5G WiFi unreliability last few weeks Feb-Mar '23

[mistersharpe]

Can you advise when the last firmware upgrade was applied?

I noticed now there are hidden guest networks which weren't there before which implies there has been one. Current version: SG4K100158

The reason I ask is because about 3 to 5 times a day the Wi-Fi network drops. Both myself and wife work from home and our laptops and phones disconnect simultaneously. Whilst devices that are connected via ethernet remain online. It reconnects almost immediately but is enough to drop our VPN connections to work.

Workstations have not moved locations and neither has the router. The only thing I can think of is that the firmware has introduced this new issue.

Also the age-old issue of the 5G network channel resetting to the default has arisen again. For me, my property is very elevated and receives interference from several other networks on the default channel when this occurs.

Any advice or ideas on resolving this issue would be greatly received. It may be that both of this issues are one in the same.

Thanks,

Carl.

[KeithFrench]

Yes, there is another cause for the channel changing even with WiFi Optimisation disabled. This has nothing to do with TalkTalk, but more the geographic location where you live, when you select any channel in the range 52 – 140.

What follows is a bit complex, but it needs to be considered to explain why, in some areas of the UK, Wi-Fi can seem very unreliable using most of the channels from 52 to 140.

All hardware operating thischannel range must conform to DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) standards and TPC (Transmit Power Control) & both of these facilities must be enabled. This is because these channels operate in the same frequency range as some radar & weather services which have a higher priority than WiFi. DFS & TPC being enabled will allow detection of such services on the selected channel & an AP is not allowed to broadcast out on this channel if radar is detected.

Further to this, if radar is subsequently detected on the channel currently being used, an AP must stop transmitting immediately & move to a new channel, normally in the range of 36 to 48. If the router moved to another channel within the 52 - 140 range, then this will cause problems for the user as they could lose Wi-Fi connectivity for around 1 minute or longer.

With the 5GHz band, using any DFS channels, there are a couple of caveats with this:-

1. Once the channel is selected, there will be a delay of about 60 seconds before the router will broadcast out the network on this channel.
2. Channels 52 - 140 despite being permitted for use in the UK, not all network adapters in your devices may support this channel range. Please check that all 5G compatible devices work on the selected channel.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Morning,

@KeithFrench - Would you be able to offer any additional advice?

Thanks

Michelle

[mistersharpe]

Chris,

I live in an elevated position so receive signal from many surrounding properties. Ch36 is fine by the router, but on the outskirts of the property, it's flooded with other networks on the same channel. Thus wanting to use 64 or 100, as these are clear in these areas. I ideally do not want my property full up with repeaters to negate the issue. 

Carl.

[Chris-TalkTalk]

I've checked again and optimisation is still disabled. When devices connected on the 5GHz band are close to the router is the connection generally OK? Do you only experience connectivity issues when devices are quite far away from the router?

Chris

[mistersharpe]

Hi Chris,

Without checking it daily, I've not idea when it reverts back to its default 36, but it always does.

I appreciate that where the router is located in the centre of the property ch36 is fine, but on the perimeters the situation is different and not optimal. Seems bonkers this feature isn't user controllable.

[Chris-TalkTalk]

Hi mistersharpe,

I can't see any recent authentications, has it only recently reverted back to 36?

Chris

[mistersharpe]

Hi Chris,

I haven't rebooted the router (knowingly) but the channel has again reverted back to 36

[Chris-TalkTalk]

Rebooting the router will cause it to reaccess the best wifi channel but otherwise it should really stay on the same channel if wifi optimisation is disabled

Chris

[mistersharpe]

Chris,

I switched the 5GHz channel from 36 -> 100 again this morning, and expect it'll revert back to 36 again soon. The exact timing or what triggers it I don't know, but I do know it's not me changing it. Is there anything else other than 'Wifi optimisation', assuming not.

Carl.

[Chris-TalkTalk]

Wifi optimisation is currently switched off, I've checked to confirm it, and you are still experiencing problems?

Chris

[mistersharpe]

Hi Chris,

But if a replacement with have 'optimisation' enabled, then this will not resolve a fault as that is the fault in my case.

Carl.

[Chris-TalkTalk]

Hi Carl,

It's just to rule out a fault with the current router

Chris

[mistersharpe]

Debbie,

Right, so what benefit is having another router for testing if it's going to 'optimise' my channel? 🤔

Carl.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Carl

Yes this would be a Sagemcom WIFI hub. This would also have WIFI optimisation switched on.

[mistersharpe]

Hi Debbie,

I can't remember but you did a few years back. Are TT still using the same Sagemcom routers?

Carl.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @mistersharpe 

WIFI optimisation is still showing as switched off so It's not changing the wireless channels.

When did we last send you a new router for testing?

[mistersharpe]

Hi Debbie,

I rebooted the router. The channel did change from 36 to 100. But I just checked again tonight at the signal seemed off, and it's back on 36 again.

Is there honestly nothing we can do to make these settings stick?

Thanks,
Carl.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @mistersharpe 

Yes, it's currently switched off but if it does go back on in the future, I can't switch it off again.

Please can you only reboot and don't do a factory reset (as this will switch it back on again)

[mistersharpe]

To clarify, you cannot turn this feature off it it activates again?

I haven't tried a reboot, but shall do.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @mistersharpe 

The WIFI optimisation is still showing as switched off (we cannot switch this off again going forward if it activates again)

Have you tried a router reboot?