Database Users

Wireless is connected but gray and nothing works! Any solution/permanent fix?

I've seen some chatter about this buried in other threads, but I wasn't able to locate a dedicated thread...so if there is one, sorry about a duplicate post.
So I have a Nexus 7 and a Galaxy Nexus phone and both have this issue. The issue has occurred in multiple environments with multiple routers/networks.
Basically, the wireless on the N7 and both the wireless & cell on the Galaxy Nexus go gray but show as connected with a strong signal. However, there is no IP traffic being routed. The devices have an IP address, and show correct DNS and default route locations and the wireless symbols even show data moving (the little bidirectional arrow deal) but nothing actually happens on the device.
Some have said this means you are not connected to Google's services like Gmail and what-not, but that isn't the case either as you can't ping from the device nor can you go to any websites in the browser, get new mail, get web data for other web enabled apps, or in the case of the phone, get text messages or phone calls.
The only *fix* I've found is to turn off wireless, wait a minute, and turn it back on. This can be really annoying when you have to do it 5-10 times a day on the tablet and it really sucks when you find you miss calls, texts and emails on the phone.
I notice this has never occurred with any of my other Android based devices or iOS devices. This would lead one to believe it has something to do with Jelly Bean and perhaps some background task crashing or something.
Does anyone else experience this? If it were just my phone or just the N7 I would think I had a defective device, but since they both display similar behaviors at different times with different routers on completely different networks, it seems more software related since the only thing in common is that they are both Android 4.1.x devices (it happened on 4.1.1 and now 4.1.2).
I would love to know if there is a real fix for this somewhere!

I fixed mine by getting a new Netgear router...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

rmm200 said:
I fixed mine by getting a new Netgear router...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, it happens with multiple routers from the lowly Linksys to Netgear to D-Link to Checkpoint and several more. This is NOT a router issue.

I was having to power off my Linksys router several times a day to allow dropped devices to reconnect again. What happens when you power cycle your router?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

What router settings and security method are you using? WEP, WPA? try changing the channels on your router or something

From what I experienced, it is connected to the router but somehow the router has lost net connection. Rebooting DSL modem fixes it for me. I have DSL connection here in Philippines, the telco provided a zyxel dsl modem. From the DSL modem I have Tomato flashed router. Rebooting the DLS modem fixes without rebooting router or the n7. In N7 from gray it turns blue and i can see the up / down arrows, net access is working.

I get the impression that my request/question was too long as it seems people are not really reading. Either that or they are not getting it because they either never experienced the problem, or because they don't take their N7 around like I do so they think it's connected to their home router.
This problem happens at about 8 different sites. Every site has a different router and a different internet connection from DSL to cable to T1.
This problem happens with both my N7 & my Galaxy Nexus and not at the same time at the same site.
I do appreciate people trying to help, but this clearly isn't a router issue but rather it is an Android issue. Focusing on the router really isn't helpful because there is nothing in common. Even the encryption varies from open networks like at a coffee shop, to WEP (yeah...seriously) to WPA to WPA2.

[Q] Nexus 4 Wi-Fi issues.

First - Hi all, long time reader but this is the first time I've needed to start a thread - so sorry about my first post being a problem/Q!
I've not had my Nexus 4 long, but have got some pretty annoying Wi-Fi issues. I've searched for answers but it seems that people have different Wi-Fi problems and I just wanted to see whether my issue was a common one and, if so, is there a fix on the horizon?
My issue is that I can connect to some routers but not to others (work, home, most open networks)... when I connect it simply says "saved, secured with WPA/WPA2" but wont then connect.
Phones running stock 4.2.1 with franco kernel r28 and the things I have tried are:
Resetting routers
Assigning static IP address
Wi-Fi direct from my Nexus 7
Cleared cache from recovery
changed the Wi-Fi band from 'Auto' to 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz
Flashed new kernel
Very frustrating and because of my signal the lack of Wi-Fi has made me go back to my old phone while I wait for a fix... which connects perfectly to the networks (S3 running CM 10.1)
Is this a 4.2.1 issue - as seems to be the consensus with other Wi-Fi issues or possibly a hardware issue?
Thanks for any info!

There's one fix you've not tried which might work for you (it didn't for me). You would have to be rooted though, which is going to system/etc/dhcpcd and changing the permission on dhcpcd-run-hooks to read and execute from "others". This help some people out but turns out for me that my router isn't compatible with my phone. (DSL-2780).

I've noticed that some of the mobile devices(eg iPhone 3gs, SGS2) are quite sensitive to wireless channel which your router/ap broadcast on.
Try manually switch to channel 6 or 8 that solved my issue - I don't believe in incompatible routers usually problems are related to config.
It is more complicated with an access to the public WiFi as you can not modify the setup.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

paulrawr said:
There's one fix you've not tried which might work for you (it didn't for me). You would have to be rooted though, which is going to system/etc/dhcpcd and changing the permission on dhcpcd-run-hooks to read and execute from "others". This help some people out but turns out for me that my router isn't compatible with my phone. (DSL-2780).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks for this I will give it a go and let you know.
sirbagin said:
I've noticed that some of the mobile devices(eg iPhone 3gs, SGS2) are quite sensitive to wireless channel which your router/ap broadcast on.
Try manually switch to channel 6 or 8 that solved my issue - I don't believe in incompatible routers usually problems are related to config.
It is more complicated with an access to the public WiFi as you can not modify the setup.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried this on the routers which I am able to change the channel of and it didn't change anything.

paulrawr said:
There's one fix you've not tried which might work for you (it didn't for me). You would have to be rooted though, which is going to system/etc/dhcpcd and changing the permission on dhcpcd-run-hooks to read and execute from "others". This help some people out but turns out for me that my router isn't compatible with my phone. (DSL-2780).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to update.
I've now tried this and still can't connect to the affected Wi-Fi networks, probably going to have to wait for 4.2.2 to see if that fixes it...

I had troubles connecting to my wifi network here in my house, which worked pretty good with my galaxy nexus, what i did and worked was deactivating the option "avoid poor connections" in wifi advanced settings, you should give this a try

Fixed it for me
Chad_Petree said:
I had troubles connecting to my wifi network here in my house, which worked pretty good with my galaxy nexus, what i did and worked was deactivating the option "avoid poor connections" in wifi advanced settings, you should give this a try
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Thanks Chad, it was driving me crazy the constant data drops I had when trying to listen to streamed audio in XiiaLive Pro. Which worked flawlessly with my old HTC Desire.
Did as you said, and perfect now.

sandozer said:
Thanks Chad, it was driving me crazy the constant data drops I had when trying to listen to streamed audio in XiiaLive Pro. Which worked flawlessly with my old HTC Desire.
Did as you said, and perfect now.
Click to expand...
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Glad I could help
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I too have wifi issues with my N4. We have several phones at home - an HTC Aria and believe it or not the SGS1, SGS2 and SGS3!
All of them connect with no problems. My brand new N4 will see the router but refuses to connect until I toggle wifi on/of serveral times in succession, sometimes 6-8 times!
I have avoid poor wifi disabled but it does not help
I really hope El Goog fixes this asap as it is very frustrating.

I've had this issue forever. Android phones hate low or overcrowded signal. Though my nexus 7 always works fine. Makes me think it is the lack of WiFi antenna strength
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Its a 4.2.1 issue
http://androidheadlines.com/2013/02/nexus-users-reporting-wifi-problems-on-android-4-2.html
NeXus⁴ using XDA Premium

Nope, i have a 4.2.2 and its same think

i have a problem in my nexus 4 wifi ... it don't connect automatically to wifi network ,, i have to turn wifi off and turn it on to connect !!! any solution ??

Nexus 4 ruins my home wi-fi !?

Every time i connect nexus 4 to my home wi-fi. Every other device gets terrible connection speed... Before nexus 4 my Nexus 7 had steady speeds up to 20mbps. With nexus 4 connected speeds go down to 5-3 mbps and even when i disconnect n4 from my home wi-fi router still acts really strange and i have to reboot it. Anybody experienced anything like that?

skyrocket727 said:
Every time i connect nexus 4 to my home wi-fi. Every other device gets terrible connection speed... Before nexus 4 my Nexus 7 had steady speeds up to 20mbps. With nexus 4 connected speeds go down to 5-3 mbps and even when i disconnect n4 from my home wi-fi router still acts really strange and i have to reboot it. Anybody experienced anything like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have three desktop computers, an iPad, an iPod, a Roku unit, and two smartphones sharing the same wifi signal. My speeds don't seem to vary any regardless of the number of devices sharing it at any given time. I would have to call my service provider if I found myself in your situation.

Buddy3927 said:
I have three desktop computers, an iPad, an iPod, a Roku unit, and two smartphones sharing the same wifi signal. My speeds don't seem to vary any regardless of the number of devices sharing it at any given time. I would have to call my service provider if I found myself in your situation.
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Click to collapse
Yep, same.
To the op, I'd say either reboot the router (which you probably have done) and / or see if there's a firmware update for the router.
If no cure, call your internet provider.

Ok.. Forgot to mentioned that n4 also loses wifi connection from time to time.
Seems like im not the only one.. People post similar problems.
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=40065

my nexus has never dropped wifi connection to any router you may have hardware issues..

skyrocket727 said:
Ok.. Forgot to mentioned that n4 also loses wifi connection from time to time.
Seems like im not the only one.. People post similar problems.
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=40065
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have seen this before. It happens in mixed networks (old B laptop used to crash the WiFi AP when G clients were also connected).
1) Check for a firmware update to your router. This is most likely where your issue is. The router speed should drop and increase as needed, but buggy firmware may only keep in last slowest speed until a reboot.
2) Mixed encryption (WPA & WPA2) is a nightmare Force "WPA2 only with AES only" -or- "WPA only with TKIP only". Some clients may try to use WPA with AES and this was what was crashing my AP at the time.
3) If you still have issues, try using "G&N" only, or even force G only. Some older G clients don't hear N traffic, so they just transmit on top of it.
4) Last resort, look for a used router that can run DD-WRT firmware. Personally, I will never go back to OEM router firmware.
Hope this helps...

i used Wi-Fi Analyzer and it showed 2 really strong signals on the same channel.. one being mine and the other someone's else. i manually changed it from 11 to channel 5 and everything back to normal/// 20mbps just like before!

skyrocket727 said:
i used Wi-Fi Analyzer and it showed 2 really strong signals on the same channel.. one being mine and the other someone's else. i manually changed it from 11 to channel 5 and everything back to normal/// 20mbps just like before!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess your neighbour will be pleased too !:laugh:

Hi every one. I just got my N4 last week and i experiense the exact same thing!!!!
this is realy bad because every time i use the wireless network every body in the house starts complaining because my N4 shuts down all connections here.
It works alright with the main router wich is a thomson. but it fails with the other two routers (that are Belkin - N) that are only access points!
I realy want this fixed because not having internet at home is quite bad!

WiFi disconnects often?

I'm really happy with the phone so far, but my wifi disconnects fairly regularly and I keep getting a force close on the SMCC Process (whatever that is). Anyone else having problems?

I just read the thread below this and that issue seems similar.
EDIT: I tried turning off the smart wifi, but it still loses connection. The phone still shows that it's connected to whatever wifi signal, but stops downloading. This happens both at home and at work, so I don't believe it's related to the router itself.

I'm seeing the same issue on mine as well. Noticed it last night playing Pandora via wifi. Would play like 3 songs then nothing. I would have to toggle wifi on/off to get Pandora playing again.

jfugate15 said:
I'm seeing the same issue on mine as well. Noticed it last night playing Pandora via wifi. Would play like 3 songs then nothing. I would have to toggle wifi on/off to get Pandora playing again.
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Sounds like basically the same thing. If I wait long enough, it comes back on its own, but it's faster to just cycle wifi or airplane mode once. It's fairly frustrating, and I even found myself just using 3G to do things last night instead of Wifi.

seems to be a known issue in other S4 forums:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2254568&page=2

Mixed Mode WIFI
I had this exact same problem with my EVO 4G LTE, the problem was the mixed mode WIFI. (B,G,N). On the EVO it turned out to be an easy fix because there was a setting in the WIFI menu to force either B or G. As soon as I selected one mode I had a solid internet connection. The problem here is there does not seem to be an option in the S4 settings to allow this. I have been trying to force single mode on my router to see if that will fix it but my router will not allow me to turn it off either. Pretty serious bug I would say.

WIFI worthless on brand new S4
If you are having issues with this you might want to check this thread out!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2253471&page=3

it doesn't do it as often as it did with the SGS3 though

I really wish I could find a resolution to this. I'm thinking of wiping my phone and starting over to make sure it isn't an app issue, but man that's a lot of work.

Im having the same issue as well.. Im almost positive its common issue and i would expect it to be addressed in the next OTA

The common link seems to be DLink router. We have a Cisco Linksys router and it stays hooked up solid on that.

I have an Asus router. Don't know if there are usually problems with those or not, but I haven't had any prior issues.

I have a Cisco e4200 stock and a Asus running ddwrt operating as a wireless bridge to extend my network. I had to turn off mixed mode on both devices to resolve the issue. Hope that helps.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk HD

I have the same problem but I have Netgear routers. The one at my house works fine, but at my other location. The wifi drops.

Same problem on dlink

Adding my 2 cents because I have 2 S4's that I've been testing with and I'm getting mixed results... my first post here so I hope I'm doing this right!
I have 2 wireless routers at home:
- DLink DIR-655
- One provided by my ISP (Bell Canada; not sure of the model at the moment)
The DIR-655 is troublesome for BOTH S4 devices; they stay connected for a few minutes (or longer in some cases) but will always end up not transferring data even though they show as having a very strong signal. Turning wifi on/off always fixes the issue for a short period of time.
Knowing that there seem to be compatibility issues with the S4 and DLink router, I switched them both over to the Bell router. Now only one of the devices has the wifi issue described above.
I found it odd that changing the router being used fixed the issue for one of the devices but not the other. I'm now questioning whether one device has a hardware issue or not (doubtful on this, but worth questioning).
Both S4's have the most up-to-date firmware as do all of the routers in the house. No other devices (iPhones, laptops, apple tv, etc...) have any issues with the wifi.
I've tried resetting the routers, forgetting the wifi connection and setting it back up, rebooting the phone, smashing my head against the wall; nothing seems to have worked permanently.
Is it possible that this is a hardware issue and not a software issue? Has anyone else had similar results with multiple devices?

fix....?
this wifi drops are due to the router WIFI signal setting. it will drop it you are using a B/G Mixed signal/ B/G/N Mixed signal. i recommend setting it on 802.11 g. or, if all your Devices in the house have N use N since it has more bandwidth. i use G because of the PS3
Hope this helps resolve the issue for you guys, it sure did for me.

Yurijoejoe said:
this wifi drops are due to the router WIFI signal setting. it will drop it you are using a B/G Mixed signal/ B/G/N Mixed signal. i recommend setting it on 802.11 g. or, if all your Devices in the house have N use N since it has more bandwidth. i use G because of the PS3
Hope this helps resolve the issue for you guys, it sure did for me.
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Thanks for the suggestion, I can attest that this wasn't a permanent solution for me. After switching to N mode only, the amount of times the issue occurred was reduced, but still happens at least once per day.
It's also a pain when I'm connected to networks where I have no control over the wireless settings (work, public networks, friends networks).

I have a linksys modem and router. Haven't had a single connection issue with this phone as I had with my EVO. As my wifi disconnects and reconnects right away. Lol. First time that has happened. Knocked on wood.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

I find it disconnects much less often than the sgs3, but still occasionally disconnects
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

horrible WiFi strength ruining Nexus 10

Can anyone confirm or not if the crap WiFi strength on nexus 10s is an acknowledged fact? I have seen some say it is, yet still see other comments praising the devices WiFi saying it is stronger than ipones etc.
This is my second N10, I sent the first back due to WiFi performance and I believed it to be defective. My second devices arrival has suggested otherwise as I have noticed no improvement.... Am I just really unlucky?
On my home network, every other device has ho WiFi issues, but my n10 struggles! It seems to sho a decent signal strength in the WiFilist in settings, but a low strength in the top right corner.... Can anyone advise? I get similar strength issues on other networks (public and at friends houses. SO frustrating not being able to perform one of the most basic functions on a £300+ device). Was hoping 4.3/4 upgrades would help- nothing.
Should I get a third nexus sent out? Is this down to poor quality components? Anyone having same issues?
Thanks!

Hard to generalize, but mine has been rock-solid (on 4.3; I'm holding off on "upgrading" to 4.4). Seems to give faster throughput than my N7

My N10 seems to be at par or a bit better than my better halfs Ipad. Taking both tablets and going for a walk out in back (acreage), in the outbuildings, and near fences, the signal strength and ability to connect to my router and see other routers was actually a touch better with the N10.
When first getting the N10, it did seem to drop the wifi signal, but replacing the el cheapo several year old router with a newer medium price router cured that issue.

The Google Nexus 10 as well as the Amazon Kindle HDX are two of the few devices that actually support MIMO (multiple input multiple output) wireless.
This typically allows for very solid and swift wireless performance.
I suspect that software updates may have had some impact on the Wireless functionality of the Nexus 10, but that is also in combination with some types of access points, so it varies to each customer.
Some places I get really terrible wireless, but at both my work and at home, it performs extremely well.
Hopefully a future KitKat patch will address the wireless more. I notice that new binaries are included in KitKat pertaining to both wireless and Bluetooth for the N10.

Hello, I just became an owner of a Nexus 10. when I first time connect to my BSNL Teracom wifi router it is not connected. it is always showing connecting or obtaining IP address...
It connected through my S3 Hotspot but not through teracom router
I wake up in the morning and just press again the connect button. Bingo...it is connected..!!! Not understand why it is behaving like this. I am not done any changes in routers settings also. Is it not connecting b'coz the routers frequency mismatch or anything else ?? After once I switch off and on the router the same problem happens
all my phones including a Samsung s3, tab neo and also my laptop all are switches automatically connected to the wifi router.
Please help.
thanks in advance.
Triggered from SCH-r530u using Tapatalk

Yup... Crap WiFi on my nexus 10 too. Just randomly disconnects or is so slow that its unusable for streaming movies... I own a ton of android devices and this is the only one that gives me problems. When I turn it on, I just hope it stays connected. Let's hope this post goes through lol
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

chefdave12118 said:
Yup... Crap WiFi on my nexus 10 too. Just randomly disconnects or is so slow that its unusable for streaming movies... I own a ton of android devices and this is the only one that gives me problems. When I turn it on, I just hope it stays connected. Let's hope this post goes through lol
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Mine pulls 40mb out of a n wifi connection.. the main connection is only 50 -55 on average. I'd say its the best performing wifi device I own.

I have owned my N10 for over a year. The WIFI signal strength is good, but I often get some lag issues, which ended up being my router. When I have issues, I now reset my modem and everything works again. I have read that some people only have a 2.4GHz modem, and they have received better luck by limiting WIFI to that frequency only.