[SOLVED] Wifi issue, wifi on and off :) - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Well, one thing that I really hate with Nexus S is its wifi hardware. The signal reception is weak, weaker than my HTC Desire.
Often, the wifi signal got disconnected suddenly and reconnected again autmatically.
This is sucks, especially if you play online game or streaming.
I don't think there is a way, software wise to fix this because I read that Samsung is using cheap low powered wifi hardware.
It is good to conserve battery, but the experience sucks.
So, what did I do?
I replaced my wifi access point!
Yeah ... that's, a quick and simple solution.
I just added a new wifi access point, Sitecom Wireless N Access Point. Place it in a good position. And whoala! No more wifi disconnect I found it is much better signal strength compared to the SpeedTouch router (B/G mode only).
There you go, certain wifi access point could potentially cause this auto-disconnect.
So happy now, although I must spent 69 euro + some more for long extension power cable (need this to reach that good position so I got decent signal from my bedroom + living room).
Happy happy happy ... fast enough (900+ KBytes/sec), steady and reliable wifi connection! No more disconnect!

I did the same. Installed apple airport extreme and all is well now.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

I will try changing my wifi antenna . I have realized that the signal is a lot better when I connect to routers that has 2 antennas (300 mbps). Mine is just 150mbps and the signal its medium worth laptops in the end of the house. So I think Ill stay like this. Thanks to samsung!!!

Related

Poor WIFI reception on Captivate

HI,
Has anybody noticed that captivate has poor WIFI reception compared to other devices? I have two captivates with the same problem and have seen others have the similar problems.
It is just fine anywhere wifi signal is good. but it becomes horribly bad with farther distance from APs. The tested place is my office desk
where I never had any problem with my laptops and my old phone(Lg-incite) during the last 2-3 years.
Are you all fine with WIFI performance of Captivate?
Thank you
It seems equivalent to my old iphone.
My captivate was getting less wifi bars then my iphone from just 10 feet away from cable modem router. Checked on both original captivate and replacement. Seems like the reception and wifi seems a bit weak
Is it still connecting and just not showing as strong a signal, or not connecting at all?
Also, if you have both phones handy maybe you can do a speed test/comparison between the two. Maybe it's all in how they calculate those signal bars. . .
Bars don't necessarily mean anything.
I'm not having any WiFi problem on my Captivate at all - even in the corner of the house where my laptop and my wife's laptop sometimes have problems - I also pick up signals from neighbor's wifi routers.
mongstradamus said:
My captivate was getting less wifi bars then my iphone from just 10 feet away from cable modem router. Checked on both original captivate and replacement. Seems like the reception and wifi seems a bit weak
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They might calculate that wrong too, seeing how they were really far off on calculating phone reception.
The best thing to do is a speed test on each. Obviously higher speed is better but I am curious what the latency is like.
candymann said:
Is it still connecting and just not showing as strong a signal, or not connecting at all?
Also, if you have both phones handy maybe you can do a speed test/comparison between the two. Maybe it's all in how they calculate those signal bars. . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not complaining about bars. all show weak signals and still can connect to internet, while captivates are disconnected.
it may be normal for smartphones. The only smartphone I am comparing is Lg-incite. Incite may be exceptionally good on wifi reception. In the points I have tested, laptops do not have problem to connect.
thanks,
I've noticed that same problem with my Captivate....I'll connect with "Good" to "Excellent" connection, but data crawls if at all....Full data reset, and still no improvement...

Wifi SLower than should be..

I have a linksys wifi N router at home and my laptop connects at around 144mbps, however my phone only connects at around 72mbps..
Also my laptop always sits on my coffee table which is about 15' from my router (through one wall) and has excellent signal. But my phone usually only has good signal in the same spot. It only usually lights up like two of the wifi indicators.
Does everyone else have this issue? Are the wifi chips just not strong in the phone or what?
My laptop is currently saying that it is recieving at 54mbps, my mesmerize is showing the same speed. Although my laptop is stating that I have excellent strength, and my phone is showing fair strength. I think the wifi is only so-so in this phone, I rooted last night and just got wifi tethering going. With the phone broadcasting a hostspot next to the laptop it only gave a fair signal strength. I'm not sure if the strength of a wifi hotspot has anything to do with the recieving end of the signal though.
elijahblake said:
I have a linksys wifi N router at home and my laptop connects at around 150mbps, however my phone only connects at around 75mbps..
Also my laptop always sits on my coffee table which is about 15' from my router (through one wall) and has excellent signal. But my phone usually only has good signal in the same spot. It only usually lights up like two of the wifi indicators.
Does everyone else have this issue? Are the wifi chips just not strong in the phone or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had this issue with both my droid and my blackberry (when I used my blackberry). I think that the wifi capabilities in phones are not as good as they are in computers.
but the reason I'm asking this is this phone is supposed to have wifi N radio in it.. Older phones only had G antennas which are only capable of 54mbps.. wifi N is theoretically capable of up to 300mbps, I've never seen anything actually connect at that speed, but it would seem that my phone which is brand new should atleast connect at the same speed as a 2 year old wifi N laptop???
imyp said:
My laptop is currently saying that it is recieving at 54mbps, my mesmerize is showing the same speed. Although my laptop is stating that I have excellent strength, and my phone is showing fair strength. I think the wifi is only so-so in this phone, I rooted last night and just got wifi tethering going. With the phone broadcasting a hostspot next to the laptop it only gave a fair signal strength. I'm not sure if the strength of a wifi hotspot has anything to do with the recieving end of the signal though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your router is only G that's the max speed you will get?
Wifi is a pain in general to troubleshoot, as there could be many, many reasons why it is slow or not working at all.
General questions to be asked are:
Do you have security enabled wifi?
What kind of encryption are you using?
How many devices are connected to the network? (Wired or wireless)
Is the router set to send a wireless N signal? (most routers have that optioned, but not always running as most devices are not wireless N compatible)
I've had my phone connected at several wifi's (I travel a lot for work and am in hotels all the time) and my connection speed varies. At home I have great connection and speed test to 5megs a second download (wireless N--it connects) currently at a hotel in Colorado, 1480kbps download (wireless G)
I still stick by my thoughts as far as the wifi on the phones will never be as good as the wifi in a computer, be it a laptop or a desktop. Phones just don't have the battery power to hold a super strong/fast wifi signal.
I have wifi speed problems also but my first gen ipod touch does not seem to have issues
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
skitzo_inc said:
Wifi is a pain in general to troubleshoot, as there could be many, many reasons why it is slow or not working at all.
General questions to be asked are:
Do you have security enabled wifi?
What kind of encryption are you using?
How many devices are connected to the network? (Wired or wireless)
Is the router set to send a wireless N signal? (most routers have that optioned, but not always running as most devices are not wireless N compatible)
I've had my phone connected at several wifi's (I travel a lot for work and am in hotels all the time) and my connection speed varies. At home I have great connection and speed test to 5megs a second download (wireless N--it connects) currently at a hotel in Colorado, 1480kbps download (wireless G)
I still stick by my thoughts as far as the wifi on the phones will never be as good as the wifi in a computer, be it a laptop or a desktop. Phones just don't have the battery power to hold a super strong/fast wifi signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, the router is set to wifi N or actually it's set to all!!! I have security enabled..
There's only two devices running wifi (laptop/cell phone)
I get fast download speeds like 5000kbps down/2500kbps up when using the speedtest.net app..
But when I go to wifi settings and click on my router once it's connected whether I have Good (usually) or excellent it's only connected to my router at 72Mbps.. I have a static IP set for it..
I guess mobile phone wifi chips just aren't up to par with laptop chips
msird said:
I have wifi speed problems also but my first gen ipod touch does not seem to have issues
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My little brothers touch has the same issues with speed.
elijahblake said:
yes, the router is set to wifi N or actually it's set to all!!! I have security enabled..
There's only two devices running wifi (laptop/cell phone)
I get fast download speeds like 5000kbps down/2500kbps up when using the speedtest.net app..
But when I go to wifi settings and click on my router once it's connected but whether I have Good (usually) or excellent it's only connected to my router at 72Mbps.. I have a static IP set for it..
I guess mobile phone wifi chips just aren't up to par with laptop chips
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are my sentiments exactly. Even with it not being as fast, it's plenty fast for everything I need it to do, but 3g is fast enough for me generally. I only connect to wireless when I'm not in good cell service.

[Q] Nexus S extremely poor wifi

Hello there,
i know that this topic has been already debated several times but I couldn't find any solution to it.
I'm running MIUI 1.8.19, android version 2.3.5, kernel version 2.6.35.7-g3cc95e3, baseband I9023XXKB3.
Wifi signal is extremely weak, few meters away from any router and the connection becomes extremely unstable making the wifi experience a total nightmare.
I've been previously tried NSCollab and also different baseband configuration files but nothing seems to get things better.
For what is worth (even though the wifi is bad anywhere and with any router) my router is a Linksys WRT150N running on DD-WRT.
The Nexus S wifi thing seems to be a little bit controversial. Some users seem having no problem with it, some other experience the same problems i do.
Question #1: is that a hardware, software or both kind of problem?
question #2 : is there any workaround that would allow me at least to comfortably browse the internet from my bedroom (5-6 mts away from my router) without getting disconnected every other 30 sec?
Thank you in advance,
D.
You kept a phone that can't hold a wifi connection over a distance of 5m? I'd have returned it on day 1.
It's normal that the distance of WIFI on smartphones is less than say a laptop or pc, but 5m is definitly not normal.
Verify w/ other wifi networks, same problem = return it. If not, bad luck, might be the combination of your phone + the router not working properly.
You can try changing radios to see of that improves your situation, for some it did.
Yes, it is normal having a weaker wi-fi but my blackberry has no problem at all. it is the nexus and it seems to be quite a widespread problem around the globe.
Well i was abroad on business and couldnt return it. Just looking for clues....
I know that netarchy's kernel uses updated wifi drivers, you can try flashing that and see if it does anything.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Hi there,
i tried several kernels: netarchy, matrix and also installed MIUI and also tried the MIUI Brainmaster ROM. Same result: in my bedroom the wifi signal score a miserable -85/90 db. Is there any kernel out there optimized for wifi? I mean, it seems that the wifi weakness on the nexus S is a common problem.
Thank you in advance.
It sounds as though you have a hardware problem or a router problem. I have to go to a room in the other side of my house to get -90 db and even then it doesn't disconnect. I have to get about 200 feet away before it disconnects.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Also it might have something to do with interference on whatever channel you are connecting on but I don't really know enough about wireless networking to help you troubleshoot that.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
What i'm wondering is wheter Samsung uses different wifi chipset on the same phone cause i'm not the only one complaining about it. just google "nexus s weak wifi" and you'll see hundreds of people with the same problem.
still wondering if there's a software solution to it.
caravaggio971 said:
What i'm wondering is wheter Samsung uses different wifi chipset on the same phone cause i'm not the only one complaining about it. just google "nexus s weak wifi" and you'll see hundreds of people with the same problem.
still wondering if there's a software solution to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has been documented that the Nexus S uses an under powered wifi chip. The chip uses less power but with that comes a weaker signal.
mine seems to be weaker than average...
Yours does seem weaker than normal, but no nexus s has decent wifi range.
What I have done is purchase 2 old linksys wrt54gl routers, have them both loaded up with DD-WRT and then link them (bridged mode or WDS if you prefer) and situate the routers in either end of my house. I have a decent sized 3 bed detached house, with a 70ft garden, I can now get a reliable wifi connection near the end of my garden on my nexus, where as previously I couldnt get to the back door
Might be an old thread, but I just traded my trusty HD2 for a Nexus S and god I hate the WIFI reception on this thing.
I am on stock 2.3.4 Rooted with KD1 radio and 2.6.35.14(Pete's) kernel. Tried just about anything out there, and nothing worked out.
Being a Pure Google experience phone, I was expecting a lot more happening for this phone, but it seems that my 2009 released HD2 was way better for all it had to offer.
Subscribing to this thread!
WIFI is fine for me, same as with HTC Desire, and stronger than iPhone 3G...
Its terrible on my Sprint Nexus.
Where I have an Ipod touch and a LG Optimus, they get an 'excellent' connection anywhere in the house. The Nexus drops the connection all the time, shows a 'poor' 5Mbps connection.
Will swapping the phone do any good?
OK.
I bought my Nexus S yesterday and I was soooo disappointed because of its poor wifi reception... But...
I am a network Administrator and a few minutes ago i just couldn't beleive that about 10 meters away from our Cisco Antennas i had about 89db signal so i started playing... and guess what i now have 55dbs at the same spot! What i found out is that Nexus S doesn't work well with High Frequencies so I disabled channels 8-13 and my AP had to work on the low channels and BAM! everything works fine now (My phone is in stock FW)
I hope I helped
Gorbi_gr said:
OK.
I bought my Nexus S yesterday and I was soooo disappointed because of its poor wifi reception... But...
I am a network Administrator and a few minutes ago i just couldn't beleive that about 10 meters away from our Cisco Antennas i had about 89db signal so i started playing... and guess what i now have 55dbs at the same spot! What i found out is that Nexus S doesn't work well with High Frequencies so I disabled channels 8-13 and my AP had to work on the low channels and BAM! everything works fine now (My phone is in stock FW)
I hope I helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome tip! Thank you so much
I found this channel number which it uses to make no difference to the wifi performance.
I tried channels 1,6,11, no difference.
The phone just has poor wifi.
As a note, usually I don't use the low channel '1', as this gets interference from microwaves more than the upper channels.
just bought a Nexus and and experiencing heavy wifi issues.
I tried changing AP channel but doesn't fix.
Testing signal strenght with a LG Optimus one for comparison:
1- LG: -72db. stable
2- Nexus S: -85db web pages loading fails quite often.
Tomorrow my NS will return to the store. Bye Bye

Samsung Infuse weak wifi signal?

Anyone else have an issue with a weak wifi signal? i have to be in the same room for it to connect. I can be anywhere in the house with my laptop and tabet.
Same for mine. My Infuse is about a week old to me and is unrooted and stock. The WiFi is very week and won't connect 30 feet away from the router. All of my other phones show weakness, but they will connect.
What kind of router do u have?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
I have issues with some routers but not others...my cheap belkin works better than the linksys someone gave me
Have you downloaded wifi analyzer?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I have a linksys
mine does it too. i could be right next to my iPhone that is connected to the same thing and it'll have full coverage but the infuse has nothing.
I got the phone last week and notice the same thing. I also noticed it has the iPhone deathgrip issue on wifi. I can cover the back up with my hand and watch it drop a bar on wifi. Give it some breathing room and bar comes back. My biggest gripe is it sometimes doesn't want to get back on wifi if you get out of range.
Ni WiFi issue here, I have Buffalo and DLink routers, I get strong and consistent signal with both. I have my router in 2.4Ghz 802.11N (no GN or BGN)
Ugh thank gawd I haven't noticed those issues yet, other then last week it wouldn't connect at all was just stuck on obtaining connection so I just rebooted the phone and it connected fine, from outside in the middle of the street to test it.
The wifi on the Atrix though is a beast because when I went to Chumash Casino and Resort we had to rely on wifi (it's in the hills and no network at all) and the Atrix connected 8/10 tries vs my Infuse 3/10 to the casino sh*tty free wifi... And the Atrix picked up other Wifi spots (adhoc) etc... sigh only thing that blows about the Infuse!
Yup my infuse hates wifi, wish it wasn't true but it is
.......infuse.....Infused....infusion.........
Another user posted this link. I think it could possibly explain some of the issues I've been having. I have issues at work especially where we have multiple access points. If I forget the network and reconnect it links right up. The good news is I don't really see a reduction or improvement in browsing with a dot or full bar. At least not the feel, I haven't measured with a tool.
http://www.net.princeton.edu/android/android-11236-partial-workaround.html
Bugs in the software and firmware, what could go wrong?
i noticed a big drop in wi-fi strength after changing my rom from stock to infused 2.1

Unusable wifi

I'm loving my z3 but for the life of me I cannot get a tidy wifi connection.it doesn't drop the actually connection but just freezes or slows down to an unusable amount.it's not my wifi as I have tested my note 3 on the same connection and it's the same on other networks.does anyone else have this problem or a solution
simon.n.jonez said:
I'm loving my z3 but for the life of me I cannot get a tidy wifi connection.it doesn't drop the actually connection but just freezes or slows down to an unusable amount.it's not my wifi as I have tested my note 3 on the same connection and it's the same on other networks.does anyone else have this problem or a solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am struggling with Wifi speeds on mine. I am having to switch to 4g regularly.
I am not too worried yet as I have 8gb data, but eventually i'll be worried as it runs out lol/
The speed tests show a good speed and ping, but it disconnects or slows down/freezes a lot.
I'm waiting on updates.
Thanks for the reply.I get data fine over 4G too.the chappy wifi is annoying as I have wifi everywhere I go...but no 4G signal at home
simon.n.jonez said:
... I cannot get a tidy wifi connection.it doesn't drop the actually connection but just freezes or slows down to an unusable amount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Confirmed, same experienced here.
Didn't the z1 have this problem
That may depend on the router or its settings. Had the same "freeze" issue when connected to my AVM 7490 router set to use channel 100 for 5GHz. Ever since I changed it to channel 48 no more such problems so far.
My bluetooth is similarly awful, in both range and functionality.
WiFi constantly drops and freezes, always has a weak connection compared to my other devices.
Sony have always cheaped out on wireless chips for any of its hardware products, especially things like playstation products (PS4 wifi is the worst I've ever seen), but I didn't expect it for a £500 smartphone!
Ditto. Great 4G on a 10GB cap.
But shocking wifi. It won't connect to I my router half the time, and the other half drops the connection after 10 minutes.
Out of various devices it's the only one, and I've had more devices on.
I'll change the chanel, clear dhcp allocations and usual stuff and see if there is any difference
Sent from my D6603 using XDA Free mobile app
Mine seems to have sorted itself out.had excellent wifi at home and up the parents.
Yeah for all their positives sony do pass on some crud wifi chips. Ps4 good example.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
I seem to of narrowed my problems down to the router at work so Yaay lol.
As for Ps4, I think they're getting some unfair stick. I have mine connected to crappy BT home hub and the wifi connection is excellent.
mega_bite said:
But shocking wifi. It won't connect to I my router half the time, and the other half drops the connection after 10 minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swapped it for another router (I got a random duplicate from my isp, glad I kept it) and the problems gone. Mostly. still drops from time to time. but usable
Jonathan-H said:
I seem to of narrowed my problems down to the router at work so Yaay lol.
As for Ps4, I think they're getting some unfair stick. I have mine connected to crappy BT home hub and the wifi connection is excellent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to be random. My mate has a launch day model like me, and his WiFi is excellent to his 6 year old Sky wireless G router.
I have the newest homehub, one of the best rated routers on the market right now, and the connection from my PS4 to it is incredibly unstable. Every online game lags horrendously, especially BF4. Plus on my 80mb connection it allows for 3MB/s downloads at most. With an wired connection, no lag at all, and the download speed hits max every time.
The same thing seems to apply to the Z3. So its a sony thing. My first Z3 the wifi and BT were unusable. 3rd Z3, and wifi is the best I've ever used on a mobile device, and I havent even connected to my AC network yet to try. Bluetooth I've yet to try though.
istrikerx said:
I have the newest homehub, one of the best rated routers on the market right now, and the connection from my PS4 to it is incredibly unstable. Every online game lags horrendously, especially BF4. Plus on my 80mb connection it allows for 3MB/s downloads at most. With an wired connection, no lag at all, and the download speed hits max every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AVM Fritz!Box here, newest model, got it when I moved because I'm on a business contract, even though I didn't want it. Has a multiuser NAS, SmartHome and whatnot, and one app for everything.
But when on WiFi with my MacBook Pro, ping times sometimes go up to over 250 ms, then back down to the usual 12. I have no idea why, it doesn't happen when connected to it via Ethernet. Bandwidth itself never seemed to be an issue though, and the Z3 performs great with it though.
TL;DR: Trying a different router can make a huge difference.
I was having the same wifi issues...my network was saved, I kept re typing my password thinking maybe I entered it in incorrectly but kept getting the "Authentication Failed" message. I was able to get the phone connected to my home wifi buy simply hitting the "Forget" option...then it automatically read the IP address and accessed the network...smh hopefully this helps for Everybody else....or some at least

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