Sony Android TVs Keep Dropping Nest WiFi Ethernet Connections

[davinwv]

I just upgraded a 5-point OnHub / Gen 1 Google WiFi system with a 5-router Nest WiFi system. All other system components mentioned in this post remained the same between the two systems.

My gigabit fiber connection comes into my home via an ONT. The ONT is plugged into the ISP's required Zyxel router in bridge mode. The Zyxel router is plugged into my primary Nest WiFi router. The LAN port from the primary Nest WiFi router is plugged into a TP Link unmanaged switch to distribute connectivity through my house's built-in Ethernet cabling. All 4 of the other Nest WiFi routers (not points) are using wired backhaul through the house / TP Link switch, but were initially set up wirelessly as recommended by Google.

I have Sony Android TVs plugged into the LAN ports on two of the non-primary Nest WiFi routers. These Sony TVs lose Ethernet internet connectivity at least once a day, with only a TV restart and accompanying Nest WiFi router restart sometimes restoring the connection. The on-board network troubleshooter on the Sony Android TVs says that it can find a LAN connection through Ethernet, but not an Internet connection. I have a desktop PC connected via Ethernet directly to a wall plate, and it doesn't seem to lose connection in this way, so I don't think that the TP Link switch is the issue, since the same switch is feeding the desktop.

What can I try to rectify this? I'm loosing patience with rebooting TVs and WiFi mesh points every day. I've also restarted the entire system from the Google Home app, but that didn't help, either. Should I power everything down and power individual things back up by hand in a certain order?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[ChrisAhlund]

This is either an Android issue or Mesh issue. I've tested nine (!) Android TV's with similar issues. 1 Philips with Android 8, four TCL with Android 8 and my new four TCL with Android 11 that replaced my old TCL's. All of these disconnect from Wi-Fi/Ethernet, specially after a while in standby. Lots of people on different forums seems to have this issues with Philips, TCL, Sony, Mii boxes etc. and all of them runs on Android OS. I've talked to Google support, TCL support and TP-Link support (I've got TP-Link Deco X60 Mesh) for over a year without coming anywhere near a solution. Seems like someone could easily acknowledge this issue and start working on a fix. But nobody cares...

[Jhonleanmel]

Hey folks,

Thanks for posting and I'm sorry that you're experiencing this issue with your Android TVs ― lets see what's going on.

A quick question: Are other devices also experiencing this issue other than smart TVs?

Make sure that your TVs' software is updated. Also could you try to forget the network on your TV and reconnect back to refresh the connection.

Also, a new firmware release is going out now to the WiFi routers and points. You won't need to do anything to receive the update and it will install automatically once it's available for your hardware. Over the next 1-2 weeks the update will be pushed out to all users. There are a variety of performance updates and bug fixes in the release, so I'm hoping this clears up the issues you're seeing here. Let me know if you have any questions about the update.

Thanks,
Mel

[ChrisAhlund]

Hi Mel! Sorry for the harsh tone but this issue is starting to get really frustrating. For me it's only the Android TV's that has these issues and they are all updated. Forget network didn't help. The only thing that "fixed" the issue on my Philips Android 8 TV is to sideload and install a wakelock APK that keeps the Wi-Fi and Processor ON all the time, even on standby. But that APP isn't compatible with Android 9 and higher.

[davinwv]

Enabling "Simple IP Control" on my TVs as @Arctic_Hare suggests above fixed the issue for me months ago. I know that this is still a "workaround" as far as energy consumption goes, but it is transparent fix from a user experience perspective.

[Jhonleanmel]

Hey folks,

@davinwv, thanks for the helpful response.

@ChrisAhlund, I'm sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and I understand that this has been frustrating for you. Could you try to enable the Simple IP Control on your TVs as suggested above.

Keep us posted.

Thanks,

Mel

[ChrisAhlund]

Sorry, but I think I misunderstood the opening post. I have Philips and TCL with no Simple IP Control option.

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi ChrisAhlund,

Thanks for getting back to us and for the added details.

There is a new firmware release going out now to the WiFi routers and points. You won't need to do anything to receive the update and it will install automatically once it's available for your hardware. Over the next 2-3 weeks the update will be pushed out to all users. There are a variety of performance updates and bug fixes in the release, so I'm hoping this clears up the issues you're seeing here. Let me know if you have any questions about the update.

Thanks,
Mel

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi ChrisAhlund,

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,
Mel

[ChrisAhlund]

I'm testing some stuff with TP-Link support right now. I'll contact you guys if I need help later on 🙂

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi ChrisAhlund,

Thanks for letting us know. Take your time, I'll be waiting for your update.

Best,
Mel

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi ChrisAhlund,

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,
Mel

[ChrisAhlund]

Well the issue isn't sorted out yet but it seems like the TCL TV's holding the connection when connected through ethernet, for bow. But not my Philips TV with Android 8 (but i fixed the Wi-Fi issue with a wakelock app). I've reached out before on connectivity issues between Wi-Fi and Android TV's from all sorts if brands and these cases are all over the internet but no company seems to have a clue (or time/priority) to really take care of it.

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi ChrisAhlund,

Thanks for letting us know. It's good that your TVs are able to connect to your network through the Wakelock app ― we appreciate this workaround.

If you're still in need of any assistance, feel free to let us know.

Best,
Mel

[ChrisAhlund]

Well like I said, the app doesn't work on Android 9 TV's and above due to some new restrictions for battery consumption or something in an firmware update on the Android OS according to the developer. Couldn't you guys release an update so that Android TV's don't go into "deep sleep" and loses the wi-fi connection? Or at least allow workarounds like this wakelock app so that the functions of the TV is working as expected.

[Jhonleanmel]

Hey MattV,

We appreciate your interest however, we don't have any news to share about an always-on feature when connected to your Google Nest Wifi network. We're always looking for ways to improve and we'll take it as feedback.

I also suggest that you send feedback by following this link. Let me know if you have other questions or concerns, otherwise I’ll be locking this thread after 24 hours. 

Best,

Mel