[Q] Won't reconnect manual network without SSID broadcast? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

So the S3 has known WiFi issues, but mine seems to have none of the issues I've read about thus far. It does have one irritating thing that has been driving me crazy for the longest time. If I ever move outside of the range of my network, reboot, or etc such that the WiFi has to be reestablished, it will decide that my network is "out of range" even though the signal is well within an acceptable minimum (it's a tad bit weak, but, once established it holds extremely steady pretty much no matter what I'm doing.) If I remove and re-add the network settings it works perfectly, again with a stable signal and perfect speeds until the next time I move out of range or reboot.
For now I've reenabled SSID broadcast, but I really liked the idea of having it off as it's a ridiculously simple yet strikingly effective security mechanism (I like the "security through obscurity" methods when I can -- especially since I'm having to use the old WEP encryption protocol to support some older devices, though I'm just about ready just to give up on them at this point. Even the best hacker in the world couldn't get into my network if (s)he never actually made any attempt to do so in the first place.) With SSID enabled, it has no troubles picking up my network every time, it just won't automatically pick it up without it.
Is this just an issue with the software itself or something? Anything that can be fixed from the user side, or is it something that can only be fixed by an update to the OS or related software itself? (But then with 4.1 coming soon supposedly I'm kind of hoping that if it is an issue with the software that would fix it. Still, that's a while away at least and this is assuming their plans aren't messed up with this whole lawsuit business causing them so many problems right now.)

If you have SSID broadcast disabled, how do you expect your phone to recognize the network? I can see how it would work if you enable SSID, connect to your network then disable it again, but it's not going magically reconnect with SSID disabled, its not logical seeing your SSID is what makes it possible for your phone to find your network.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Wep sucks ofcourse but how about just setting up a mac addy auth to give another layer of security and enable ur ssid
Sent from my SCH-I535

I do use MAC address filtering if that's what you mean. While it might stop a script kiddie, I don't have a huge amount of confidence in it. MAC address spoofing is so pitifully easy than with computer equipment at least you usually are even presented with a configuration option that lets you specifically change the MAC address to anything you want. I'm definitely sticking with it because, well, there's absolutely no reason not to, but I actually have less confidence in MAC address filtering to stop anyone than disabled SSID broadcasting because anyone actually actively trying to break in should pretty much immediately bypass that particular mechanism right off.
Shibby87 said:
If you have SSID broadcast disabled, how do you expect your phone to recognize the network? I can see how it would work if you enable SSID, connect to your network then disable it again, but it's not going magically reconnect with SSID disabled, its not logical seeing your SSID is what makes it possible for your phone to find your network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ALL other devices are smart enough to search for a manually configured network if they actually know the SSID to search for. My Roku, my Android 2.2 "Internet Tablet" (basically a PDA) by Archos, my Nintendo DS (this is the main thing holding me back at WEP, and as ancient and pitiful as its networking is, even IT can connect on its own without making me manually recreate the settings every time!) and my EeePC running Windows XP without any software to manage the WiFi settings except the built-in Windows thing.

Nazo said:
So the S3 has known WiFi issues, but mine seems to have none of the issues I've read about thus far. It does have one irritating thing that has been driving me crazy for the longest time. If I ever move outside of the range of my network, reboot, or etc such that the WiFi has to be reestablished, it will decide that my network is "out of range" even though the signal is well within an acceptable minimum (it's a tad bit weak, but, once established it holds extremely steady pretty much no matter what I'm doing.) If I remove and re-add the network settings it works perfectly, again with a stable signal and perfect speeds until the next time I move out of range or reboot.
For now I've reenabled SSID broadcast, but I really liked the idea of having it off as it's a ridiculously simple yet strikingly effective security mechanism (I like the "security through obscurity" methods when I can -- especially since I'm having to use the old WEP encryption protocol to support some older devices, though I'm just about ready just to give up on them at this point. Even the best hacker in the world couldn't get into my network if (s)he never actually made any attempt to do so in the first place.) With SSID enabled, it has no troubles picking up my network every time, it just won't automatically pick it up without it.
Is this just an issue with the software itself or something? Anything that can be fixed from the user side, or is it something that can only be fixed by an update to the OS or related software itself? (But then with 4.1 coming soon supposedly I'm kind of hoping that if it is an issue with the software that would fix it. Still, that's a while away at least and this is assuming their plans aren't messed up with this whole lawsuit business causing them so many problems right now.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hidden ssid enabler will solve this problem. it works great for me. follow the directions in comments of play store though.

You know, I do believe that did actually solve the problem. I guess more testing is needed, but in my initial test it seems to have worked just fine with the SSID broadcast set to hidden again (I even rebooted the router and phone both just to be sure the settings fully took.)
It still strikes me as being a bit dumb that my ancient Nintendo DS that can't even handle WPA can handle a non-broadcast SSID and my previous Android PDA could as well, yet this Android phone couldn't out of the box...

Related

Att Fuse Problem

Hello Everyone,
I just received a ATT fuse and for the life of me I cannot seem to get the WIFI to work. I've had the tilt and the 8125 previously and I tried duplicating settings to no avail.
Are there known issues with the WIFI on this phone?
I can connect to my WEP enabled wireless router, but opera and IE fails to connect and just keeps giving me errors. This is what I have read and what I have tried:
Setting to "work" instead of "Internet"
I've tried the cab files posted in another thread to disable ATT proxy
I'm a little lost in what to check. I did follow everything I've read here that came up in "WIFI" search. I have not unlocked the phone nor flash a rom.
Could someone lend a hand?
Sign up for the att media program...its on the attwireless site
This is a bit drastic, but an easy potential fix is to flash another ROM (after flashing Hard-SPL of course). AT&T often adds a bunch of unnecessary crap to their ROMs, which may interfere with normal functions. You could always flash the AT&T ROM back if you'd like.
Hi Animexi80,
I already have a data plan. The problem isn't with Media net, it is with the phone's built in WIFI.
Trancecoder,
Really, that drastic of a step.. Do you know of a rom that fixed a WIFI problem?
Thanks
TweedyPepper said:
Do you know of a rom that fixed a WIFI problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I never even gave the AT&T ROM a chance, so I was unaware of Wi-Fi issues. Pretty much any ROM should work. If you flash a Fuze-specific ROM, you may want to run the CAB that disables the hidden AT&T proxy. If you flash a generic Touch Pro ROM, you'll likely need to run a CAB that fixes the keyboard layout.
Ok, I suppose I will give it a go.
If I may ask, would you tell me which rom and radio you're running. It would help rule things out it it doesn't correct the problem.
thanks
you may want to run the CAB that disables the hidden AT&T proxy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the "hidden AT&T proxy?"
I just got an AT&T Fuze and after enableing wifi using the wireless manager, had no trouble connecting to home wireless networks with various security configurations (WEP, WPA, hidden SSID, etc.). Of course if the access point has the MAC filter enabled, the Fuze MAC address must be added to the allowed list.
TweedyPepper said:
If I may ask, would you tell me which rom and radio you're running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running an older PROven ROM, version 1.03. I'll be upgrading soon, probably to NATF's ROM. My radio ROM is 1.08.25.20, but (1) the radio ROM doesn't control Wi-Fi, so it's moot, and (2) it has not had very good battery life, so I'll downgrade back to 1.02.25.28 tonight.
rlsmith999 said:
What is the "hidden AT&T proxy?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a proxy setting, separate from the normal one under Connections, that is hidden. It's used to make things such as Cingular, er, Cellular Video work.
rlsmith999 said:
I just got an AT&T Fuze and after enableing wifi using the wireless manager, had no trouble connecting to home wireless networks with various security configurations (WEP, WPA, hidden SSID, etc.). Of course if the access point has the MAC filter enabled, the Fuze MAC address must be added to the allowed list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a bit off-topic, but FYI, anything below WPA/WPA2 cannot be considered secure. WEP can be cracked in minutes, hidden SSIDs don't make APs invisible, and MAC filtering is useless (except with WPA/WPA2) as anyone sniffing traffic can see client MAC addresses in the clear.
I have found that sometimes when I have both a "data connection" and a "wi-fi" connection that they phone seems to not lock on the wi-fi but tries to use a weak data connection so try turning off the data connection and see if that fixes the problem. Also give a soft reset a try as well.
Surprised by how few ppl are having wi-fi issues. I've tried about 6 ROMs now and have the same problem with everyone (guessing this proves its more of a hardware vs software issue)
I can locate and connect to a wi-fi network but no data transfers. I have to continually disconnect/turn off/reconnect over and over and finally I will get a connection..but if unit goes into sleep for a few minutes...I have to repeat.
Very annoying...no one else is having wi-fi issues?
Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't reported back sooner. I wound up loading a different rom on the phone and away went the problem.
jank0023, I have no idea. I would flash the phone back to stock and return it for another if all else fails. In all my searching, here and elsewhere, there ahve been a handful of wifi problems I came across. It doesn't seem like that common of a problem afaik.
jank0023 said:
Surprised by how few ppl are having wi-fi issues. I've tried about 6 ROMs now and have the same problem with everyone (guessing this proves its more of a hardware vs software issue)
I can locate and connect to a wi-fi network but no data transfers. I have to continually disconnect/turn off/reconnect over and over and finally I will get a connection..but if unit goes into sleep for a few minutes...I have to repeat.
Very annoying...no one else is having wi-fi issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its your router try another channel make sure its on a supported signal (a,b, g)... lastly ensure your router is excepting all devices. I know these are basic checklist items but sometimes these can get us. I had a laptop that would only work on channel 6 ;-).
gravesy56 said:
If its your router try another channel make sure its on a supported signal (a,b, g)... lastly ensure your router is excepting all devices. I know these are basic checklist items but sometimes these can get us. I had a laptop that would only work on channel 6 ;-).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys for the suggestions...I don't think its related to my network setup as I have about 4 other devices able to obtain signals with no problems using DHCP.
Issues don't seem to be as severe on some of the most recent ROMs I've used but still not perfect.

[Q] Sites Accessible via Wifi, Not Cellular (Intermittent)

Hi All, I have a question I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with.
I have a Nexus S i9020A running CM 7.0.2 on AT&T. I've noticed something strange lately and can't quite pinpoint the problem.
I'm running a server at my house with a no-ip address to access my tv show downloads. I'm able to access this from the browser (any browser) while connected to wireless (in my network, or out) but only intermittently while on cellular data. When it isn't working it simply keeps trying to connect until it times out. I haven't yet recognized a pattern of when it works vs when it doesn't.
I thought for a bit it might be a DNS issue, but even with the straight IP address it won't load. Funny thing is, I'm still able to SSH into my router using ConnectBot, so I know the address is correct and the phone can see it. Other apps like RDP won't work either while I'm having this issue.
It's not the end of the world, but it sure is annoying. I'd like for it to work whenever I need it. Any ideas?! I'm stumped.
Thanks everybody!
Tim
I know nothing about networking, just so you know. It sounds like you know much more. I will offer a guess. With some other phones than the ns, sprint has multimedia proxies set for when you are on their network. Streaming music works on wifi but not cell. Use the msl to get into settings, ##data# is the code for sprint phones, and I forget what they are called but there's two proxy addresses and ports that need to be zeroed out then reboot in order to get streaming to work. This is probably not a solution for you but I thought I'd offer something since nobody else has chimed in yet for suggestions.
RS something or another. The other setting is always right next to the first one and generally at the bottom of the list of settings. It could be in advanced or multimedia. Different places for different phones. It would be wise to write down the default addresses and ports before changing them in case it doesn't work or breaks something. It usually doesn't though.
Hey herb, thanks for the response. I see what you're saying, but I don't think it applies here. I know I made it sound like I was streaming or downloading music through the phone...my mistake. What I actually meant was that I'm accessing a web site running from my house to control my home machine downloading music. It's nothing complicated, I'm just sure I'm explaining it terribly.
But, essentially it's just a regular old web page. It's just very strange that it would work wireless and not over cellular. They do run on funky ports, so that they're blocking or redirecting some stuff is very possible. Annoying...

Connecting your Xoom to a wireless network with a hidden ssid?

Hi Guys,
I have searched, but did not find a working solution on how to connect the Xoom to a wireless network, which does not broadcast its ssid. My friend has an Acer Iconia and he can connect to hidden networks, so Android 3.0 must be able to.
Has anybody been able to get this to work on their Xoom?
Cheers,
Deputy
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
You can type the name of the ssid in if you know it. And if you're in range, you'll connect.
Hi, yeah, that works on my phone (CM7) but not on the Xoom... It is disabled for an okish reason, but I was hoping someone would know how to enable it anyway.
The Android framework doesn't properly support hidden SSIDs, unfortunately.
There's a WifiManager setting for network entries, but it doesn't actually do anything.
IMO there's no good reason to use a hidden SSID. It really doesn't provide any additional security (A determined hacker can find your network anyway)
With the incompatibilities it causes with many devices, why do it?
Not sure where some people are having issues adding hidden SSIDs, I had no problem adding my network to the Xoom right out of the box a couple weeks ago. The wifi setup function under wireless settings actually prompts for your SSID when manually adding one. Perhaps I was lucky in getting a less-problematic Xoom, but it works just fine for me. The 3.1 update was pushed out to it automatically last Saturday and I still connect no problem.
Wifi is pretty quick, though it sucks to hear the info about it not utilizing the full potential of 802.11n.
Don't believe the hype that your system is not any more secure through SSID cloaking, doing so makes it is less of a target, unless it's the only AP around and someone knowledgeable enough is looking to get in. Don't use it as your only layer of security, but use it in conjunction with the strongest encryption your systems support.
I agree with both of you, there is no reason to use it, but my employer seems to have a different opinion, so I can't do much with it over there.
Thanks for your replies.
Have 3 Hidden-SSID networks configured in my Xoom; I bet your problem lies elsewhere (special chars, maybe? Misspelled SSID?)
kcrudup said:
Have 3 Hidden-SSID networks configured in my Xoom; I bet your problem lies elsewhere (special chars, maybe? Misspelled SSID?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried it many times. I am sure the spelling is ok. Mine uses no authentication. Is it the same for your networks?
Would be very interesting to find the difference. (but, then again, I can't change the network properties at my company)
deputynl said:
Mine uses no authentication
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WPA2-PSK for all of mine.
(But you've gotta wonder- what's the effin' point of having a hidden SSID for "security" but Open Authentication?!)
kcrudup said:
WPA2-PSK for all of mine.
(But you've gotta wonder- what's the effin' point of having a hidden SSID for "security" but Open Authentication?!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know! I think it is funny, but still I can't connect ;-)
kcrudup said:
Have 3 Hidden-SSID networks configured in my Xoom; I bet your problem lies elsewhere (special chars, maybe? Misspelled SSID?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought a second Xoom for my wife and ran into this same problem with hers. Mine connects to the network fine whether its broadcasting or not, I normally have it turned off. Hers will only connect when said broadcast is turned on.
it makes me think it has to be a setting somewhere that's off on hers, just have to find it.

Wi-fi issue (and how to solve it!)

Received today (finally! :silly my XT1650-03 Dual SIM in white/gold flavour and... only few seconds after turning it on... the first issue!
And not a minor one, a bad issue... weird that nobody have reported it before!
Turned on, boot, chose language, selected a wifi and... error during verifying connection: no Internet!
Obviously, my wifi had a good Internet connection up & running...
Tried again. Nope. Tried my old phone in hot spot mode (ever worked fine with every piece of hardware...), connected... same error!
Major problem was that on this phone the verifying step can't be bypassed (ignore is gray out...), so I was on a no way loop.
After A LOT of tries, at last it decided to bypass and go after BUT all my wifi connection still were marked as "Connection without internet" and no navigation available.
I've tested three known good wireless connections, all open, all same result.
Tried to configure them as static IP, inserted good data (it's my work, I KNOW what to insert...), same result.
The phone was connected, was pingable, has good IP, Gateway, DNS but... No internet.
My old phone and my pc, in wifi on the same network, was laughing at new arrived while surfing the Web. ..
After some Google searching (and a LOT of stupid "solutions"...) I found the good one... :fingers-crossed:
It's needed to enable Developer options and, inside, enable an option called "Use old/Lollipop DHCP client".
After that we *have to* delete the memorized wifi connections and recreate them. After that they work fine!
Weird thing is that, when I set manually the connection parameters, there shouldn't be anymore a DHCP protocol to be used...!!!
BUT probably, since it seems to need connections to be deleted before begin to work fine on them, even with manual (correct!) parameters it continues to mark them as "No internet" for some strange reason...
I think this is an issue related to Marshmallow more than Moto Z itself, BUT anyway it is a bad bug and I can't understand @google what they have "invented" this time to have such an absurd behaviour on a simple (and old) protocol as DHCP!
Obviously, connection parameters before and after the setting were exactly the same (same IP, same gateway, same DNSs), BUT with old DHCP enabled they are now of Moto Z taste...
Nobody had faced this issue before?
I didn't have this, probably just you. Haven't heard of anyone else either, so i can assume it might be your Router/WiFi AP that is old/outdated and uses redundant/old protocols (try updating the Routers Firmware, see if that helps). If that isn't the case, then i don't know (maybe someone else also has/had this problem, don't ask me).
yanniclord said:
I didn't have this, probably just you. Haven't heard of anyone else either, so i can assume it might be your Router/WiFi AP that is old/outdated and uses redundant/old protocols (try updating the Routers Firmware, see if that helps). If that isn't the case, then i don't know (maybe someone else also has/had this problem, don't ask me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to repeat myself... It's my work... I know what I'm talking about...
Up to date, four tested, three not working vs. one working with new protocol enabled. All working with old one.
DHCP is a old, simple & efficient protocol, there is no need to mess up it...!
WiFi compatibility *must* be best as possible (think about public hotspots, airport, etc... I Travel a lot and I need it!) and not limited in any way by absurd changes in well working protocols...!
When I'll be @hong Kong airport and my Moto Z eventually refused to connected WiFi, what should I do? Ask them to "upgrade router firmware"?
If you Google "marshmallow dhcp client issues" it's full of thread of people having this issue...
What they have invented is still a mistery instead...
I don't have this problem too.
I have the phone from august. It is an UK model, single sim. I have done factory reset more than 5 times and never had that problem. It is your phone with this problem.
SteveHG said:
I don't have this problem too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll have...
Great post. I have that problem to with wifi, cannot establish connection. Your guidance is perfect solution.
I guess is more to Marshmallow problem (software) rather than hardware issue.
izamd said:
Great post. I have that problem to with wifi, cannot establish connection. Your guidance is perfect solution.
I guess is more to Marshmallow problem (software) rather than hardware issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, BUT... I've found MM ROMs on other devices where this doesn't happen...
Be careful that on Nougat this option is no more available...

[Q] Wi-Fi takes a while to connect to servers, but is normal everywhere else (w/video

Anyone interested in a challenge?
This is more of a question to those people who have knowledge on Wi-Fi router configurations, but I am really hoping maybe somebody has experienced this and found a solution.
Probably the reason why I haven't found a "solution" (in quotes since my Wi-Fi is not really broken) is because I don't know how to word this correctly so that a Google search can be successful so I'll try to explain myself as best as I can.
Here is my problem:
My home's Wi-Fi seems to be having this issue where it takes a while to connect to servers (or at least, that's what I think is going on)
Once it establishes a connection to a server, it seems to run fine there on out.
For example:
Please check this video out: Video
This is a game called "Shadowgun Deadzone", a multi-player game. When I'm on Wi-Fi, notice how it gets stuck on "Authentication in progress" for more than a minute?
Later on in the video, I close it, turn off my Wi-Fi and re-open the game and it only takes SECONDS to get to the same screen with my carrier's network.
No, my internet is not slow. Web-page browsing and watching videos is as expected from a 10 mbps internet speed and also playing the game mentioned runs excellent once I get it to connect, only on things like this game is where it takes a while to establish an "initial" connection to the servers
What do I mean with "things like this"? Well, WhatsApp is something that to my knowledge also connects to a server to send images and media, right?
Check this second video out: Second Video
This example is a little bit less clear, but it also seems that connecting to the "server" takes twice as long than if I do it with my carrier's network.
So here's what I know:
1. It's not device specific. This happens with any cellphone using things like what I mentioned above.
2. Not the device's fault either since I play this exact game on my aunt's house and it connects fast as expected
3. Router firewall is deactivated.
4. I've also got a Nintendo 3DS, doesn't take as long to connect to Nintendo Network and play online
5. I've tried labeling my cellphone as "game console" (same as my 3DS) on the router settings, but it doesn't help, it changes nothing
6. This "problem" doesn't exist on web browsing, downloading stuff, Youtube, and a few minor things
I know the fastest solution probably is to get a new router, which I will do in due time, but I'm really hoping to skip that step if I can. This is really bugging me and rather than avoiding this by buying a new router I want to learn what is a possible cause and fix it. I'm pretty sure learning how to deal with this could be helpful in the future.
Is it specific to WiFi?
This feels like a DNS issue. Some devices initial connection working fine and others not could be a DNS caching issue.
Clear the cache of all devices then try to connect to a site one at a time and time them. If they are all around the same speed after clearing the cache then it's probably a DNS thing.
I wonder if a cell phone gets a domain resolved on mobile, caches it, then use the cache when on wifi instead of making a new query. Just a shot in the dark
krisclarkdev said:
Is it specific to WiFi?
This feels like a DNS issue. Some devices initial connection working fine and others not could be a DNS caching issue.
Clear the cache of all devices then try to connect to a site one at a time and time them. If they are all around the same speed after clearing the cache then it's probably a DNS thing.
I wonder if a cell phone gets a domain resolved on mobile, caches it, then use the cache when on wifi instead of making a new query. Just a shot in the dark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will certainly give this a try.
Yes, it's Wi-Fi exclusive. Only at my home's Wi-Fi, because I've played this game at other places via Wi-Fi and I don't have this problem so what you suggest might not work. I'm almost certain there must be something wrong with this Wi-Fi router, some configuration getting in the way.
Download something like FCC Speed Test that shows more than up and down, specifically things like dropped packets. Run it three times on the same device at both locations and compare. Have you checked the routers logs for anything out of the ordinary?
krisclarkdev said:
Download something like FCC Speed Test that shows more than up and down, specifically things like dropped packets. Run it three times on the same device at both locations and compare. Have you checked the routers logs for anything out of the ordinary?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reason this app "FCC Speed Test" is showing as incompatible with all my devices, I really hope it doesn't need some kind of special Wi-Fi chip that makes this app work. The "newest" device I have is a Note 3. Went ahead and downloaded the apk file.
I'll get that done today and post the results to see if you can see the problem more clearly.
I am really not a person that knows much about networking and technical details. I just know the VERY basic things.
Things like how to change my router password, view who is using my Wi-Fi signal and block them via a Mac address. The VERY basic stuff. So I wouldn't be able to detect anything unusual in the router logs
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate you taking your time to respond to this. I will probably have these results in a few hours since I'm at work (I will also test this at my work's Wi-Fi as I also don't have a problem here. Not that I play this game at work but I've given it a test and it doesn't have the same problem as my home's Wi-Fi)
Thanks again
krisclarkdev said:
Download something like FCC Speed Test that shows more than up and down, specifically things like dropped packets. Run it three times on the same device at both locations and compare. Have you checked the routers logs for anything out of the ordinary?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately both places (my house and my aunt's house) stats look exactly the same. Both places dropped packets once. I ran it once at my work place and is the lowest you'll see in the attached screenshots.
I can't find a solution. I am close to giving up
Thanks for your help and your time
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