Google WiFi connectivity

[FC360]

So our Google WiFi has decided to connect when it pleases.

Phantom wireless backouts for no reason for a couple of weeks now. Today's bit of nonsense? Google WiFi unilaterally decided to not let ANY wireless device connect. For no apparent reason. Put up a Ping test from a WifI based PC and battled this device until, get this, it started allowing connections after I accessed it through the Google Home app from a cell phone and forced it to perform a speed test. Alakazam, Goofle WiFi allows the PC to connect.

There are ZERO problem with any device on the physical ethernet network which reliably and accurately tells me my WAN connection is fine.

Can someone explain to me how a speed test makes a WiFi device start accepting connections? Explain it to me like I have 30 years of IT experience. The mention of reboot or reset which have been done multiple times over the past two weeks will be completely ignored.

This product is simply awful.

[BudsSpud]

I have Nest Wifi with 2 pucks and have had to hard boot both pucks intermittently for about the past 6 weeks.  Haven't tried a speed test instead yet.  The current router and puck software have not been updated in 12 months.  I give Google another 6 months or until the Nest Pro stabilizes, whichever comes first, before it puts this product at end of life, and hopefully at least offers trade-ins since the hardware looks essentially the same.

[ovidioj]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for posting in the community. 
I appreciate the detailed information about the persistent Wi-Fi disconnection issues. I know how difficult it is to handle this issue since the internet is useful nowadays. Let me help you. 

Please provide me with the following information: 

• How many points do you have? 
• What’s the color of the light on the parent point? Does the device LED switch from orange to teal (or white) continuously?
• Is there a switch on the network?
• How far are the WiFi points from each other?
• Do you use a modem and router combo?
• Who is your Internet service provider? 

While I gather more information, you can try the following steps: 

1. Check network load and interference.
   Too many devices? Disconnect unused devices to reduce congestion.
2. Interference? Move your Nest WiFi devices away from other electronics that might interfere with the signal.
3. Change DNS: Modifying DNS settings can sometimes improve connectivity. You can follow the steps on this link to How to change DNS.

Please let me know how it goes. Thank you. 

Regards, 
Jorge

[FC360]

provide me with the following information: 

• How many points do you have?  3
• What’s the color of the light on the parent point? White
• Does the device LED switch from orange to teal (or white) continuously? No
• Is there a switch on the network? Yes, not that it should matter
• How far are the WiFi points from each other? 100ft
• Do you use a modem and router combo? No
• Who is your Internet service provider? Comcast

[ovidioj]

Hello @FC360,

Thanks for your reply. 
I appreciate the information you have shared.
It is possible that you are having disconnections issues since your points are far away from each other. Keep in mind that each Google WiFi is designed to cover 1-2 rooms; as you mentioned that it was covered 100 feet, that is a big distance to cover for each device. To test the signal between devices, follow these steps:

• Open the Google Home app.
• Tap the WiFi space.
• Then, select the WiFi points.
• Select Test mesh.
• The results will show the connections of all their Nest WiFi or Google WiFi points. If one or more has a weak connection, the app will tell them.

Please make sure your modem is working as a modem only; it might be working as a modem/router combo and you are experiencing Double NAT issues. In this case, you should contact your Internet service provider to set your modem in bridge mode. 

You should also try changing your password by following the next steps: 

1. Open the Home app.
2. Tap Favorites.
3. Tap WiFi.
4. Tap Network Settings.
5. Enter a new network password. Click the eye icon to check if the password appears in plain text.
6. Tap Save.

Please follow the steps above; let me know how it goes. Thank you. 

All the best, 
Jorge

[FC360]

Absolutely none of this. My apologies on distance. It’s 25ft. Not that it matters, they are both wired, not repeaters. Mesh tests always pass without a problem. There is no double NAT. 

What I have discovered is if I unplug two of the three pucks, everything works fine, even if stretched. 

[ovidioj]

Hello @FC360,

Thanks for your reply.
I appreciate the additional information you shared. 
It's helpful to know that the issue is resolved when you unplug two of the three Google WiFi points. This suggests that there might be a hardware-related problem with one of the points or a network congestion issue. 

• Isolate the problem: Try disconnecting each Google WiFi point individually to identify which one might be causing the issue.
• Check for Hardware Issues: Inspect the problematic Google WiFi point for any physical damage or loose connections.
• Network Congestion: If the issue persists even after isolating a faulty point, your network might be experiencing congestion. Try reducing the number of devices connected to the network or adding more Google WiFi points for better coverage.
• Try changing DNS: Changing these settings from the Google Home app may fix the issue. You can follow the steps in this link: Change your DNS.

Please follow the steps above; let me know how it goes. Thank you. 

Regards,
Jorge

[FC360]

whew

Isolate the problem. Both disconnected devices cause the problem if either is plugged in. 

Simple stuff like looking to see if it is still sitting undisturbed and plugging the cable that was in a puck for a ping test has been done.

Network congestion… you are suggesting that when I have three pucks plugged in, there is some congestion bad enough to choke 3 pucks, but one puck plugged by itself can handle the entire load of the same devices by itself within the same environment. I’m afraid someone is going to have to explain how 1 puck can handle the load and three can’t.

Many DNS have been tried including 8.8.8.8, 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, and the ISPs provided domain name services. My local Windows Server DNS that updates from root servers has been tried as well. 

sigh

[moralesvicente]

Hey FC360, 

The team would like to learn more about this behavior. Please complete this form as soon as possible and inform me when you've finished. From there, a dedicated specialist will reach out to you via email. 

Best regards,
Daniel 

[moralesvicente]

Hey FC360, 

Hello again, we haven’t seen your form submission come through - were you able to access it alright? Let us know if you’re running into trouble or still need our help!

Regards,

Daniel