TLDR: My router would only let me connect for a few seconds at a time. What kind of misconfiguration could cause that?
Long story:
Ok, so last night I embarked on an attempt to get them to play nicely with each other. I can set them up with different SSIDs just fine. If I set them up with the same SSID, then my laptop stays connected to the one that had the strongest signal when it started. It should roam to the stronger signal when I go from one end of the house to the other.
Poking around online, I found that it might be because they’re not using the same security settings. So I look, and I notice that while they have the same password, one (old router) is using WPA2 with TKIP, and one (new router) is using WPA/WPA2 with “Auto” encryption algorithm. Because the routers are different brands, they don’t have exactly the same capabilities, but they both support WPA2 with both AES and TKIP, so I tried to set new router to WPA2, TKIP. It gave me a warning about that not working in 802.11n mode. I wasn’t sure if I cared, but I figured I could just use AES, so I set both to TKIP AES.
Catastrophe. I could no longer connect to old router at all. I could connect to the 5GHz signal on new router… but only for about 3 seconds, then I would lose my connection. So I ended up doing a hard reset on both and going back to the two-separate SSIDs setup, which is awkward, but at least works.
So, how did I end up with a connection that would last only a few seconds? I could disconnect and reconnect fine, but each time would just be a few seconds before it lost signal. And I know it was actually connecting, since during those few seconds I could actually load web pages.
It sounds to me like you should bridge one of the routers. I’m assuming that you have one of the routers acting as your gateway to the internet and the other as a stand alone, right? If both routers are acting as the DHCP server, they will both try to assign ip addresses to your computer and cause your network to cack unless they re different networks (ssid).
Here is a basic tutorial on bridging but keep in mind you will likely have to get specific instructions for your model as they all do it slightly differently. Google is your friend there.
It was working fine when they had different SSIDs.
It was working fine when they had the same SSID, although my laptop wouldn’t roam.
Then I changed the wireless security protocol/encryption standard, and everything went to hell.
Do your routers have the stock firmware? If you have the option, install DD-WRT on both routers and then run them as client/repeater. The route to follow would be like this link.
Also, is your laptop configured for the same encryption as the routers?
One has DD-WRT on it. The other has stock firmware. I’ve thought about upgrading that one to DD-WRT as well.
My laptop must support the encryption method, since it works for a few seconds. If it didn’t support the encryption method, it would never connect, full stop.
I’m less looking for ways to solve my problem, and more just trying to wrap my head around what the problem could even be. How do you have a wifi connection that’s only stable for a few seconds?
I’ve got a pile of old routers, and I’ve sorted through them to find one that I can install DD-WRT on, and run a VPN on. Then, whenever I start it, the equipment plugged into that one is connected to the VPN’s endpoint. I’ll be using it to connect my older Roku and install the BBC’s iPlayer.
Valid point, and one I should have thought of wrt your encryption. The encryption method itself may be the issue according to this article, and makes a lot of sense based on what your symptoms. It’s definitely a new one on me as I’ve never experienced that particular issue with WPA before.
Thanks for the link. I have also not experienced this, but I suppose some driver bug could be the issue.
I ended up resetting both routers and re-setting them up for separate networks. At some point I’ll try to go the combined route again, but I’ll only do so with matching firmware.