Network device disconnects from wifi

[Rich57]

One of my network devices has disconnected from WiFi four times this year. I reconnect it using WPS but this involves climbing into the loft, which is rather inconvenient. To improve the connection I tried putting a WiFi extender in the loft, which is connected through the mains to a device close to the WiFi Hub. This has improved the signal level a little but the disconnection continues. The last incident was 3am today. Is there any investigation I can do at the Wi-Fi Hub?

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Rich57 

No problem for the delayed reply. It is probably worth checking for WiFi interference near the device(s) that drop out. I still need to know the make/model of router & extender that you have.

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.

[Rich57]

To answer your remaining questions, there is no inter-floor insulation but the loft insulation is foil-topped. There are no water tanks since the HP was installed. The solar inverter is steel-cased and 6m from the wifi extender. The HP control system is centrally-located and 2m from the wifi extender in line-of-sight. The solar inverter's wifi connection is rock solid; the only time I needed to reset it is when I changed router. The HP wifi interface loses its connection after a few days.

Sorry for this late reply - I have been unwell.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Rich57 

You will always have problems then, because the foil on the insulation reflects most, if not all WiFi signals away from it, depending on how the WiFi extender connects back to the router. Which make/model of WiFi hub & extender do you have?

[Rich57]

 Hi @KeithFrench . This device is a WiFi interface to heat pump control system manufactured by Mitsubishi (details attached).

My router is located close to the cable entry on the ground floor. The device is one of two in the loft of a two-storey detached house, the other being a solar inverter. The loft insulation has a metal foil covering and the HP control system is encased in a steel box. The WiFi interface is external to the steel box and only 2 m away from a WiFi extender. The inverter's WiFi interface doesn't have this problem.

Thanks for offering to help.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Rich57 

Disconnecting from any WiFi network, should not result in a new WPS connection.

All WPS does is after providing a simple way to connect the device initially, it tells the device the router's wireless network name & password, plus depending on what the device is, might clone a few other WiFi parameters as well. When the device subsequently reconnects to the WiFi network, it does so via the normal wireless connection method as it now knows the network name & password.

To enable me to help you, I need to know:-

1. The make/model of this device.
2. Where is the router situated within the property and what electronic equipment is nearby, plus are there any large metal objects, glass or water tanks between it & this device? What inter-floor and or loft insulation do you have? Is any of this the type that is encased in a metal foil covering?

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.