Why does FiOs wifi randomly go in and out?

It happened occasionally with the 2.4g router, but not too often. Now they sent us the 5g router (which also has the option of a 2.4g connection), and it goes out every damn day! Sometimes for two minutes, sometimes 5, sometimes 30 minutes! Then it comes back on. All random as far as I can tell.  What's up with this?


We had that problem and ultimately installed a few wireless access points and the problem has gone away.  I think that it's just a lousy router.


Steve said:
We had that problem and ultimately installed a few wireless access points and the problem has gone away.  I think that it's just a lousy router.

 OK, bear with me. What are "wireless access points?" And will the points cost me money? I don't think I should have to spend money because verizon sent us a piss-poor router.


Yes, they will cost money.  I have something like this (I have no idea what model I actually have): https://www.allhdd.com/networking/wireless/wireless-300mbps/air-cap3502i-a-k9-cisco-aironet-3502i-poe-access-point-2.4-5-ghz-300-mbps-wi-fi.-new-bulk-pack./?src=ggl&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3q_Pmqfz3wIVgq_ICh2P9QX5EAQYASABEgL1Q_D_BwE (Note:  a buddy of mine who works in the industry had removed these from an office and just put them in for me.)

There are lots of options out there.  There is an ethernet cable that runs from the router to the WAP, which then broadcasts a signal throughout the house.  Both WAPs are on the same network, so it provides much better coverage.


We have this problem as well.


you can try changing the channel on the router.  easiest way is to completely unplug it, let it sit for a few minutes, plug it back in ..wait a few more minutes and try it.


otherwise google "change channel on fios router"  you do it through the website (while the wifi is working or maybe if you plug in). I've had to do this with mine, my e reader lost contact because for some reason the channel quit working.


I should have mentioned, the unplugging resets the channel, but sometimes it just resets it to the same channel that isn't working..so you have to do it through the website.

username should be admin and the password is password if I remember correctly...it only works when you are connected to the router.


Does the internet go out or just the wifi?  Do things plugged in to your router via Ethernet cable still work?  Basic troubleshooting is better than just buying things.  


Not sure if you are more concerned about having a good connection for your TV / gaming systems, but I found MOCA to be a great solution for that.  The Verizon router is already a MOCA device.  

Another alternative is a Mesh Wifi setup (I don't know much about them, so someone else would have to jump in).

Here's an old article about MOCA:

https://www.tomshardware.co.uk/powerline-wireless-networking,review-31739-5.html


You'll need:

- Cable splitter (if you run the cable line through the MOCA device to the cable box, for whatever reason it strips the guide info, split the cable line, one into cable box and one for MOCA)

- MOCA device (https://www.amazon.com/Actiontec-Bonded-Ethernet-Adapter-ECB6200S02/dp/B013J7OBUU/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_147_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0H5RC78NMJ9F170A7ECA)

I found it very hard to find a MOCA device with more than one Ethernet port and ended up getting a network switch to get more Ethernet connections around the TV area.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Ethernet-Optimization-Unmanaged-TL-SG105/dp/B00A128S24/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1547739555&sr=1-3&keywords=network+switch


Regards,


RCH



I went and looked at the new MoCA devices and ActionTec makes a Wifi MoCA extender. Basically plug the cable line into the MoCA wifi extender and it gives you a new wifi spot and two ethernet connections.  The redband verizon fios router is MoCA 1.1 while the verizon quantum router is MoCA 2.O.  The extender below is MoCA 1.1 and much cheaper than the newer ActionTec wifi extender for MoCA 2.0.


Hmmm, instead of MoCA, if your router is old, maybe update it to the latest verizon router, which has the newest wireless spec (wireless AC vs N) which is much faster and has much greater range.


https://www.amazon.com/Actiontec-Dual-Band-Wireless-Extender-Ethernet/dp/B00FKTMWDE/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1547743299&sr=1-4&keywords=moca+wifi+extender


Regards,


RCH


I don’t have FIOS, but rather Optimum. Older house, plaster walls, the whole 9 yards. Always had wireless issues. Ran an Ethernet from one end of house to the other and installed a switch, added extenders and an Apple airport, while better, still not great and had several different ‘networks’ and devices didn’t always automatically switch. Just purchased an EERO Mesh WiFi system, basic router and two ‘beacons’. Not hard to setup and I’ve never had witless like this before. Not cheap, was about $400, but seems to have solved the problem. All other extenders, etc., have been disabled, but according to EERO I could reactivate, if I wanted to. 


vermontgolfer said:
I don’t have FIOS, but rather Optimum. Older house, plaster walls, the whole 9 yards. Always had wireless issues. Ran an Ethernet from one end of house to the other and installed a switch, added extenders and an Apple airport, while better, still not great and had several different ‘networks’ and devices didn’t always automatically switch. Just purchased an EERO Mesh WiFi system, basic router and two ‘beacons’. Not hard to setup and I’ve never had witless like this before. Not cheap, was about $400, but seems to have solved the problem. All other extenders, etc., have been disabled, but according to EERO I could reactivate, if I wanted to. 

Some good rules to follow when it comes to home networking...

1) The equipment you get from your provider is pretty much junk.

2) Wireless extenders as a concept are pretty much junk.

3) Apple's network products are junk.

What I recommend for people are to buy a 'gaming router' to use for your wireless (cheapest model of Netgear Nighthawk is where I send people) for a 'low end' solution or get a mesh system for a 'high end' solution. Mesh is the best, but in a lot of situations a decent router will be fine.

Because at some point computer networking gets complicated, it's almost always best to just use the new router as a 2nd router rather than replace it - dual-NAT is the technical name for this setup, not that you really need to know that. Just plug the new router in as a device into the old router. You CAN replace the router, but there are various potential complications depending on your ISP that it is usually best to just leave their stuff in place (especially with FiOS).



Switched to Optimum and got Google Wifi Haven't had any issues since. I got tired of endless troubleshooting sessions with Fios techs. Only thing I ever miss about Fios is the upload speed.


I have the same issue...had an important Skype meeting today and used my phone as a hotspot bc I didn’t trust the Wi-Fi not to drop out


A few additional comments. I’m not an IT guy so I’m sure some of the above comments carry a lot more weight. 


I do agree that most equipment from provider is not good and my experience with the extenders was not good, but I did find the Apple Airport to be quite reliable. 


As for the install, I did replace my router with the EERO, the only real issue I encountered was that I had to reinstall my wireless printer software to get on the ERRO network. 


As to upload speeds, while I don’t remember what they were on the mesh network, but they were very impressive. 


vermontgolfer said:
A few additional comments. I’m not an IT guy so I’m sure some of the above comments carry a lot more weight. 


I do agree that most equipment from provider is not good and my experience with the extenders was not good, but I did find the Apple Airport to be quite reliable. 


As for the install, I did replace my router with the EERO, the only real issue I encountered was that I had to reinstall my wireless printer software to get on the ERRO network. 


As to upload speeds, while I don’t remember what they were on the mesh network, but they were very impressive. 

 I only got the 100/30 package and I consistently get that or better at the wall. I get slightly slower at the furthest Google mesh point which is in the attic but its not a major difference. My camera spits out 50mb RAW files so if I'm uploading a few hundred and my wife is using Portal or her bike and my kid is on-line something will stutter. I just stick to uploading right before I go to bed after everyone else is asleep and its all good. 


how many of you folks are IT people?  I'm not, but every poster here has ignored my upthread troubleshooting question.  None of you yet know if the entire feed to the house or just the wifi is going out and here you all are discussing what router to buy, or moca wiring, or mesh products. Step one before step two, right?


I have had FiOS internet drop out a few times (in over a year). One time it was their fault—they forgot to lock the ONT and water ruined it. A couple of times I had to reboot the router (internet loss only) and one time I asked them to send me a new router. Since then, I didn’t have a problem until today... all services lost. Unplugged the router and waited for 30 seconds. Everything worked fine after that. Results of the WiFi test I just performed. Amazing...


FilmCarp said:
how many of you folks are IT people?  I'm not, but every poster here has ignored my upthread troubleshooting question.  None of you yet know if the entire feed to the house or just the wifi is going out and here you all are discussing what router to buy, or moca wiring, or mesh products. Step one before step two, right?

I am an 'IT people'. There's a limit to how much one can volunteer to go into on an Internet chat room. I do IT support all day, so while I'm good with dropping the odd tip here and there, I don't really want to get into the weeds of someone else's problem in my spare time.

The basic steps for TCP/IP troubleshooting are beyond most people. Replacing a router isn't. You can buy one at a place like Best Buy and if it doesn't make your life better you can return it. It's a pretty painless process which is command line free. While you hear about wiring problems in places like this where complaints congregate together, they're generally pretty rare, while a router being taxed beyond it's capabilities is a very common occurrence.

I mean, the best thing  from the OP's perspective would be for me to come live in their house for a few days so I could troubleshoot when the net goes out, but that's not gonna happen, so you gotta take what you can get!

grin 


qrysdonnell said:


FilmCarp said:
how many of you folks are IT people?  I'm not, but every poster here has ignored my upthread troubleshooting question.  None of you yet know if the entire feed to the house or just the wifi is going out and here you all are discussing what router to buy, or moca wiring, or mesh products. Step one before step two, right?
I am an 'IT people'. There's a limit to how much one can volunteer to go into on an Internet chat room. I do IT support all day, so while I'm good with dropping the odd tip here and there, I don't really want to get into the weeds of someone else's problem in my spare time.
The basic steps for TCP/IP troubleshooting are beyond most people. Replacing a router isn't. You can buy one at a place like Best Buy and if it doesn't make your life better you can return it. It's a pretty painless process which is command line free. While you hear about wiring problems in places like this where complaints congregate together, they're generally pretty rare, while a router being taxed beyond it's capabilities is a very common occurrence.
I mean, the best thing  from the OP's perspective would be for me to come live in their house for a few days so I could troubleshoot when the net goes out, but that's not gonna happen, so you gotta take what you can get!
grin 

The best thing for the OP would be accurate troubleshooting before spending money.  Does the wired Ethernet work while the wireless is down?  That simple question would narrow the problem down considerably, wouldn't it?  With no Technical talk involved.


FilmCarp said:


qrysdonnell said:

FilmCarp said:
how many of you folks are IT people?  I'm not, but every poster here has ignored my upthread troubleshooting question.  None of you yet know if the entire feed to the house or just the wifi is going out and here you all are discussing what router to buy, or moca wiring, or mesh products. Step one before step two, right?
I am an 'IT people'. There's a limit to how much one can volunteer to go into on an Internet chat room. I do IT support all day, so while I'm good with dropping the odd tip here and there, I don't really want to get into the weeds of someone else's problem in my spare time.
The basic steps for TCP/IP troubleshooting are beyond most people. Replacing a router isn't. You can buy one at a place like Best Buy and if it doesn't make your life better you can return it. It's a pretty painless process which is command line free. While you hear about wiring problems in places like this where complaints congregate together, they're generally pretty rare, while a router being taxed beyond it's capabilities is a very common occurrence.
I mean, the best thing  from the OP's perspective would be for me to come live in their house for a few days so I could troubleshoot when the net goes out, but that's not gonna happen, so you gotta take what you can get!
grin 
The best thing for the OP would be accurate troubleshooting before spending money.  Does the wired Ethernet work while the wireless is down?  That simple question would narrow the problem down considerably, wouldn't it?  With no Technical talk involved.

 That’s easily testable. Next time the WiFi goes away, turn on the TV and check that the cable works and that On Demand is functioning. If you can’t watch a tv episode, on demand, it’s the connection from the cable company, otherwise, check your home computer hard connected to the cable modem using Speedtest.net, if that works and you still have no WiFi, then it’s the WiFi.


Thanks, all. I'm almost positive it's just wifi, not the internet overall. But if it goes out again, I'll test it.

I say "if" it goes out again because I came across what might have been the problem:  My Samsung smart TV. I was troubleshooting a different problem and incidentally learned that when Samsung Wireless Link (SWL) is enabled on the TV it interferes with wifi connection. SWL creates a network called SEC_LinkShare SSID.  Apparently, according to what I found on a technology blog, SEC_LinkShare SSID is a strong access point that can block other access points. The advice was to toggle the SWL to 'off' in the Samsung TV menu.  I did that. So far, so good.


My wifi was going out every few minutes.  I moved the FIOS router from the basement to the first floor and haven't had the problem since.


GGartrell said:
Switched to Optimum and got Google Wifi Haven't had any issues since. I got tired of endless troubleshooting sessions with Fios techs. Only thing I ever miss about Fios is the upload speed.

 What is "Google Wifi"?


unicorn33 said:


GGartrell said:
Switched to Optimum and got Google Wifi Haven't had any issues since. I got tired of endless troubleshooting sessions with Fios techs. Only thing I ever miss about Fios is the upload speed.
 What is "Google Wifi"?

 Hey Alexa, what is "Google Wifi?"

https://www.amazon.com/Google-WiFi-system-3-Pack-replacement/dp/B01MAW2294


ridski said:


unicorn33 said:

GGartrell said:
Switched to Optimum and got Google Wifi Haven't had any issues since. I got tired of endless troubleshooting sessions with Fios techs. Only thing I ever miss about Fios is the upload speed.
 What is "Google Wifi"?
 Hey Alexa, what is "Google Wifi?"
https://www.amazon.com/Google-WiFi-system-3-Pack-replacement/dp/B01MAW2294

 I'm surprised she didn't say, "Go ask Google Assistant!" ;-)


unicorn33 said:


GGartrell said:
Switched to Optimum and got Google Wifi Haven't had any issues since. I got tired of endless troubleshooting sessions with Fios techs. Only thing I ever miss about Fios is the upload speed.
 What is "Google Wifi"?

 Sorry, didn't see your question until now. Its a little puck style router/extender that creates a makeshift wireless mesh network in your house. There are a bunch of different people who make them but the Google ones are the only ones I have personal experience with. So you hook one to the modem from your provider and then place the others strategically around your home. Once you have them all placed properly you get a solid signal everywhere. I get nearly the same speed anywhere in my house that I get coming out of the wall. 


GGartrell said:


unicorn33 said:

GGartrell said:
Switched to Optimum and got Google Wifi Haven't had any issues since. I got tired of endless troubleshooting sessions with Fios techs. Only thing I ever miss about Fios is the upload speed.
 What is "Google Wifi"?
 Sorry, didn't see your question until now. Its a little puck style router/extender that creates a makeshift wireless mesh network in your house. There are a bunch of different people who make them but the Google ones are the only ones I have personal experience with. So you hook one to the modem from your provider and then place the others strategically around your home. Once you have them all placed properly you get a solid signal everywhere. I get nearly the same speed anywhere in my house that I get coming out of the wall. 

 Interesting. thanks.



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