Database Info

the WIFI ISSUE

Is it just my G1 or does everyones wifi constantly switch from connected to 2g/3g (whatever you have) when the signal strength isn't too strong? Even when your keep it in the same spot. I was in my room and found a spot with connection but if I moved the phone a centimeter (literally) it would go back to the default data usage. If I it alone it only holds the signal for 45 minutes. This is not the issue with the laptop so why with the G1?

it happens to me all the time. i use keepwifi to keep wifi active even when the phones not in use.

[Q] How to select the strongest WIFI access point?

Does anyone know how the Xoom can connect/switch to the strongest WIFI access point? Would be great if someone can help me with this.
Thanks in advance!

Wahoo - a chance to give back for all I've learned here! So here goes.
This is MY experience asking the very same question. There may be a better answer of course. So, here's what I think I know:
Background - I have a XOOM and smart phones all over the house. My signal sucked in one part of the house, so I set up a repeater. I wanted to connect to the repeater when near it - and connect to my home router, when near it. I knew this had to be good because my signal meter said it would be. But, when I cycled the wifi on/off, no matter where I was standing, it would connect to AAA, before BBB. Even if BBB signal was 10 times the AAA. As long as it could see it, it would connect. Nuts.
My learning: Your device seeks in alpha number order = 1 before A, A before Z. If you have a signal strength meter installed, open it, walk around. You'll see AAA is stronger than BBB. Then BBB is stronger than AAA, etc. How would your device know which to pick? There are places you can stand, where it will go back and forth. If you've been following the 3G/4G discussions at all, or going from a wifi area to no wifi area (and leaving wifi activated), you'll know these are real battery killers.
Net - I don't think it can be smartly done for these reasons. My solution? I have a signal widget and a selector widget. When I know I should be on BBB, I hit selector and pick it. If I'm in public area searching, I let the device search, look at all the signals and then pick the one that is best. If I know I'll be back to an area often, I pick the other signals and "ignore" them, so I'll hit the strong one when I come back.
Maybe not what you're looking for, the automated solution, but I think I've learned the device isn't smart enough to pick the best signal. You have to do it, and then train the device using tools that are out there. I've found apps that claim to do this, my experience with them is the switching issue, back and forth, and the battery impact. YMMV.

newskate9 said:
Wahoo - a chance to give back for all I've learned here! So here goes.
This is MY experience asking the very same question. There may be a better answer of course. So, here's what I think I know:
Background - I have a XOOM and smart phones all over the house. My signal sucked in one part of the house, so I set up a repeater. I wanted to connect to the repeater when near it - and connect to my home router, when near it. I knew this had to be good because my signal meter said it would be. But, when I cycled the wifi on/off, no matter where I was standing, it would connect to AAA, before BBB. Even if BBB signal was 10 times the AAA. As long as it could see it, it would connect. Nuts.
My learning: Your device seeks in alpha number order = 1 before A, A before Z. If you have a signal strength meter installed, open it, walk around. You'll see AAA is stronger than BBB. Then BBB is stronger than AAA, etc. How would your device know which to pick? There are places you can stand, where it will go back and forth. If you've been following the 3G/4G discussions at all, or going from a wifi area to no wifi area (and leaving wifi activated), you'll know these are real battery killers.
Net - I don't think it can be smartly done for these reasons. My solution? I have a signal widget and a selector widget. When I know I should be on BBB, I hit selector and pick it. If I'm in public area searching, I let the device search, look at all the signals and then pick the one that is best. If I know I'll be back to an area often, I pick the other signals and "ignore" them, so I'll hit the strong one when I come back.
Maybe not what you're looking for, the automated solution, but I think I've learned the device isn't smart enough to pick the best signal. You have to do it, and then train the device using tools that are out there. I've found apps that claim to do this, my experience with them is the switching issue, back and forth, and the battery impact. YMMV.
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Thank you...really good information, and very well presented.

From my experience, android will always try to (re)connect to the last wifi it was connected. For example, if you have 2 wifis at home and you are connected on wifi1, if you go out and come back it will try to connect to wifi1 even if wifi2 is better.

I installed an app from the Play store called "Best WIFI" seems to working well.

wifi
Park82 said:
I installed an app from the Play store called "Best WIFI" seems to working well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good choice

Wifi Issues

When I move into my room, my laptop gets 90%-100% signal strength from my Wifi, my phone however randomly looses signal completely and especially when I take up the phone to use it. It's very frustrating. Plus when I'm on 3G, it constantly switches from 3G to H too.

The 3g H switching is normal if you are on tmo us and running the eu roms and has been discussed quite a bit
not sure what you mean by losing signal, but i get diff bars diff places in my house. never lose the whole connection as in not being able to dl or browse web
did you run speed tests at these diff locations in house

rugmankc said:
The 3g H switching is normal if you are on tmo us and running the eu roms and has been discussed quite a bit
not sure what you mean by losing signal, but i get diff bars diff places in my house. never lose the whole connection as in not being able to dl or browse web
did you run speed tests at these diff locations in house
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Click to collapse
I think you misunderstood his post. His primary problem is that the wifi on his phone doesn't come close to the signal strength his laptop has when in the same room.
The secondary problem was the 3g/4g switching.
OP -- I have no idea what to tell you.

no, i understood. just saying my phone wifi bars fluctuate even if my laptop has good signal. may just be the way they both display strength readings
i think op should run speed tests btw the two at same time. however both devices are splitting signal so may not be as good as only one running at a time
his speeds may be fine even though bars don't show it

rugmankc said:
no, i understood. just saying my phone wifi bars fluctuate even if my laptop has good signal. may just be the way they both display strength readings
i think op should run speed tests btw the two at same time. however both devices are splitting signal so may not be as good as only one running at a time
his speeds may be fine even though bars don't show it
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Click to collapse
I'm in Jamaica, no T-mobile. I'm not sure if I'm running an EU rom. My problem is that I loose connectivity to Wifi totally randomly in my room with even little motion. I mentioned my laptop for reference... it's like there's poor signal in my room. The phone'll just bit sitting on my bed, I hear an alert and pick up the phone to realize I've lost Wifi.
Speed is not the problem, I've been able to run a speed test to confirm I get the speed I'm supposed to get. Other times though, the speed test could not complete because I moved a little and lost connectivity.

HTC One S wifi
HTC One S wifi
Make sure that your SIM access cover is snapped in place.
It happened to me with the WiFi signal - The phone was losing signal, and had low signal 1 foot away from the router.
I 'pinched' the top-right corner of the access cover (thumb on the glass, index finger on the back cover) - I heard a 'click' and suddenly my WiFi was at full strength. I believe that the WiFi antenna is not connected unless it snaps together.

ok, not sure what to suggest. you could try turning airplane mode on and of and see if that helps
maybe router settings with the phone if you always had the issue
under settings/wifi/ tap on wifi then the 3 dot menu--Advanced. See if Keep Wi-Fi on during Sleep is Always. If not tap on it and change to Always
Also at bottom of Advanced menu is a DLNA setting, you could toggle that
barring that or someone else's ideas--maybe hardware and needs replaced

Try turning on Best Wifi Performance in Wifi, advanced settings.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U

Turning on best WiFi performance totally killed my battery life, but that may just be me.
If you're losing signal on one device but not another, I'd recommend changing the channel on your router. Interference on certain channels can cause weird issues with some devices. There are apps on the market that will show you which channels are congested in your area.

ptweasel said:
Turning on best WiFi performance totally killed my battery life, but that may just be me.
If you're losing signal on one device but not another, I'd recommend changing the channel on your router. Interference on certain channels can cause weird issues with some devices. There are apps on the market that will show you which channels are congested in your area.
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Click to collapse
Hmmm... I'll try that. So far turning on DLNA and Best Performance hasn't made any difference. I'll try changing the channel when I get home later and post the results. I REALLY hope h/w is not the problem.. it's gonna be a hassle sending this back.

It might be worth gently cleaning the contacts exposed when you remove the SIM access panel. As District noted, good contact is necessary for wifi (and probably other features). Dust or a fingerprint may be problematic.

Anything to bear in mind when trying to clean it or adjust it? I'm really paranoid I'll mess it up.

make sure you use electrical cleaner
radio shack sells it, comes in spray can
if you haven't had sim card out or phone long, probably not issue. but, worth try
if you have another router, you can always try that

Nothing seems to work... I'm using channel 11 @ home which doesn't seem to be crowded. I have the same issue @ work with our router. I've been having this problem from I got the phone last week. This is after I initially removed the back cover to first insert my SIM.
I'm going to try and see if I can secure a cleaner... I tried blowing on it mean time. Also turned on DLNA and best wifi performance and all.

DLNA auto-IP setting worked for me.
Hi OP,
I had the exact same wifi issues on my One S. I tried the router at work, the router at home and my mates router with the same results.
Mine seems to work now, with no disconnections or manually connections. What seems to have worked for me -- Wifi - Advanced menu -- DLNA auto-IP setting - toggle on. Then restart, making sure the setting is still set after reboot. Seems to have fixed my wifi issues.
HTH.
Darren.

Please help!!! On 3rd Nexus 5, having same issues. Phone support is abysmal :(

I am having ongoing issues with the wifi on my Nexus 5. To the point I've received my 3rd one from RMA, but still have the exact same issue. At first I thought it may have been a hardware issue with the phone, so I RMA'd it. When I got my second and had the same problem, I started to not think it was a physical defect with the phone. The odds of getting two phones with the same issues would be astronomical. Now, on my 3rd, and still have the same issue. Every time I try calling and speak to phone service reps, they really don't know anything, and based on the questions they ask, or troubleshooting steps they suggest, lead me to believe they don't even understand the issue I'm trying to explain.
The wifi on my phone seems to "freeze", or stop working, stop scanning, something throughout the day. My day starts with my phone connected to my home wifi network. I leave for work, and I can watch my phone picking up random wifi signals on my drive. I get to work, and it picks up 8 wifi networks. None of which I've connected to. When I leave work 8 hours later, my phone is no longer picking up wifi signals, and won't scan for new ones. I get home, and it still says the 8 networks from work are in range, even though I'm miles away.
This is how my wifi list should look sitting in my living room. It has my network that it is connected to, as well as it picks up 4 of my neighbors networks.
This is how it looks sitting in my living room after getting home from work. Those are the 8 work wifi networks, which are miles away. It still says they're in range. You can see the last one cut off on the bottom, is my home one that says it's out of range.
I can hit the 3 dot option button, and choose "Scan", and it won't rescan. If the only issue was that it didn't pick up my network, I could see it possibly being an issue with my home network. But the fact that it still shows 8 networks that are out of range, as well as the fact it won't detect any network, mine or my neighbors, kind of rules out that it's an issue with my network.
Turning wifi on and off won't fix it. However, power cycling the phone will, or if I toggle airplane mode. But I shouldn't have to do that every day when I come home.
With my most recent Nexus 5, when I took it out of the box I didn't do a single thing to it, aside from turn it on, and manually put in the info to connect to my home network. Not a single app was downloaded, just to rule out it wasn't something I was installing on the phone. I absolutely love the Nexus 5, it's probably the best phone I've owned. But I am at my wits end with this issue.

Its probably not an actual fix, but I was having the same problems with mine, and I hate sending stuff back and play the waiting game over and over. So I got pissed off with wifi and just left it on LTE for a week or so and went back to wifi just to check up on the issue and it was gone.
Its been almost 3 weeks now and no problem, everything is working perfectly fine. LTE draining my battery was a pain thou but it paid off in the end somehow.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I'd be happy with just about any fix, as long as it fixes the issue. LTE draining my battery wouldn't be an issue, I'd be more worried about my data. While I have "unlimited" data from AT&T, I get throttled after 5GB. Since I stream large amounts of music, I can blow through that rather fast. So I try to keep my phone connected to wifi as much as possible. But it definitely is something to suck up and try if I don't get a better solution. I have this cross posted just about everywhere I could think of.

Delayed WiFi timeout to disconnect?

This is something I've noticed over time now, honestly not entirely sure if it's just this phone because I never really paid attention to it on others.
Does anyone else notice that it takes a bit of time for wifi to actually disconnect from a network when you get far enough from it to have poor signal?
I mostly notice this when I walk my dogs. I'm able to walk almost an entire block away before Wi-Fi disconnects, as per the status showing.
I already removed antennas from the router as I do not need extended distance but it honestly seems like a phantom connection.
When I go back to the same spot that the wifi eventually drops and use Wi-Fi analyzer I don't even see the network.
Anyone else notice?