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Question

WiFi network -(most) mobile devices cant access internet

by Nov 16, 2018 1:16PM PST

Hi Guys, network noob here.

Running Win 10; Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 3901 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s) fibre broadband (EE)- Brightbox 2 router with 2.4 & 5 Ghz used.

Until yesterday, 3 desktop PCs (with wifi dongles), (wireless Brother printer), Samsung smart TV, iPad, iPhone, 2 x Galaxy S7 phones, 1 x Galaxy S6 phone - all happily connecting to wifi network and onward to internet.
Now, whilst the 3 desktop PCs, the TV, and even the iPad are happily doing the same, HOWEVER all the phones are still connecting to wifi network but cannot connect to internet (tried 2.4 and 5 GHz) - the Samsung phones show the exclamation on wifi sign indicating immediately there is an issue the iPhone (only had it month so not familiar ) doesn't indicate an issue but times out when trying top acces webpages. I have rebooted all devices and router to no avail.

If someone was to ask - has anything changed ? I would have to say yes, I installed Synolgy DS218Play NAS drive on system yesterday (connected to LAN on router). The NAS is working - its visible from PCs and I can watch movie on TV streamed from NAS. Is this just coincidence or could it be the cause ? Why would it only effect the phones ??

Any constructive help would be appreciated - Thanks

ps not sure if relevant - but I can use my phone to access the Router Admin (on 192.168.1.1) and see all the diagnostics etc - so clearly accessing the network ok).


Further update: while accessing the router admin page through S7 decided to switch off router Firewall . Bingo! The phones could suddenly access the internet!!
However this isn't a fix I can use - so Firewall enabled again - and presto - phones blocked.!


How can I configure the router firewall to allow the phones to access internet ?

Post was last edited on November 16, 2018 1:41 PM PST

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
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Clarification Request
Why isn't that a fix.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 16, 2018 2:41PM PST

That firewall doesn't do much. In fact a router which uses NAT (all do) is a natural firewall. You can't get to your devices from the Internet. But your devices can get to the Internet. If the router has a broken firewall implementation you configure so it works, try latest router firmware or just leave it off.

I wrote router code in the '90's so for me, this is a valid fix.

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reply why isn't that a fix
by Zaxafreon Nov 17, 2018 4:54PM PST

I have never programmed router code, and i didn't know that having NAT (I'm set at 2) was effectively acting as firewall, so naturally was just assuming that not having hardwired firewall and relying on Defender alone was bad idea.

Still interested to understand why only affecting (some) mobiles?

I have fixed issue now. For some reason the system had enabled MAC filter - and despite all mobile devices being listed as allowable - it clearly whilst allowing connection to wifi prevented internet access - which returned ok after disabling. ?

thanks for response.

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Since this router code is not open source
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 18, 2018 9:23AM PST

I doubt anyone can get into why.

BUT I have found many router's MAC filtering to be broken. So the owner has a choice of replacing the router or turning it off.

To really get into how these work takes time and much longer discussions but such is on the web now so I keep it short (to the point where folk complain.)

With a bog standard router, you can't get to the devices on the LAN from the Internet. That firewall is mostly marketing. It does do something but the makers didn't standardize so when folk tell me they need it I have to ask them if they know what it is doing. Most don't know, they just need it.

So without getting into the router details and with all routers being all over the map, some block file sharing and other ports between machines on the LAN. Most don't firewall off the Internet because NAT did that for us from the very first models of routers.

Note: Fixed grammar with edit.

Post was last edited on November 18, 2018 11:48 AM PST

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reply why isn't that a fix
by Zaxafreon Nov 18, 2018 11:07AM PST

OK thanks RP

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