topic Re: WiFi channel not "sticking" in Broadband

WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:48:28 GMT

I manually set my 2.4GHz wifi to channel 6, as most of my devices are in an area affected by a neighbours ch 1 router, which my router can't see, and therefore doesn't know it needs to avoid.

However, I'm lucky if my manual configuration sticks for more than a couple of days before switching back to Ch1. I always know when this happens as connections get really flaky and I have to go up and set it back again.

What's causing this?
The router (TalkTalk Wi-Fi Hub version SG4K100136) isn't rebooting, I just thinks it knows better, from it's very limited view of the world.

There's also a security system operating on Ch11 in the other direction, also beyond what the router can see, hence my choice of ch 6.

I've already had to switch off my 5Gz completely , as it kept redirecting devices to use it, even though the coverage wasn't strong enough to make it usable.

For the last 6 months (or so) we've also see a lot more instances of "Wifi with no Internet connect" on devices, even when the wifi signal is strong and there's no problem with internet connection from ethernet-connected clients.

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

ferguson — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:58:53 GMT

There is a network-based "optimisation" system which can override your individual choices for WiFi channel settings. The support team here can turn that off for you, would you like them them to do that?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:41:25 GMT

I like the way you put "optimisation" in quotes, as I have lots of alternative terms for that behaviour.

Why would they do this?

Yes please SWITCH IT OFF.

Do you have any fixes for the "wifi no internet" issue or a way that I can enable 5Gz without it further compromising connectivity?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Debbie-TalkTalk — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:38:26 GMT

Hi Warpcoil

I have switched the WIFI optimisation off, please let us know how the connection compares.

Thanks

Debbie

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Debbie-TalkTalk — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 08:20:19 GMT

Hi Warpcoil

How's the connection been since the WIFI optimisation was switched off?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 09:02:50 GMT

So far, so good, at least the router is staying on ch 6, so we're not getting the interference.

Still getting the odd "wifi connected, no internet" when the Ethernet devices are fine.

Not tried re-enabling the 5Ghz band yet.

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Debbie-TalkTalk — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 09:12:40 GMT

Hi Warpcoil

Thanks for your reply.

Would you like me to update your router firmware to the latest version to see how the connection compares?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:53:15 GMT

I'm aware of a later version that doesn't allow the use of alternative DNS, which would be an issue for me.

Is this "the latest" or has that since been fixed?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Debbie-TalkTalk — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:41:16 GMT

Hi Warpcoil

I'm just checking this with the Devices Team and I will post back shortly.

Thanks

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Debbie-TalkTalk — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:43:57 GMT

Hi Warpcoil

Just to confirm, do you mean that you are unable to log into the router admin page to make changes?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:39:30 GMT

I don't have any issue accessing the router now.

I recall (maybe incorrectly) that there was a later version of the firmware for this device, which had a problem with alternative DNS servers being set, causing issues with access to employers networks.

Do you have the release notes for the latest firmware?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Debbie-TalkTalk — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:43:52 GMT

Hi Warpcoil

The latest firmware has the fix for the issue with VPN. We don't have the full release notes sorry.

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:01:33 GMT

Thanks for checking.

It sounds like "update to latest" might be a good plan. 👍

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Chris-TalkTalk — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:21:00 GMT

Hi Warpcoil,

Would you like us to update the firmware now, it can take up to 10 minutes to complete?

Chris

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:06:35 GMT

Whenever you're ready.

We need to go out for a couple of hours anyway.

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 18:48:36 GMT

Hi,

We're back and the update hasn't happened.

I see you'd connected about 14:11, so before I'd given the go-ahead.

Did you decide to not to do it on a Friday afternoon, when I wasn't around to check, in case it was having issues over the weekend?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Debbie-TalkTalk — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 05:37:35 GMT

Hi Warpcoil

Apologies, we were waiting for you to confirm if we could go ahead and update the firmware.

Please let me know what time would be best today to do the firmware.

Thanks

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:22:19 GMT

Can I just check, will it retain any configuration changes that I've made, such as static addresses for printers, or will I have to enter those again?

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Debbie-TalkTalk — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 05:57:59 GMT

Hi Warpcoil

This should stay the same, the firmware update does not factory reset the router.

Re: WiFi channel not "sticking"

Warpcoil — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:00:18 GMT

In that case, any time this morning should be fine.

Just drop a post here when it's done.

Thanks