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Forum Discussion
Guest WiFi briefly disconnects every 22 sec
My work Dell notebook periodically (every 22 sec) briefly disconnects from (and then immediately reconnects to) the guest WiFi network. This does not happen on the same router's regular WiFi network....
Answers:
- The NG router is connected to AT&T's modem/router combo BGW320-500 that I put into the "IP Passthrough / DHCP-fixed" mode. Both radios (2.4 / 5 GHz) are disabled.
- Is this the only device that does this? - yes, only my work Dell Windows 10 notebook is affected.
- Ensure the devices wifi adapter drivers are up to date - yes, I've just installed all "recommended" and "urgent" updates from Dell, not just for wifi adapter but all drivers. That hasn't fixed the issue.
- Is the guest network SSID name unique and different from the main SSID name? - yes, not only guest and main SSIDs names are different, but all 3 radio bands SSIDs have unique names. Altogether, 6 different names.
- As a quick test, disable Security on the Guest Network and connect the device up, does it change the behavior any? - No. This didn't help.
- Is SIP ALG disabled or enabled on the router? - Enabled. I've temporarily disabled SIP ALG but that hasn't fixed the issue, so I enabled it back.
Sounds like this adapter on this particular PC maybe bad. Even if you tested it with wifi security disabled and no other devices see this problem. I would refer you to the Mfr of this device for there support and information regarding it. Check to see if there is support options for this.
You undoubtedly heard about the Turing test in which "player C, the interrogator, is given the task of trying to determine which player – A or B – is a computer and which is a human."
So, how does my computer (or its network adapter) play "guest network test"? How does it distinguish whether it is connected to a guest network or to a regular network on the same router? What "test questions" does it ask every 22 seconds to tell one from the other?
Remember that my computer misbehaves only on the guest network.
And if this is the only device that doesn't work well while others do, still points to this particular device.
I've tracked the problem to the router's guest network setting "Allow guests to see each other and access my local network". When it's "on", I have no problems. When it's "off", I have problems described in the OP.
And yes, it's just one particular computer. Why it is acting out depending on this network setting is beyond me.
