[Tips] Wifi issues and possible solutions

leeshor

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What to do if you can't get connected to WIFI

There are several things you can do if you can't get connected to your WiFi hotpot or router.

1). Some channels work better than others. 1 and 6 are popular and work well for many people. If you can get connected at all, download WiFi Analyzer This app will give you an idea what channels may be available or over lapping with a nearby router.

2). Restart your router. This sounds simple but has been the solution for many people. Routers frequently accumulate garbage in the system that can be dumped by removing the power cord for at least 30 seconds then plugging it back in. After the router has made a connection, restart your phone. You also should check to see if there is a firmware update for the router. That could make all the difference. In a few cases some people just replaced an really old router and ended up really happy they did.

3). As is the case with some other devices, Android phones (and tablets) don't always do a great job of telling you there is an error when inputting your password or passphrase. If your phone says it is trying to connect for more than 10-15 seconds you may have mistyped the required information. It's also possible it may just say "saved" and do nothing. Tap the connection and tell it to forget your credentials and try again. If your phome at some point says saved but you are obviously not connected, you may have a poor signal from the router or you are too far away, or there is other interference or it can also happen at times if can't authenticate with the router correctly.

4). I have found that the some Android phones don't work well or at all with WEP encryption on some routers, though some do work, so your may want to try using WPA/WPA2 or equivalent. This is better security than WEP anyway. If you still can't connect but see a strong signal try no encryption long enough to determine that it is possible to connect and adjust accordingly.

5). In order to narrow the problem down, if all else is failing, try connecting to a public hotspot or a friend's router.

6) If 1-5 don't help, try a restart. Or turn it completely off and back on.

Other misc possibilities. If your router is set to b/g/n or some combination, try setting to only one, like g only. If in doubt try multiple public hotspots before accusing your phone of having a problem.

There are some things you can do to improve your WiFi. Cordless phones typically operate at 2.4 GHz, so do some Android phones. Keep cordless phones as far away as possible from your WiFi router. Same applies to a microwave oven.

There are repeaters available. The best ones would be the same brand as the router but others work. ASUS has a portable router that can act as a repeater/extender for just about any router, model WL-330N3G. (This mobile wireless router will also work with select 3G dongles).

Additional suggestions welcome.
 
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I can not get mine to auto reconnect after I go out of range of my home WiFi that I do not brodcast my SSID. It will find it but I have to enter my pass word....to get it to connect.
 
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leeshor

leeshor

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I can not get mine to auto reconnect after I go out of range of my home WiFi that I do not brodcast my SSID. It will find it but I have to enter my pass word....to get it to connect.

The first thing I would do is see if turning the SSID broadcast on makes a difference. If not, try inputting fixed IP and DNS information. Does it auto connect to other places you have been? If so you need to take a good look at all your router's other configurations and check for a firmware upgrade in the router..
 

Liquid Fusion

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DNA wifi works great - how do I setup secure wifi file transfer between my PC and the DNA w/o using a 3rd party service like Airdroid? What do you recommend? Thanks.
 
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leeshor

leeshor

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DNA wifi works great - how do I setup secure wifi file transfer between my PC and the DNA w/o using a 3rd party service like Airdroid? What do you recommend? Thanks.

AirDroid, WiFi File Explorer and WiFi File Transfer are all local utilities and do not go out to the cloud. Apps like DropBox and Box do so using AirDroid is secure so long as your router is secured, with something stronger than WEP.
 

offroad2000

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Thanks for the tips! I've had an issue with my home wireless router. I have to disable 4G to get wifi to work. The phone will connect to wifi and get a signal but can't get online. It is set up as WEP though. I will try your solution when I get home and set it to WPA.
 
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leeshor

leeshor

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Thanks for the tips! I've had an issue with my home wireless router. I have to disable 4G to get wifi to work. The phone will connect to wifi and get a signal but can't get online. It is set up as WEP though. I will try your solution when I get home and set it to WPA.

That's one I don't remember hearing before. Have you installed any tethering apps that may be getting in the way. Maybe that's not such a bad thing if you want to make certain you aren't using data when you don't want to but it would be a pain to do it then undo it.

There are some utilities that allow you to specify not to download apps unless on WiFi but this sounds unrelated.
 

offroad2000

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No tethering apps. No other utilities or anything. It's all stock running jellybean. Did it on ICS as well. It's a pain when I want to send a MMS and have to turn on the 4G and then off again. Works fine on the work's wifi but that's open.
 
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