Forum Discussion
T3200 & mobile phones keep dropping
Hi
I have a T3200 modem with 2 DSL ports as input lines that was installed 2 years ago and configured as 5GHz. There are 5 devices that connect to it: 2 Apple Mac laptops, Samsung TV, Apple iPhone & Samsung android phone. All of these are in approx 1,000 sq ft apartment. The devices are typically within 25 feet of the T3200. There are no concrete walls. This setup worked fine until about 2 months ago.
In the past 60 days the mobile phones consistently drop from the WiFi about every 2 to 4 hours. The Samsung TV drops every couple of days. I have called TELUS and spent 2+ hours with them. The first call split the network into 2.4GHz and 5GHz. That did not solve the issue or improve the connection speed. The next call went through most of the same troubleshooting and the recommended fix is to install a WiFi booster at $10 per month.
2 things puzzle me: 1) the distance from the devices to the T3200 router is less than 25 feet. 2) The setup worked fine for 2 years without a WiFi booster. What would cause the need for a WiFi booster?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. How would you work with TELUS to resolve this?
If I was to look at buying a router, any recommendations?
thanks!
6 Replies
TELUS_SupportOfficial Support Team
What FuzzyLogic suggested is definitely a good thing to look in to, as since the hardware hasn't moved, the environment itself is a likely culprit. In an apartment setting, you aren't just managing your own Wi-Fi, you're often competing with neighbouring signals as well. There's a good chance someone nearby has updated/changed their equipment which can definitely add to overlapping signals and congestion.
Also, while 5GHz is faster, it has a shorter 'wavelength' and can be easily deflected. Interference can cause your devices to drop the connection so save battery, etc. You could also try a free app as mentioned, such as Wi-Fi Analyzer which lets you switch your T3200 to a less crowded channel if you see your neighbours all sitting on one together. If none of this works for you, let us know and we can always submit a callback request from our Tech Support team to dig a bit deeper with you.
Thanks for the info. I installed WiFi Analyzer for Android by Abdelrahman. I am using the free version of the app and did not buy a premium version. It looks like my router is on channel 161, and there are others on this channel as well. There is another TELUS router and a few HiddenSSID. The app suggests that channel 161 is 1 star red rating. There are other channels that have 10 star green rating. Are routers permanently connected to one channel?
Is this the information that I should be looking at? What would be suggested next steps?
Any suggestions are appreciated,
- TELUS_Support
You're exactly right, the red rating means that channel's overloaded...and probably why you're seeing the issues. Once the T3200 picks a channel, it usually stays there until the next reboot or major interference event. You can try the following steps:
1. Log in to your T3200M. Open a browser and go to 192.168.1.254 (should be able to use the Admin password on the sticker on the side of your modem).
2. Disable SmartSteering by going to Wireless Setup --> SmartSteering. If it's set to ON, the router controls everything and won't let you manually do anything. Disable it and hit Apply. (note: this will split your Wi-Fi network into two names: ______ -2.4G and ______ - 5G)
3. Go to Wireless Setup --> 5GHz. Change the channel from 'Auto' to the channel you mentioned, 161 in this case. Hit Apply.
4. Check the 2.4GHz band while you're there. Go to the 2.4GHz tab and for that one, only use channels 1, 6, or 11. Any other number can actually lead to even more interference because the channels will overlap.
Let us know if that works!
- FuzzyLogic
Community Power User
Is it possible you have a new neighbour who may have electrical or network equipment that's interfering with your wifi signal?
I have a program on my iPhone (AirPort Utility) that has a Wi-Fi scanner to show SSIDs, their channel and signal strength. Useful if you wish to assign static channels on your router.
Hi FuzzyLogic: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that to see if there is anything. The neighbours have been there longer than the T3200.
Anyone have other suggestions?
- FuzzyLogic
They may have updated there network equipment and that could affect your reception.
