Wifi dropping out

[NoBeer]

Hi,

I’ve been trying to fix an issue where wifi connected devices can’t access the internet.  It happens sometimes for a very short time and then fixes itself and I can live with that.  But every so often, (sometimes days, sometimes weeks) it happens and the only thing you can do is reboot the (Sagecom) router. 

Devices connected by ethernet (eg youview box) are not usually affected.  And oddly, a pc connected by ethernet to a wifi extender (TPLink RE540) is usually not affected.

I’m also trying to improve wifi coverage and have two wifi extenders: the RE450 and a TPLink N300.  Sometimes you also have to reboot the wifi extenders.

I used the WiFI Analyzer app and could see that my 2.4GHz wifi was on channel 11 and it was very crowded with several BT wifi, Plusnet and Sky all using the same channel.  Something similar on 5GHz.  At the back of the house, 4 of these networks had stronger signal than my own.

I changed my wifi channels to 1 and 48 and speed and coverage seemed to improve.  When I manually change the channel on the router, the two range extenders automatically follow to the same channel, which is good.  But the wifi reverts to channel 11 after a day or so…sometimes sooner. 

I suspect TalkTalk’s wifi optimisation is now causing more problems than it solves, and I’d like to turn it off to see if this brings any improvement. 

Is this forum the right place to request that, or do I need to go elsewhere?

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Thanks for your help @KeithFrench 

[KeithFrench]

You're very welcome @NoBeer 

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi NoBeer

Thanks for letting us know 🙂

If you do experience any further issues then please post back here.

Thanks again.

Debbie

[NoBeer]

Wifi booster arrived on Sunday, thank you.

Setup was very straightforward and positioning would have also been straightforward if I was only trying to fix 1 dead spot. But to replace my two tplink boosters, I am trying to fix 3/4 deadspots.  The fact that the new booster has a separate cable and can be placed a little way from the socket (as opposed to simply plugging it in) does give a bit more flexibility on placement.

To cut a long story short, I seem to have positioned the new booster to give good coverage everywhere I need it; I have disconnected my previous extenders; and I have reset a couple of wifi devices that relied on the old extenders. So everything is looking rosy using just the router and wifi booster.

Only time will tell, but thank you Keith and Debbie for getting me here.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi NoBeer

How are you getting on, have you received the WIFI booster?

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi NoBeer

The WIFI booster is on the way, please allow 24-48hrs for this to arrive.

Please let us know how you get on.

Thanks

Debbie 🙂

[NoBeer]

Yes please.🙂

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi NoBeer

Would you like me to send a WIFI booster/adapter to see how the connection compares?

[KeithFrench]

Just click on my avatar & follow the send message option to PM me.

[NoBeer]

Thanks Keith.

I will take some screenshots and send them to you.  I haven't yet found out how to PM on here, but I'll try.

The N300 is positioned towards the back of the house on the ground floor to extend coverage to the kitchen at the very back of the house and the garage outside (where I have a camera and a smart plug) It makes the difference between not quite reaching and just about reaching.

The RE450 is positioned on the first floor in the middle of the house to extend coverage to a loft bedroom and a bedroom at the back of the house. This is a bit hit and miss...sometimes the main router is best and sometimes the extender.  This was originally also used to provide ethernet to a desktop during covid so questioning it now is not a bad idea.

[NoBeer]

Thank you, Debbie

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi NoBeer

I've switched the WIFI optimisation off again.

Thanks

Debbie

[KeithFrench · Accepted solution]

It would only come back on if you factory default the router's configuration.

If you want to send me screenshots from your WiFi analyser I can check them for you. Do you really need to use two wifi extenders: the RE450 and a TPLink N300, because too many of them can make the signal worse?

[NoBeer]

I spoke too soon.

I've had issues dropping off the internet for the past 10 days or so.  It got to the point that it has happened nearly every night for the last 6 nights.

I'm told wifi optimisation should stay off until there has been a hard reset. But it seems to be happening regularly. It particularly seems to be happening whenever there is a power off/on cycle, which I've had to do nearly every day for the last 6 days.

Having done a line test recently, an openreach engineer came today to check the line and equipment. He replaced the master socket and I hoped that would solve my problems. Within 2 hours, the wifi had switched channels, and dropped off the internet again.

Please will you turn off optimisation again.

Please can you comment on whether a power off would cause the optimisation to come back on. Or could it be that my router is faulty and is doing a hard reset when it shouldn't?

[Karl-TalkTalk]

Hi

I've sent you a quick survey to complete, via PM.

Thanks  

Karl. 

[Karl-TalkTalk]

Hi

that's great news, thanks for letting us know.

Regards,

Karl. 

[NoBeer]

I've waited a few days before replying.  Yes, yhank you, everything seems fine now.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Vince

Has everything been working ok since your last post?

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Vince

The only times I've seen it keep turning back on is when the firmware has been updated or the router reset.

If this happens again then please post back here and let us know.

Thanks

[NoBeer]

I havent reset the router.  Have you any ideas why the optimisation keeps turning on?

Vince