Please click the link below for your operating system to download the TSG SysInfo Utility. Click on "Save File" then double-click the file to run it. Copy and paste the report in your initial post. Windows 7 and later (downloads a file named tsginfo.exe) | Windows XP (downloads a file named SysInfo.exe)

Weird wifi problem

6756 Views 21 Replies 4 Participants Last post by plodr, Feb 15, 2016

myeang

Discussion Starter · Feb 6, 2016

I have been using fiber broadband for the past 2 years with the wireless security setting "Mixed WPA2/WPA-PSK." There were no problems for 2 years.
Suddenly, on October 11, 2015, all wireless devices (laptops, phones and tablets) failed to connect. Phones and tablets would show "authentication problem" and the laptops would just not connect to the same network (Windows was unable to connect message).

Product Rectangle Font Screenshot Technology

The only way to access the network wirelessly and still have a measure of security was to use WEP shared with a network key.

The local ISP sent 4 technicians and changed the router 4 times, but could not solve this problem. Each time they came on-site and set the router to Mixed WPA2/WPA-PSK, wireless connection was alright until they left my home. After that, no amount of troubleshooting could get the wireless connections up, unless I reverted to WEP shared.

See less See more

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

TerryNet

· #2 · Feb 6, 2016

Did you try (just) WPA-PSK? Or was Mixed the only option?

myeang

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 6, 2016

Hi Terry,
I tried WPA2-PSK and connections were unpredictable, mostly no connection, so I went back to WEP shared. I have not tried WPA-PSK though. Is there a great difference between WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK?

TerryNet

· #4 · Feb 6, 2016

Almost any wireless adapter still alive can connect to WPA-PSK (may need a driver update), but has to have the right hardware for WPA2. WPA has not yet been cracked (slightly compromised, but not cracked) so in practice it is as secure as WPA2.

Maybe we should check for possible interference from another network (that could be affecting one encryption more than another). The following requires a Windows system ...

Please attach a screen shot of the Networks page (don't collapse the Radar, Connection or Signal History) of the Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector. If you need help with a screen shot see TSG Posting a Screenshot. FWIW to take screen shots with Windows Vista or latter I prefer to use the built-in Snipping Tool.

myeang

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 7, 2016

Rectangle Font Line Screenshot Parallel

Product Rectangle Azure Font Line

See less See more

2

TerryNet

· #6 · Feb 7, 2016

That looks good (no clues to the problem). You have the same troubles on the 2.4 Ghz network, right?

myeang

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 7, 2016

Yes. However, both networks are working fine with WEP shared. I just tried WPA-PSK and they work too, but I don't know for how long. Maybe I shall try it for a few days and see.

A friend brought his laptop and it does not have WPA-PSK, only WEP, WPA2-PSK and Mixed. Perhaps some newer devices have done away with the older WPA.

myeang

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 11, 2016

WPA-PSK worked and then I tried WPA2-PSK. All my wireless connections were up for 3 days on WPA2-PSK. Then, on the 3rd day, all wireless devices could not be connected with either WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK. Thus, I had to fall back on WEP shared, which worked. Most of my neighbors are on WPA2-PSK. I really don't understand why I'm not able to use the higher levels.

The local ISP says that I'm the only one with the problem, which they have never encountered. Has anyone experienced this and successfully solved the problem?

keltic1der

· #9 · Feb 11, 2016

myeang said:
I have been using fiber broadband for the past 2 years with the wireless security setting "Mixed WPA2/WPA-PSK." There were no problems for 2 years.
Suddenly, on October 11, 2015, all wireless devices (laptops, phones and tablets) failed to connect. Phones and tablets would show "authentication problem" and the laptops would just not connect to the same network (Windows was unable to connect message). View attachment 246476

The only way to access the network wirelessly and still have a measure of security was to use WEP shared with a network key.

The local ISP sent 4 technicians and changed the router 4 times, but could not solve this problem. Each time they came on-site and set the router to Mixed WPA2/WPA-PSK, wireless connection was alright until they left my home. After that, no amount of troubleshooting could get the wireless connections up, unless I reverted to WEP shared.

From your control panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer > Application and Service Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WLAN-AutoConfig > and selection Operational.
This can be used to help identify what is going on with the wireless connection.

myeang

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 12, 2016 (Edited)

On February 3, 2016 (earliest error in my log), the following happened:
EventData

Adapter Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 AGN
DeviceGuid {38AFB484-9E8C-4D9F-ADA0-A570B4301EA3}
LocalMac 00:1E:65:EB:41:78
SSID M and J (5G)
BSSType Infrastructure
PeerMac E0:8E:3C:0A:A2:03
ReasonText Dynamic key exchange did not succeed within configured time
ReasonCode 0x48005
ErrorCode 0x
ConnectionId 0x6

What does this mean?

See less See more

keltic1der

· #11 · Feb 12, 2016

Ah, I am guessing you are using Windows 7, since this is a known issue with Windows 7.
You can try this:
Go into Power Options > select Change plan settings > select change advanced power settings > scroll down to wireless settings > select Power Saving Mode > Change both On battery and Plugged in to Maximum Performance.
Then open your device manage, go to network adaptors > double click on your wireless card > locate the tab with the option that allows the computer to shut off the wireless card to save power and uncheck it.

keltic1der

· #12 · Feb 12, 2016

Let me know if that works or doesn't work.

myeang

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 13, 2016

The "Power Saving Mode" was already set at Maximum Performance and "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" was already unchecked.

In any case, all my other devices, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Lenovo tablet, A.C. Ryan 9.7" tablet and Xiaomi Redmi 1S phone could not connect to the router when WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK were used. At times when they could connect, the connections were not stable, and disconnections were frequent. The only stable network authentication I have now is WEP shared. However, apparently this is the slowest of the lot and is not recommended because it is not as secure.

keltic1der

· #14 · Feb 13, 2016

The only other thing I can recommend, if you haven't done it is update the firmware. If you have, you might want to replace the router.

myeang

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 13, 2016

Thanks for the suggestions, but the firmware has already been updated, and the router has been changed 4 times!

keltic1der

· #16 · Feb 13, 2016

I recommended what I recommended, because I have been researching this exact same issue. At our office we have 5 computers that cannot connect to WPA2 as well. the funny thing is they can connect to DLink WAPS, but nothing else. Go figure. Would the laptops having the issues by chance be Dell Latitudes E6540's?

myeang

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 14, 2016

No, my laptops are an Acer 5935G and an Acer 7720G.

If everyone else had been affected, I might have thought that perhaps the ISP had changed something, or there were abnormally big solar storms, or Skynet had become self-aware.

However, since the problem happened only to me after Oct 11, and since I have not changed or added anything myself and the neighbors in my apartment block are all on WPA or WPA2, I surmised that one of my neighbors could have installed some electrical/electronic device that interferes with my wireless network.

However, I don't know how to investigate further in a tactful way.

TerryNet

· #18 · Feb 14, 2016

If the router is plugged into a power strip or surge protector try with it plugged directly into a wall outlet.

myeang

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 15, 2016

Can't do that as I've got only one wall outlet (believe it or not). The other outlet in the room is inconveniently located where neither the power strip nor the router can reach because the cables are not long enough. However, the cordless phone cable may be long enough. I could try relocating the cordless phone plug to the other outlet by running the cable along the top of the room door but I doubt that the cordless phone is interfering because I had tried switching the phone off a few weeks ago and pulled the plug out, but the connection problem remained.

TerryNet

· #20 · Feb 15, 2016

You could try a new power strip, but if the problem is a heavily loaded circuit that problem would remain.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.