Devices lose WiFi often

[JensLondon]

Hi

My broadband connection works fine in principle. 

However, my connected devices sometimes a few times a day stop receiving data from the router via WiFi. 

What I then have to do is turn WiFi off not he device, and turn it back on, so that a fresh connection to the router is established. 

Surely that can't be right. 

How do I even go about getting help for this problem? The router is 4 years old if that matters, and it is the standard TalkTalk router.

[KeithFrench]

I have received one screenshot from NetSpot from @JensLondon , which means I still need to see the complete set, namely:-

1. Networks around you (AP view) – please ensure that all networks are selected and that all of your SSIDs are shown in the window. Make use of sorting the SSID column, the vertical scrollbar to achieve this. If you have any Wi-Fi extenders, or printers broadcasting networks, then I need to see these as well.
2. Signal strength graph – please highlight one network per band in the AP list first. Let this run for 5 mins before taking each screenshot.
3. Channels 2.4GHz – please highlight each network in the 2.4GHz band in the AP list and then take as many screenshots as you have networks in this band.
4. Channels 5GHz – please highlight each network in the 5GHz band in the AP list and then take as many screenshots as you have networks in this band.

I also need to know your SSID (network name).

[KeithFrench]

Hi @JensLondon 

Do not worry about interpreting the results, I will do that for you. I will send a PM to you that contains a link for a guide of mine on Wi-Fi interference. It is quite long (about 30 pages), but you will probably only need to look at three or four pages in total. Initially look at the section called "Are you suffering from interference – prove it first". This is the first link in the table of contents. This section includes full details of free Wi-Fi analysers that I recommend for Windows, Windows phone, Android and Apple operating systems. However, I have no way of testing the Apple product. Select the analyser of your choice & my guide explains how to use it.

If you are using Wi-Fi Scanner, then please attach the zip file to this thread. As soon as I have downloaded it, I will remove the attachment from your post, to preserve your privacy.

With all other analysers, please follow my instructions below.

Collect the screenshots that I require and include them in your reply.

Please post the screenshots to me in a PM (to protect your privacy), which I have requested in my guide. No photos please as they can be difficult to read, because the text can get out of focus when zoomed in. Please ensure that the analyser window is maximised (if Windows) before taking the screenshots & upload them via the "Insert Photos" button (in a mobile browser it's the picture icon) on the post editor's toolbar with the Size parameter set to Large.

[JensLondon]

Thanks it runs on 5 GHz

[JensLondon]

Thanks, it's a Sagemcom router.  

It is true that I never had this problem the first two years or so, and since then it has become worse and worse.

[KeithFrench]

Slow speed, intermittent dropouts, breaks in the signal or no signal on some or all devices or no internet access might be caused by Wi-Fi interference from other local networks, which can also lead to a permanent reduction in speed. No ISP can be responsible for your local environment, this is mainly a byproduct of the popularity of Wi-Fi.

Generally speaking, the 2.4GHz band suffers a lot more from interference than the much faster 5GHz band, but the 2.4GHz one can sometimes have a better range, but this all depends on your local area.

In other words, I try to help you optimise your Wi-Fi connection. The next stage involves sending out a guide to you to help you get me some important diagnostic results so that I can analyse them for you and recommend changes to your router configuration to solve them.

I only send this out to people who request it.

The information below is provided by TalkTalk, for confirmation please contact @Debbie-TalkTalk or@Michelle-TalkTalk.

KeithFrench is one of our valued Community Stars and can help with a range of issues related to wireless and networking. At times he may ask you to send him test results via a Private Message to help analyse/diagnose an issue. Although Keith does not work for TalkTalk, he very kindly shares his time and knowledge to help with others.

If you need further help or, if we need to take any details such as personal information about your account like phone numbers, account numbers etc. one of the TalkTalk team will jump in and help out.

[Gliwmaeden2]

There have been both Sagemcom routers and Huawei ones in the past 4 years.

Check the very small print on the label stuck under the area where you can retrieve the password etc for the make.

The Huawei one is not receiving updates and is no longer issued.

Staff will be back after the weekend. 

Ensure that your profile information is filled with the Talktalk landline telephone number or account number. Go via your avatar; settings etc to access the profile area. SAVE CHANGES.