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Error: "Couldn't Authenticate Connection"
I'm running the R8000 and had been running what today is the most recent firmware (1.0.4.74) but based on other threads just rolled back to 1.0.4.46 in hopes of grabbing a pre-Armor version hoping it...
Update:
Reset the router and figured I'd let it update to latest firmware, being I'd be able to reset it again if there were any signs of trouble (V1.0.4.76_10.1.82). Ran for a bit and all seemed well.
Enabled Smart Connect, thinking that once I was ready to start adding IoT devices I'd disable 5.0G SSID but as I started adding 5.0 compatible devices (Google Mini's, etc.) I took a stab at some 2.4G devices and they were adding without issue. I've proceeded to add the remaining devices (all while having Smart Connect enabled - to my amazement), and everything is working, and none of the mobile phones are getting authentication errors.
Appreciate the responses, folks... will stick a fork in this one!
iamfozz wrote:
And the only reason it's an issue is that I need to use a mobile device to connect smart devices to the 2.4G SSID. Otherwise I'd live on the 5G and call it good.
Going back to the original issue, what says "Couldn't Authenticate Connection"?
Is this message from the phone when you are setting up IoT devices? Or always?
It smells like a client issue rather than anything to do with the router.
Most of these connect to 2.4 GHz. Better range and fast enough for most devices.
Of course, they can't see 5 GHz but too many of these come with horribly designed software that won't set up properly if the phone connects to 5 GHz wifi.
Fortunately, the R8000, unlike Orbi and other mesh wifi technologies, lets you turn of the 5GHz SSID broadcasts. You can do that temporarily while you set up IoT toys. Then re-enable it after you've gt things working.
This might be a better option than running separate SSIDs for 2.4 and 5 GHz. Doing that means that you are throwing away some of your router's capabilities and perhaps landing your self with this problem.
It is the phone that says this - and says it most of the time, related to the 2.4g. How or what finally clears up to allow the connection to work is still a mystery but attempting to connect another IoT device is typically met with messing things up all over again, at which point I must wait for the phone and router to play nice again.
I've not had a chance to reset the router yet, so I'll try enabling Smart Connect and then disabling the 5.0 SSID to see if it can be fooled in to connecting. That I should be able to do today.
iamfozz wrote:
It is the phone that says this - and says it most of the time, related to the 2.4g.
I'd investigate the phone as the likely source of the issue.
iamfozz wrote:
.... attempting to connect another IoT device is typically met with messing things up all over again, at which point I must wait for the phone and router to play nice again.
Unfortunately, some IoT things are dumber than most. (You can't say any of them are "intelligent." They crop up here all the time with people blaming their routers for problems. All the poor router does is to puff out the wifi. The kit then has to play ball.
And don't even mention the IoT things that "phone home", usually somewhere in China, prompting messages from people who want to know how to block this behaviour.
Update:
Reset the router and figured I'd let it update to latest firmware, being I'd be able to reset it again if there were any signs of trouble (V1.0.4.76_10.1.82). Ran for a bit and all seemed well.
Enabled Smart Connect, thinking that once I was ready to start adding IoT devices I'd disable 5.0G SSID but as I started adding 5.0 compatible devices (Google Mini's, etc.) I took a stab at some 2.4G devices and they were adding without issue. I've proceeded to add the remaining devices (all while having Smart Connect enabled - to my amazement), and everything is working, and none of the mobile phones are getting authentication errors.
Appreciate the responses, folks... will stick a fork in this one!
Glad you got it working.
Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/19952/How-to-backup-and-restore-the-settings-configured-in-a-router
Enjoy. 📡
