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Question

Bizarre router / WiFi problem

May 23, 2017 10:35AM PDT

We are having a frustrating problem with our WiFi and I am hoping to get some guidance. Our router is an Asus RT-AC1900 and we have fiber optic ISP through Jaguar Communications.

The WiFi works beautifully as long as the modem is not connected to our PC (Windows 10) desktop. When the modem is connected to this particular desktop, the WiFi shuts down completely. Of note, this set up worked perfectly for 6 months before this problem started with no obvious changes to the set up.

We have connected to another PC laptop and a Microsoft Surface Pro and these devices do not have the same effect; the WiFi continues to work fine with normal speeds when these are connected, suggesting that there is something in this particular desktop screwing things up.

We have spent countless hours on the phone with our ISP, Asus customer service, and even our Sonos guy, but have come up empty. Googling the problem didn't lead to a solution, either.>

I am suspicious for some malware or virus on this desktop, though I've scanned it multiple times with updated scanners and not found anything.

So what could be going on with this desktop that causes the WiFi to fail when the router is connected to the desktop?

Please let me know if you need more information that might provide more clues, and I greatly appreciate any insight!

Thanks,
David

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Is the desktop WiFi enabled, if so....
May 24, 2017 6:32AM PDT
Are you using a USB Wi-Fi adapter or built in wireless card?
If it's an adapter a Windows 10 update may have changed something

Try this:
1. Power down your computer
2. Remove the USB Wi-Fi Adapter
3. Power on your computer
4. If Wi-Fi signal is not disrupted then it's the USB Wi-Fi adapter that is causing the problem
5. Try reinstalling the USB Wi-Fi Adapter
6. If the problem returns then you know there's a compatibility issue with the USB Wi-Fi adapter
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I don't have a USB WiFi adapter on my desktop
May 24, 2017 7:25AM PDT

My desktop does not have any WiFi capability, so I don't think that is the issue. But you lead me to think of another possibility that one of my many WiFi-enabled peripherals may be part of the problem. Things like Garmin watches, cameras, printer, etc. I will strip it all away, simplify things and see what happens. Thanks for your thoughts.

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I wonder if the issue is SOMETHING ELSE.
May 24, 2017 8:17AM PDT

I can kill a network by setting my IP address of the Ethernet to say 192.168.0.1 here. It won't kill the WiFi but WiFi won't work. The difference between kill and won't work is subtle here.

You wrote kill so I was going after the usual.

Try this. Be sure your desktop's Ethernet is set to automatically obtain an address.

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I agree....
May 24, 2017 8:45AM PDT

make sure your Desktop is set to receive the IP Address automatically. Not static.

In fact the same should be for all your peripherals including Sonos. Setting static IP Addresses means you have to keep track of each one so as not to duplicate.
Your choice....but my preferred setup for Sonos is via the Sonos Net using a Sonos Boost. One big advantage to use a Boost is that no Sonos speaker has to be tied to or near your router.

Also, I use an Asus AC5300 router. Two companion apps I like are:
1. Net Analyzer
2. Asus Device discovery
Both are installed on my iPhone and I can see my entire network with IP Address for every peripheral

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Answer
There was an old bug.
May 23, 2017 10:49AM PDT

That would cause routers to fail way back when which was cured by the router makers issuing new firmware.

Let's hear not only your above information but what version the router firmware is.

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PS. Forgot this W10 setting that affects speed.
May 23, 2017 10:50AM PDT
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Firmware
May 23, 2017 12:40PM PDT

The firmware version is 3.0.0.4.380_7378

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Looks current.
May 23, 2017 12:58PM PDT

Post was last edited on May 23, 2017 3:39 PM PDT

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Already posted on the Asus site
May 23, 2017 1:56PM PDT

I'm a step ahead of you - already posted on that forum this morning. Happy The post has a total of 13 views so far, but no comments. I will turn off the delightful feature you mentioned above in which Microsoft uses my machine to traffick updates and see if that does the trick. I really appreciate your comments.

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Turning off "Updates from more than one place" didn't fix it
May 23, 2017 3:07PM PDT

Turning off "Updates from more than one place" didn't fix it. When I made the change, the WiFi worked for a little while, then shut down as usual.

Back to the drawing board...

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Other things.
May 23, 2017 3:43PM PDT

I didn't claim changing that setting would fix it only that I always turn it off since WiFi and my internet connection is a scant resource so I don't share.

Next up is a test. I rarely see this issue except on infected PCs or PCs that Torrent. I'm sure you checked for those issues so my next test is to disable the onboard WiFi and try some USB WiFi stick.

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Other things - questions
May 23, 2017 4:34PM PDT

To the best of my ability, I have checked for viruses and torrent files. As for disabling the onboard WiFi and trying a USB WiFi stick, I plead ignorance and ask for details on how to do these.

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Varies with the laptop.
May 23, 2017 5:51PM PDT

But on my Asus it's standard W10 where you click on the WiFi symbol then click the WiFi square. Now we plug in some USB WiFi stick (check amazon.com) and test. If in warranty, just make it their problem.

I take it from the story, drivers were already attempted.

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I have not messed around with drivers
May 23, 2017 7:49PM PDT

Should I try downloading a new ethernet driver? Another consideration: I've read about BIOS settings that can disable WiFi when the LAN is connected. I tried this on my desktop, but the BIOS version does not have any network section in it.

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It looks like all of my drivers are up to date.
May 23, 2017 8:02PM PDT

It looks like all of my drivers are up to date.

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Remember.
May 23, 2017 9:24PM PDT

If you used Windows to check this, it lies. Big time. The only way to know is to install latest manually.

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Turning off "Updates from more than one place" didn't fix it
May 23, 2017 3:10PM PDT

Turning off "Updates from more than one place" didn't fix it. When I made the change, the WiFi worked for a little while, then shut down as usual.

Back to the drawing board...