Resolving Repeated Device Disconnections by Adjusting Your Router
This article is part of the Floodlight Camera Support series, for more on Floodlight Camera, please visit Floodlight Camera Support.
Learn how to address the issue of devices frequently going offline by modifying your router settings.
Typically, repeated disconnections are related to poor Wi-Fi connectivity, which can be caused by signal fluctuations, channel congestion, or data loss. In rare instances, certain router settings may also contribute to this problem.
Warning
The solutions outlined in this article involve advanced features of your Wi-Fi router. Please ensure you are comfortable using these features before attempting any of the suggested solutions.
Things to Check
1. Check for Low Upload Speeds
To determine if the problem is related to insufficient upload speed, perform a speed test to see if your network can support Onforu devices. Devices with 2K video require a minimum upload and download speed of 1 Mbps, though 2 Mbps is recommended for optimal performance.
2. Check for Poor Signal Strength
A weak Wi-Fi signal can lead to unreliable connections with your Onforu device. To assess the Wi-Fi signal strength, follow these steps:
- Open the Onforu app.
- Locate the device you wish to inspect in the list.
- Power on the device.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner.
- Select “Check Device Network.”
There are three colors indicating signal quality: green (good), amber (poor), and red (very poor).
Tips for Improving Your Wi-Fi Performance
1. Router Reboot
If your networking equipment hasn't been restarted for a while, unplug it for 30 seconds and then plug it back in.
2. Adjust Your Router Channel
Wireless networks communicate over various channels. In the United States, the 2.4 GHz band uses channels 1-11, while in some other countries it operates on channels 1-13. The 5 GHz band uses channels 36-165 for indoor devices. Interference or congestion can lead to setup failures for your Onforu devices.
If you receive a message indicating that the network cannot be found or is too far away while trying to connect to the 2.4 GHz frequency, consider switching your router’s channel to 1, 6, or 11, as these do not overlap with others. Ensure that your device is compatible with the 5 GHz network. You may also try connecting to a 2.4 GHz network first and then switching to a 5 GHz network.
Rename your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks to easily distinguish between them. Using a Wi-Fi analyzer app on Android devices or the router interface can help identify congested channels, especially when you experience setup issues, poor audio/video quality, or delays in notifications.
3. Adjust Your DHCP Lease Time
Most home routers have a lease time of 8-24 hours. Every time the lease renews, your devices might be assigned a different IP address, causing temporary disconnections. To prevent this, consider setting a longer lease time, assigning a reserved IP address to the device, or configuring a static IP.
4. Change the Encryption Type to WPA2
While Onforu devices support WPA, WEP, and WPA2 security protocols, it is highly recommended to use WPA2 for maximum security and compatibility. WEP is the oldest and least secure option and is not recommended for Onforu devices.
5. Check Your SSID
Examine the SSID (name) of your network. If it contains special characters or spaces before or after the name, consider renaming it to something simpler, as unusual characters may cause issues during setup.
Quick Tip: Write down your password and keep it in a safe place.
When changing the encryption type, be aware that all other wireless devices will need to reconnect to the network using the new SSID and password.
By following these steps, you should be able to reduce the occurrences of devices going offline and enhance the overall performance of your network.