SSID disappears

[bru]

I have a problem that doesn't seem to be very common. My SSID will disappear. My wireless connection will be fine and then I will see a yellow * on the wireless icon (not the ! of a disconnect) and I am no longer connected. Clicking on the wireless icon brings up numerous Wireless Connections (neighbors) but not mine so I can't reconnect. I have to shut off the wireless switch at the router and when I turn it back on my SSID reappears and then I can connect. It happens maybe once or twice a day.

I thought it was a bad router so I exchanged it (same model) and it happened again. I did find others with the same router with the problem and they think it happens when the router assigns a new IP. But AFAICT my laptop always has the same IP (xxx.xxx.x.x (preferred)).

Could it be my new laptop? But if the wireless card was bad why am I able to see other networks? Interference can cause disconnects but complete disappearance of the SSID from it seems unlikely.

I only have my wireless network listed so no others to clear. I have the wireless adapter set to not turn off power. The router is default except for changing the SSID name.

I am really lost on this.

 

[Parman]

The first thing i would do is check the manufacturers site to see if there is a firmware update. If a lot of people are experiencing the same thing it could be something they fixed with an update.

Also what frequency are you running b/g = 2.4, n=5.0. Lastly what channel are you running.

Could there be interference between channels or frequency? (neighbors access points is running at the same channel, or cordless phones are interfering with the frequency)

 

[alphanumeric]

If it's on the 2.4 GHz band, do you also have any cordless phones on that same band? I had a DIR-615 that would glitch when my cordless phone rang. I would have to power cycle the router to get the wireless working again.

 

[bru]

The first thing i would do is check the manufacturers site to see if there is a firmware update. If a lot of people are experiencing the same thing it could be something they fixed with an update.

It happened on two different routers (same model) with two different firmware files including the most current, so I ruled that out. Not to say it may be corrected with another update but the manufacturer has not acknowledged a problem.

Also what frequency are you running b/g = 2.4, n=5.0. Lastly what channel are you running.

Aren't there plenty of non dual band routers that are N rated? Mine is N rated but is single band, 2.4 GHz. As an aside I am being limited in my wireless connection speed. I've accepted that as a limitation of my wireless card and the crowded wireless in my area.

Channel was set to auto and have since changed it to 11 (I believe 1, 6 and 11 are the best choices). Although if all my neighbors are using those of course there will be conflict...see below.

Could there be interference between channels or frequency? (neighbors access points is running at the same channel, or cordless phones are interfering with the frequency)

No cordless phones on 2.4GHz. You really think interference from a neighbor (highly likely) would cause a complete disappearance of my SSID only?

When it happens I can see five other networks but I can't see mine. It is gone.

I can see interference of some sort causing a disconnect but I have not heard of it causing the SSID to completely disappear.

 

[Parman]

The only way to know for sure would be to have a spectrum analyzer. Other then that..... you signal come.back when u reboot?

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes, there are plenty of 2.4 GHz only Wireless N routers. What make and model Router are you using? You changed the SSID from the default one right?

 

[bru]

It is a Netgear WNR2000v3. It's been fraught with problems as I mentioned. I can't get more than 65Mbps wireless connection (not ISP speed), so it might as well be G. Though I can't be sure if it is the router or my laptop but two different models of the router have been the same in this regard.

But that is not my major concern it is the SSID disappearing. And yes I changed the default SSID. Although judging by the other networks I see most people apparently don't. I see Netgear XX, Belkin XXX, Arris XXX, etc.

 

[alphanumeric]

To get "N" speeds, both ends must support Wireless N. If your PC or Laptop only has a G wireless card, the best you'll do is G. N uses two channels and G only one. I've heard it said that just having 1 G device on your network will make everything run at G only speeds.
I use a free utility called inSIDDer, inSSIDer – Discover The Wi-Fi Around You | MetaGeek
It will give you a nice view of whats going on and whats on what channel(s). It sounds like your Router has issues, maybe interference from another device. My cordless phones would throw my DIR-615's WIFI off when they rang. I ended up replacing the phones with dict 6 phones.
The reason I asked if you changed your SSID was to make sure you weren't using the same SSID as another network. That could cause problems, maybe knocking you both off.

 

[bru]

I only have the N laptop with the N router. The laptop has a cheap wireless card which is single stream so I think the best I could do is 130, but I can't get more than 65Mbps so something is not right.

I installed inSSIDer and also Xirrus Wi-Fi iinspector and both obviously show many neighboring networks. It seems as when I was on ch. 11 interference wasn't too bad but ch.1 seemed even better so I switched to that. Doesn't seem to matter as I still get the disappearance.

I wish I could attribute it to interference but can my SSID only disappear and others still be present due to interference? I think a different router has to be tried to be sure.

Every fairly inexpensive N router I read about has some poor reviews. For my needs (no gaming, no multiple users) I thought something in the N300 category, $30-$50 USD would be the way to go. But if those are problematic I may have to upgrade.

 

[alphanumeric]

Its hard to say why the router craps out, maybe its overheating. I've had a couple of the power adapters pack it in. There is some good info and reviews here. > Real Help For Your Small Network - SmallNetBuilder I've been using D-Link for years but my next router will likely be a Netgear or ASUS. I'm leaning heavily to wards ASUS.