I recently encountered an issue that could be a trap for young players, so thought I’d pass this quick tip on.
This is the scenario: I have a wireless network that has as connected devices a pair of TVs, a PS4, 2 Macs, 3 PCs, 2 printers plus assorted mobile phones and tablets. Pretty straight forward stuff.
Network Devices
Additionally though, there are some more exotic devices such as an Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro, RØDECaster Video and RØDECaster Pro II, a pair of 3D printers, a Swann security system and finally, a newly installed SolarEdge battery and panels.
A few weeks ago, out of the blue, things started playing up on selected devices. We first noticed it on our phones as being out of range of the closest tower, we rely on Wi-fi calling and we couldn’t make any calls, although receiving was OK.
Next, both ABC iView and Kayo on one of the TVs stopped working, shortly followed by Britbox and finally, communication to the newly installed battery failed.
I tried everything I knew including resetting all devices, re-installing apps on the TV (and even getting the ABC to delete my account and create a new one), checked and double checked the router settings, had NBN check our connection – you get the idea.
But still the problems persisted – not continually but seemingly randomly.
Eventually in frustration I ditched our 12-month-old D-Link Aquila Mesh system and reconnected an older D-Link 288A router and presto! Everything came back.
2.4GHz and 5GHz
A little bit of detective work discovered the 2.4GHz band on the Aquila was playing up and randomly for some reason shutting off. It followed therefore that some devices – notably the TV – would not work on the 5GHz band and nor would the new solar battery system and a few other things.
The mobile phones too were set to the 2.4GHz band hence the phone outage.
Now I don’t know enough about networks to understand why this may happen apart from perhaps a processor failure, but now I have seen this situation with my own eyes and mentioned it to a few people, I can see I am not an isolated case, and everyone I suggested to try a different router has since rectified their own problems.
If you are having this issue, maybe it will help you too. Simply try a different router and see if it fixes the issue.
192.168.x.x
Additionally, I suggest you get to know at least the basics of the router settings when you get into the guts of the system with a browser. Normally this is accessed by entering a specific IP address into the browser – usually, but not always, starting with 192.168.x.x eg 192.168.0.1.
Check your manual or online with the website of the router’s manufacturer for more details.