WiFi's patchy- but I REALLY need WiFi today
April 28, 2020 9:34 AM Subscribe
I'm home for the first time post quarantine, and have discovered my WiFi's crashing regularly. I'm co-leading a large webinar over Zoom in 3.5 hours. What can I do before then to avoid crashing out during the webinar?
Relevant info:
-It went out in both Zoom meetings I was on yesterday, and again when I was watching Netflix last night
-When it goes out, the WiFi says it's connected but I don't have internet access on any of my 3 devices
-My ISP is Xfinity, and I'm in an apartment building where Xfinity is the only ISP
-I just did a speed test, and the download speed is 28.05, and the upload speed is 6.46
-My internet is generally really consistent
-I don't have an ethernet adapter for my Macbook so I can't plug in directly, but if the only way to do this is to run out and get an adapter somewhere, this webinar is essential enough (training the staff on a support line for medical workers) that I need to do that
-I have a hotspot on my phone that I could use but I don't know how reliable it would be for an hour-long Zoom webinar
Things I've tried:
-Restarting both the router and the modem several times (including waiting a minute before turning the router back on after turning the modem on)
-Rebooting the router from the router settings page
-Restarting the modem via the Xfinity page
-Changing my WiFi password
Weird and maybe relevant:
When I checked the wireless stats, I saw a 4th MAC address periodically pop up on my network, despite having only 3 active devices. I do have an old iPhone that is only connected to WiFi when it's on, but hasn't been used in months and is currently on the HELLO setup page because it rebooted itself. This was part of the motivation for changing my WiFi password, but after I changed the password, I still saw a fourth MAC address show up briefly- not long enough to write it down.
Relevant info:
-It went out in both Zoom meetings I was on yesterday, and again when I was watching Netflix last night
-When it goes out, the WiFi says it's connected but I don't have internet access on any of my 3 devices
-My ISP is Xfinity, and I'm in an apartment building where Xfinity is the only ISP
-I just did a speed test, and the download speed is 28.05, and the upload speed is 6.46
-My internet is generally really consistent
-I don't have an ethernet adapter for my Macbook so I can't plug in directly, but if the only way to do this is to run out and get an adapter somewhere, this webinar is essential enough (training the staff on a support line for medical workers) that I need to do that
-I have a hotspot on my phone that I could use but I don't know how reliable it would be for an hour-long Zoom webinar
Things I've tried:
-Restarting both the router and the modem several times (including waiting a minute before turning the router back on after turning the modem on)
-Rebooting the router from the router settings page
-Restarting the modem via the Xfinity page
-Changing my WiFi password
Weird and maybe relevant:
When I checked the wireless stats, I saw a 4th MAC address periodically pop up on my network, despite having only 3 active devices. I do have an old iPhone that is only connected to WiFi when it's on, but hasn't been used in months and is currently on the HELLO setup page because it rebooted itself. This was part of the motivation for changing my WiFi password, but after I changed the password, I still saw a fourth MAC address show up briefly- not long enough to write it down.
If I was in your situation I would:
- shut off all my devices
- go buy the adapter
- turn everything back on and test stuff and if it's still being crap open and use the adapter.
If cost isn't an issue just use the adapter.
posted by Uncle at 9:42 AM on April 28, 2020
- shut off all my devices
- go buy the adapter
- turn everything back on and test stuff and if it's still being crap open and use the adapter.
If cost isn't an issue just use the adapter.
posted by Uncle at 9:42 AM on April 28, 2020
This would be an odd workaround but if you have a car and a good enough laptop battery to last the entire meeting, you could drive someplace where there is a reliable mobile hotspot or open wifi network and work from your car. I did this from an xfinity hotspot near my house and got great speeds, YMMV.
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:45 AM on April 28, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:45 AM on April 28, 2020 [6 favorites]
Response by poster: Where's the most likely place to find an adapter? I'm in Seattle and the Apple store is closed for COVID. Maybe Target?
posted by quiet coyote at 9:46 AM on April 28, 2020
posted by quiet coyote at 9:46 AM on April 28, 2020
To add to Needs More Cowbell, local libraries near me have free Wifi in their parking lots; they are advertising this even though they're closed. That might be an option.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 9:55 AM on April 28, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 9:55 AM on April 28, 2020 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Do you have Zoom dialin numbers? For important meetings I use Zoom for video but dial-in with my phone for audio. This does two things:
-Takes the load off my Internet and, more importantly,
-If my Internet becomes unreliable or even crashes I am still speaking and listening in the meeting
posted by vacapinta at 10:04 AM on April 28, 2020 [12 favorites]
-Takes the load off my Internet and, more importantly,
-If my Internet becomes unreliable or even crashes I am still speaking and listening in the meeting
posted by vacapinta at 10:04 AM on April 28, 2020 [12 favorites]
Agree with vacapinta - I always connect audio via phone for best quality. I would also make someone else a co-host so if you get disconnected, the meeting can keep going.
posted by valeries at 10:31 AM on April 28, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by valeries at 10:31 AM on April 28, 2020 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: It crashed again during another (non-essential) Zoom meeting right after I posted this, but then I unplugged my router/modem for 10 min and plugged them back in, turned off wifi on all devices except my laptop, and then contacted Xfinity to have them refresh my signal. I was able to stay in the meeting with my hotspot for the first half of the meeting while I did this troubleshooting and then the internet worked fine for the second half post troubleshooting. I also ordered an ethernet adapter on Amazon that should arrive on Thursday in case it's still an issue by then (I have to do more of these trainings).
I'd prefer to not connect audio via phone because then my phone window will be what shows up in speaker view rather than my video, but I will have the number ready and call in if need be. I had totally forgotten that that's an option so thank you for the reminder!
posted by quiet coyote at 10:45 AM on April 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I'd prefer to not connect audio via phone because then my phone window will be what shows up in speaker view rather than my video, but I will have the number ready and call in if need be. I had totally forgotten that that's an option so thank you for the reminder!
posted by quiet coyote at 10:45 AM on April 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: > I'd prefer to not connect audio via phone because then my phone window will be what shows up in speaker view rather than my video
That's not the case all the time. When you join the meeting, you get a choice, but the meeting may be setup to restrict some. When I use Zoom for work for example, I can choose Call Me, Join with Computer Audio, or Dial in. If I choose Dial in, it gives me numbers to call. If I choose Call Me, it calls me and I can answer. In both of those, I'm using my phone and not my internet, though the Mute button on zoom still works.
You only end up with two participants in zoom if you join the meeting twice.
posted by cmm at 11:01 AM on April 28, 2020 [5 favorites]
That's not the case all the time. When you join the meeting, you get a choice, but the meeting may be setup to restrict some. When I use Zoom for work for example, I can choose Call Me, Join with Computer Audio, or Dial in. If I choose Dial in, it gives me numbers to call. If I choose Call Me, it calls me and I can answer. In both of those, I'm using my phone and not my internet, though the Mute button on zoom still works.
You only end up with two participants in zoom if you join the meeting twice.
posted by cmm at 11:01 AM on April 28, 2020 [5 favorites]
Do you have access to some kind of admin panel where you can change the 2.4G or 5G channel you are connecting to? I had a similar issue a few weeks ago, and that's why my tech support suggested, and I haven't had a problem since. They said with so many people at home, the channels that routers tend to default to can get super congested and cause exactly the problem you described. Find a channel without so many people on it.
Also, if you have a choice to manually select 2.4G or 5G, then try 5G, as it's is likely less congested in general, so if your workspace is close enough to your router, that can be a good idea. (My rough understanding is that 5G is a faster connection, but 2.4G works over a larger range.)
posted by ktkt at 11:03 AM on April 28, 2020
Also, if you have a choice to manually select 2.4G or 5G, then try 5G, as it's is likely less congested in general, so if your workspace is close enough to your router, that can be a good idea. (My rough understanding is that 5G is a faster connection, but 2.4G works over a larger range.)
posted by ktkt at 11:03 AM on April 28, 2020
Maybe too late for today, but would you be able to run a network cable directly from the router to your computer?
Edit: oh shit, missed the "no adapter in my macbook" in the OP. NM.
posted by notsnot at 11:20 AM on April 28, 2020
Edit: oh shit, missed the "no adapter in my macbook" in the OP. NM.
posted by notsnot at 11:20 AM on April 28, 2020
When it goes out, the WiFi says it's connected but I don't have internet access on any of my 3 devices
Then going hardwired is probably not going to solve the issue. Assuming that information is correct, the problem is your router, the cable modem, the cable modem's connection, or possibly some of the wiring between those devices.
I have experienced your symptoms both when the router and the cable modem hardware had gone bad.
You can try updating your router's firmware, which might solve the problem if it's just software. Swapping out the router would be the easiest thing right now to do to test it currently. If you're friendly with any neighbors that you trust to have been isolating as much as possible, you might see if any of them have an old one you could borrow.
Barring that (or buying a new router), get an ethernet adapter (office supply stores will have them, albeit pricier than mail order) and plug the laptop directly into the cable modem and see if that helps.
posted by Candleman at 11:39 AM on April 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Then going hardwired is probably not going to solve the issue. Assuming that information is correct, the problem is your router, the cable modem, the cable modem's connection, or possibly some of the wiring between those devices.
I have experienced your symptoms both when the router and the cable modem hardware had gone bad.
You can try updating your router's firmware, which might solve the problem if it's just software. Swapping out the router would be the easiest thing right now to do to test it currently. If you're friendly with any neighbors that you trust to have been isolating as much as possible, you might see if any of them have an old one you could borrow.
Barring that (or buying a new router), get an ethernet adapter (office supply stores will have them, albeit pricier than mail order) and plug the laptop directly into the cable modem and see if that helps.
posted by Candleman at 11:39 AM on April 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
If your router is more than 4 years old, and experiencing these symptoms, it could be going bad-- that's around the time, maybe 5 years, where some of them start to lose their minds. If that's so, a replacement is the thing to do. Maybe it's time for a sexy new 802.11AC router.
This isn't something I'd try with 3.5 hours to go before an important thing, but it should be on your agenda before replacing the router: Reset the router, so that's one possibility-- you'll want to go into the router and write down your settings first, and then hard reset with a pointy pen or pencil in the back. Press and hold for 10 seconds.
The modem, by the way, is just a router+bridge, to convert your LAN traffic to cable/DSL/fiber/whatever-- it too can fail, but usually lasts a bit longer. Your ISP can help with reset it-- again, not something to do with less than 4 hours before an event that needs it, since stuff can yet go wrong.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:59 AM on April 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
This isn't something I'd try with 3.5 hours to go before an important thing, but it should be on your agenda before replacing the router: Reset the router, so that's one possibility-- you'll want to go into the router and write down your settings first, and then hard reset with a pointy pen or pencil in the back. Press and hold for 10 seconds.
The modem, by the way, is just a router+bridge, to convert your LAN traffic to cable/DSL/fiber/whatever-- it too can fail, but usually lasts a bit longer. Your ISP can help with reset it-- again, not something to do with less than 4 hours before an event that needs it, since stuff can yet go wrong.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:59 AM on April 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
* Some microwave ovens absolutely murder 2.4GHz WiFi signals. Any chance there's an oven in use nearby when this happens?
* On macOS you can try an app such as WiFi Explorer Lite to see what channnels are in use by your neighbors. This can help you pick better channels. Similar apps exist for Windows, Android and iOS.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 1:24 PM on April 28, 2020
* On macOS you can try an app such as WiFi Explorer Lite to see what channnels are in use by your neighbors. This can help you pick better channels. Similar apps exist for Windows, Android and iOS.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 1:24 PM on April 28, 2020
Response by poster: Just did the webinar without my internet crashing out! I used the tip about joining my phone audio- I didn't realize you can do that. Thank you all so much!
posted by quiet coyote at 1:24 PM on April 28, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by quiet coyote at 1:24 PM on April 28, 2020 [6 favorites]
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If that doesn't work: can you use your phone as a hotspot? I know my phone company keeps telling me I have extra data. So maybe test run that and see if it's more stable.
Breathe deeply.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:39 AM on April 28, 2020 [2 favorites]