Can't connect to wifi

I have a Netgear router and my phone and my consoles connect fine on wifi. My Dads phone however won't. Its a cheap Galaxy Mini running Android Gingerbread. It says 'out of range' when I connect even tho a scan picks it up. The router is fine as like I said all other devices connect ok. Any ideas?

Wireless may be set to N only. Try changing to mixed G and N. Failing that, try changing to G only just to see if it can then connect...

If still doesn't work consider changing more settings on your wireless access point to see if it will eventually connect. i.e., security settings, 20/40Mhz spectrum, etc.

Failing that, I would say the phone is defective.

Cheers. Rebooting the router allowed it to connect. However as soon as he was out of range of the signal, when he comes back in range the same problem occurs.

Sounds VERY familiar. Lots of devices do this, even some new laptops are like that.

It's one of those quirks of wireless, sometimes it is the WAPs fault, other times it is the wireless client's fault. We have a batch of new laptops at work which do this, if you walk out of range and come back they just stay there showing connected yet won't pass any data, sometimes takes about 2-3 minutes before they start to behave again.

You can try adjusting things to see if it helps, but often it is a compromise sort of thing. If you reduce the DHCP duration on your router when it gives out the address lease to the device if it is short enough it should mean the device will check in more frequently for new IP information and it might be enough to keep jogging it, but of course that affects your other clients. it can be caused by every sort of setting going. Wireless channel (so experiment changing between 1 6 and 11), encryption type, and other settings on your access point.

Edited by Pipexer (Sat 13-Apr-13 16:26:10)

Wonder if the "out of range" message is referring to the IP address assigned by the DHCP, rather than physically being out of range of the router?

I havent set up a static IP so the DHCP is assigning the IP address on his phone

Another quick question. Does a device remember the IP it had and try to connect on the IP the next time its turned on?

For example my Xbox always connects on 192.168.0.7, even though .4 and .5 are free to use

In reply to a post by bobble_bob:

Another quick question. Does a device remember the IP it had and try to connect on the IP the next time its turned on?

No, if it's DHCP the first action is to request a lease.

In reply to a post by yarwell:

In reply to a post by bobble_bob:

Another quick question. Does a device remember the IP it had and try to connect on the IP the next time its turned on?

No, if it's DHCP the first action is to request a lease.

So how come every device i have always uses the same IP address, even when others before it are available?

The lease expiry must be set to be very long in that case.

When i check with ipconfig on my PC its 24 hours, not sure if that applies to all devices or just the PC

I don't think so, because "out of range" would make no real sense in a DHCP context. It will probably be something quirky with the wireless chipset on the phone that doesn't like being brought out of range and then back in. Try changing a few settings and see what happens would be my suggestion.

Having said that I definitely have seen quirks with DHCP on home routers etc which phones and printers etc don't seem to like.

Yea will do thanks. Im certain its the phone as every other device connected both wired and wireless (about 7 ive tried) all connect fine. Seems the phone connects for a split second before disconnecting

I'd be inclined to try changing your settings to G ONLY on a 20Mhz bandwidth (NOT 20/40Mhz or 40MHZ) - and see if any difference.

Of course, even if this fixes it this is not ideal because it slows the rest of your wireless clients down, but at least then you know the reason...

Will give it a try, but seems it may just be the phone. Same phone, same issue here:

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-mini-s5570/4...

So how come every device i have always uses the same IP address, even when others before it are available?

The device requests a renewal, as opposed to a release and request, so "tends to" get the same IP. This cannot be relied upon, as many owners of network printers discover the hard way.

are you using the WPA/WPA2 mode ? switch to WPA2 or WPA only and see if it improves. Some devices can't hack these bodged modes.

Im on WPA-PSK

What WIFI channel is the router using?

Some of the channels are not used in all countries.

Channel 12 and 13 are not legal in USA. The phone may be an "international" version that doesnt use these channels. Other devices would be fine with this .............

In reply to a post by bobble_bob:

Im on WPA-PSK

try WPA2 ?

WPA2 does same.

Its on channel 1. Phone was bought from Orange shop so assume its a UK phone, and like i said it does connect straight after a reboot so it does work (sort of), just not when the phone leaves and comes back into range

My dad can get wifi at work so is going to try it tomorrow see what happens