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Forum Discussion
SnowMiser
Oct 04, 2022Aspirant
Nighthawk X6 Router - New Devices Need To Be Next To Router for Initial Set-up/Connection to WiFi
The Nighthawk wireless works fine, after devices make the initial connection. However, in order to connect a wireless device (phone, tablets etc), the device needs to be within 10 feet of the router ...
SnowMiser
Oct 05, 2022Aspirant
Using a Nighthawk X6 Model R8000, AC3200
Answers:
In your user configuration, do your have Smart Connect enabled? Smart Connect is NOT enabled
Do you have separate SSIDs for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band? Yes, each band has a different SSID
What material is used to make the walls of your equipment closet? Closet wall is 1/4 drywall, but the router is now outside of the closet, above the closet door, in the main hallway with zero interference.
Thanks
Kitsap
Oct 05, 2022Master
SnowMiser wrote:Using a Nighthawk X6 Model R8000, AC3200
Answers:
In your user configuration, do your have Smart Connect enabled? Smart Connect is NOT enabled
Do you have separate SSIDs for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band? Yes, each band has a different SSID
What material is used to make the walls of your equipment closet? Closet wall is 1/4 drywall, but the router is now outside of the closet, above the closet door, in the main hallway with zero interference.
Thanks
In the advanced wireless setup, disable the auto channel option for each band and manually select channel 6 for the 2.4 GHz band and channel 44 for the 5 GHz band.
The auto channel selection process can often get into a loop with various devices trying to connect to the Wi-Fi and select a channel.
Do you have any sources of RF interference in the area you are operating your Wi-Fi? These sources could be cordless phones, microwave ovens, other Wi-Fi routers or gateways?
In the same advanced wireless setup screen, recommend you disable 20/40 MHz coexistence.
- SnowMiserOct 05, 2022Aspirant
Hi - auto channel selection was already off; was set to 8 for 2.4 and 44 for 5g. I switched it to 6/44.
Microwave/kitchen is on other side of house, several walls in between.
No cordless phones.
Another router acting as bridge is upstairs, opposite corner of the house. Did not have an issue with this setup with the previous router that the Nighthawk replaced, so I am leaning towards the Nighthawk/settings being the issue. I just do not know what else to tweak. I will attempt to link a new device later and let you know. Thanks
- KitsapOct 05, 2022Master
SnowMiser wrote:Hi - auto channel selection was already off; was set to 8 for 2.4 and 44 for 5g. I switched it to 6/44.
Microwave/kitchen is on other side of house, several walls in between.
No cordless phones.
Another router acting as bridge is upstairs, opposite corner of the house. Did not have an issue with this setup with the previous router that the Nighthawk replaced, so I am leaning towards the Nighthawk/settings being the issue. I just do not know what else to tweak. I will attempt to link a new device later and let you know. Thanks
A couple of thoughts. If you have access to an Android phone or tablet, there is an application on the Playstore called WiFiAnalyzer. When installed and connected to your local Wi-Fi network it will give you a good view of the radio frequency environment you are operating in. Such as signal strength, SSID, channel number, etc. Maybe signals from other devices in your home or from close by neighbors. There is nothing similar in the iOS world I am aware of.
Your installed firmware is the most current for your device, there is a remote chance it was corrupted during the install. You could download a fresh copy and manually re-flash the same version over the top of what is currently installed. By manually, I mean using a web browser on a computer connected to the router via an Ethernet cable.
Have you physically checked the connections to your antennas? Maybe one is loose or cross threaded?
- FURRYe38Oct 05, 2022Guru - Experienced User
FYI, antennas on the router are fold up/down on top of the router case. No antennas that have the screw in port on this model router.