fi Router Channel to Optimize Your Wireless Signal - How-To Geek should give you the basics. You're looking to change your AP's channel so that it gives least interference with other wifi around the area.

Also, things like CB sideband, DECT phones, Bluetooth, etc can all degrade a wifi signal. Be mindful of where you site your AP too.

HTH

Mike.

[mixture]

What Mike said.

Either that, or just run some CAT5/CAT6 cable and rid yourself of Wifi instability.

[mike-wsm]

Thanks guys,

My bt hub 3 has channel-hopping agility built in and wifi manager app shows my three signals currently on channel 6 with a neighbour's three hub 2 signals on channel 1 so that seems to be covered.

Not a lot I can do about smog, oldies flats with intercom, alarms etc. I don't have anything else like bluetooth or microwave cooker runnning but dunno about her upstairs.

I'm relaxing in my favourite armchair holding a tiny tablet, definitely don't want it umbilicalled to the router, would rather have to do an occasional reboot.

Thanks for your kind help.

[jimtherev]

Perhaps I'm just fortunate, because I haven't had a signal drop out since I changed to wireless 12 months ago when I moved here. Which is perhaps strange in view of the experience of some of the posters here, 'cos when I look at the environment using the wifi signal tracker on my tablet, the area is lousy with viable signals, some of 'em unsecured.
But what intrigues me is that - even when I'm sitting still with the tab on the desk (and the router downstairs isn't moving afaik) the signals (including mine) can change by as much as 10db in a matter of seconds.
Stange things these emf's...

[Milo Minderbinder]

Stagecoach round here have just brought back our local new fleet of double deckers which were borrowed for the Olympics, and during their holiday in the smoke they've all been fitted with free unsecured wi-fi
Great idea, but I hate to think whats going to happen as these buses ply their way through the city terrances around here at ten minute intervals.....I can see peoples PCs suddenly shifting networks every time a bus drives past the front door
I'm expecting some interesting phone calls

[Ancient Observer]

My android with gingerbread is a complete bed hopping tart, (male or female). It'll log in to any available wi-fi. Especially when it is in Ancient Towers.
Whislt the Sony tv, the panasonic tv and the Panasonic dvd player all behave themselves, as do the various laptops that drift in to and out of Ancient Towers, the phone seems to dislike the most secure wi-fi, and love either my or my neighbours fons &etc.

However, as it is so quick to get it back in line, it's not too much of a hassle.

[Golden Rivet]

I threw my BT Hub 3 in the bin and purchased a Netgear WNDR4500....

Not had any problems with wifi since.

[mixture]

I've been playing around with a Netgear WNDAP360 recently which is also doesn't make a bad access point for guests to use.

[Ancient Observer]

Best modem/router for wi-fi?

Following Golden's point about binning BT Hubs, I have a BT Hub 2. It has given stalwart service. (Except when it didn't, when eventually BT sent out a new one).
All seems fine, other than I worry about all the demands on the wi-fi. (Two tvs on wi-fi, one Sky catch up gadget, one dvd player, multiple phones and pcs, and SWMBOs ipad), not all on at the same time.

As the technology is beyond me, should I worry about all these gadgets on an oldish BT wi-fi set up? Should I consider an upgrade to a newer modem/router, and if I did get a new, branded one, such as Netgear, would it deliver a better/ reliable signal??
I do not currently have any problems and I've done all the simple checks - using the ipad to check speeds and so on around the house, (although I can only do 1 speedcheck at a time), and the router is in a reasonable place to cover most of the house, so my question is more about overall capacity.
I have a good basic line speed in to the house of 16 whatnots per whatever.
Maybe I should leave well alone until it dies?

[Saab Dastard]

I do not currently have any problems

AO, that's the strongest argument for leaving well alone!

SD

[Milo Minderbinder]

it works
does it do what you want it to do?
if so, leave alone

[mike-wsm]

Old Californian Proverb

"If it aint broke dont fix it"

The only thing a Hub 3 would do is to add some channel agility, useful if you really need it.

[Ancient Observer]

Thanks all.

I'll leave it alone.

If any of the video streaming services give up - as I'm sure they will some time when they are all on, I can always stick in another Homeplug instead. (Apols to GG who hates them)

[Nervous SLF]

We are having problems with our Broadband disconnecting from both my desktop computer and SWMBO's laptop.

We had this problem with our Belkin and separate modem so on advice from NZ Telecom we bought a new combined
unit from them but we are still having the same problem. As I know virtually nothing about setting this equipment up
we got a professional from a large company to change everything over. My desktop is wired direct into the modem.
We have tried turning either the desktop or laptop off to see if either effects this problem and the result never
alters. It just doesn't work but It doesn't happen at the same time every day and it varies for length of time as well.
Oh yes and having any other electrical equipment on or off makes no difference either.

I told NZ Telecom that we have no problem with the phone and never hear any noise on the line. Upon me telling their
helpdesk lady this she instantly asked me what noise I was hearing so I had to explain that I had said we didn't hear
any noise

She then tested the line and said it was a very good line - we were talking whilst the broadband was down but within
a couple of minutes it worked again and has done so since. They have also said that there were no interruptions showing
up on some of the days we had problems but she has put it on a 12 hour monitor again. This lady from NZ Telecom
then told me that Windows 8.1 is known for having Wi-Fi problems. I got the
impression that she was now trying to blame my wife's 2 month old HP laptop but as we had this problem with her old ACER
using Windows 7 I can't see how.

Any advice would be welcome Thanks.

[alexmartin11]

Try to check the channel if it's congested. OP says use inSSIDer, we also use this and it's helpful. They will provide you list of channels that are being used in your location. You can also check the signal i each room and what activity you want to have on a certain location. Most people who knows to change the channel of their router uses 1/6/11 since they don't overlap each other.