Known problem or defect device? - Kindle Fire General

So I've been using my Kindle Fire for a couple of weeks now, and I've found a problem that's been hindering my use.
When I am (decently) far from my router, my Wifi on the Kindle Fire keeps dropping and then it reconnects. The connection is still at around 2 bars whenever it does it. I don't understand, because with my smaller phone (HTC Sensation 4G), my Wifi does not do this...
Is this a firmware issue (I am not rooted) or is it unique to my device? I have updated the firmware and everything...
Thanks.

I've been running into this exact problem (non-rooted KF). For the first few weeks, I had zero issues.
Now suddenly, I can't seem to stay connected for more than a few minutes at a time.
Even standing literally next to the router produces the same results.
I use plenty of other wireless devices in the house and I've never ran into any of these problems.
I'm using a Netgear WNDR4500; not a cheap router by any means.
I did a little research the other day, this seems to be a somewhat well-documented problem. Doesn't seem like any solutions have been found yet, though. I noticed the problem only seems to happen when the Kindle has been on standby for a few days. A restart seems to stop all the disconnects, at least for a few days.

maybe cleaning up saved networks helps
to do this:
disable wifi
open /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf and delete everything exempt the first two lines:
Code:
ctrl_interface=tiwlan0
update_config=1
save the file (beware the permissions rw-rw----)
enable wifi
you start with a wifi configuration like out of the box

b63 said:
maybe cleaning up saved networks helps
to do this:
disable wifi
open /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf and delete everything exempt the first two lines:
Code:
ctrl_interface=tiwlan0
update_config=1
save the file (beware the permissions rw-rw----)
enable wifi
you start with a wifi configuration like out of the box
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this require root? I'm not rooting for another couple months to be safe.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

Also, does anyone else have this same problem?
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

N4rbs said:
Does this require root? I'm not rooting for another couple months to be safe.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't really know cause mine is rooted - you can try it with es file explorer or any other which reaches the file - if you can't safe it then you need root - but i don't think so cause it has write permissions to the user group

KF's WiFi does seem to be a bit wonky... I've had trouble associating with networks a few times, required a reboot/toggling WiFi on and off.
Does anybody have this problem with a custom rom? If not, it could be Amazon trying to do something funky with powersaving. On my dm1z, if I set my WiFi adapter to "max power saving mode", I see very similar behavior...

The wifi on the kindle is great....it probably has to do with interference in your network. Try changing the channel you use for your network.

So, I compared another kindle fire to mine and it did not have the problem...I guess I will be calling amazon for a new one.
Sent from my TripNiCE Pyramid using xda premium

G1ForFun said:
The wifi on the kindle is great....it probably has to do with interference in your network. Try changing the channel you use for your network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no 2.4ghz network within about 1500 feet of my home (and I know what channel that network is on), so I really doubt that's the problem.
As I stated above, as soon as I restart the KF, the wifi works perfectly for a while. It's only happens after the KF has been on standby for about 4-5 days; that's when the connectivity issues start.
The only reason I'm here (over the amazon forums) is because people here actually know what they are talking about. Everyone over there has the generic "it's your network" response. I manage networks for a living, something is most definitely not working correctly on the KF. When the parents came over, I had them test their KF (I made sure it was on standby for at least a few days); I had no problem staying connected.

I have the same issue and I'm running CM7. I'm constantly having to disable and then re-enable wifi to jump start it. Phones never have this issue on my home network and this is the only network that my Kindle has ever connected to.

N4rbs said:
Does this require root? I'm not rooting for another couple months to be safe.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it does. without root you cannot manipulate any files in /data

hnosaj said:
I have the same issue and I'm running CM7. I'm constantly having to disable and then re-enable wifi to jump start it. Phones never have this issue on my home network and this is the only network that my Kindle has ever connected to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. It is not in any way a network issue. Never happens with my desktop, laptop, or phone, all on wifi.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

my wifi on my fire is stronger than on my infuse

Wifi strength isn't the issue for me, it's plenty strong.
The issue is that it cuts out in the middle of me using it, which leads to me turning wifi off and then back on.

Mine does this after it's been on standby for awhile, The wifi won't turn on and i have to do a reboot to get it working. had the problem with KF 6.2.1 And CyanogenMod7, seems to be the hardware.

Aronoskarss said:
Mine does this after it's been on standby for awhile, The wifi won't turn on and i have to do a reboot to get it working. had the problem with KF 6.2.1 And CyanogenMod7, seems to be the hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
only a possibillity:
do you use manual ip-settings on the kf ? - it don't seem to like that
and if you switch wifi off and on again instead of rebooting - does it work again ?
seems to be a common problem ...

I don't use manual ip settings.
Turning Wifi off and then back on works for me but it's kind of annoying.

I too have had this happen twice since I got my fire 12/23. There is no problem with anything else connected to the network. Turning the network on and off does not help nor does rebooting the kindle. I have run wifi analytics and it does not see my network. The only solution is to reboot the router. I have not rooted mine yet either.
If this is a known problem with the fire hardware I will need to contact CS. Hopefully I will not need to go to the hastle of returning it.

i have this problem too - very rare but have it also - reboot the router and everything is ok again - every other device connects flawlessly - seems like a problem of the router (linksys 160nl)

Related

[Q] Wifi problem with only 1 router

I know there has been wifi problems with others, but I think my problem is diffrent. For me it is only one router and it works for a while but then wont connect and displays an error. If I reboot the router it will work again. It may work for an hour, it may work for 5 minutes, it may work for several hours before I need to reboot again. I have connected my fire to many other routers and all work fine, even my phones tether works fine.
Router is a Netgear 3G Router (MBR624GU). The firmware is up to date.
Side issue: The XDA App crashes ALOT on my fire, does it on anyone elses?
zenopzz said:
I know there has been wifi problems with others, but I think my problem is diffrent. For me it is only one router and it works for a while but then wont connect and displays an error. If I reboot the router it will work again. It may work for an hour, it may work for 5 minutes, it may work for several hours before I need to reboot again. I have connected my fire to many other routers and all work fine, even my phones tether works fine.
Router is a Netgear 3G Router (MBR624GU). The firmware is up to date.
Side issue: The XDA App crashes ALOT on my fire, does it on anyone elses?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do the other devices that are connected to the router drop connection? what is your network config ?
your problem seems not to be involving the b/g/n mix mode so i could only guess that your ip is dynamic. many people resolved this problem by making their ip's static.
I don't have a kindle yet, i was about to buy it but the wifi problems are freaking me out
i don't want to go to a hotel with a b/g/n router or dynamic IP and my kindles wifi stop working.
Sounds like this is a router problem, not a Fire problem. It should probably be moved to a another forum.
The only time I have ever seen this problem was when the router was on its way out and needed to be replaced.
I've been using home routers for about 10 years now and I have had this problem with three of them. Two were linksys and one was a netgear.
I think the best way to test this out is to try a different device on the router, but from the symptoms it sounds like it's going to happen despite it being a kindle or some other device.
michaelkourlas said:
Sounds like this is a router problem, not a Fire problem. It should probably be moved to a another forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no its a kindle fire problem , had mine for 6 weeks, we instalied a new wi fi router all other devices work on router , kf is erratic , some days better than others now has gone off all together will not connect to wi fi , my son is a computer engineer we have been on to amazon website there are hundreds of people with same problem ,tomorrow am going to various wi fi hotspots to see if it connects there , we live in south africa ,i joined this site as i am considering rooting the kf and this looked like best site , i just dont know now i was hoping to find a thread on the problem or hoping rooting the kf would solve it, its now a choice of returning it to the 3rd party on line store for warranty or rooting it , any help or advice would be appreciated
If you are on stock you need to go to advenced settings and set it to 14 channel (Japan) or on the router you switch to a channel below 12
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Kindle Fire WiFi Oddity

I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas, and a few days later bought an Asus RT-N16 (it has DD-WRT on it) to use for WiFi for it (we have 2 other APs in the house, but they're not close enough to my bed to use the tablet in bed, which was something that I wanted to do).
It was working perfectly up until the day before yesterday. Now the Fire won't connect to the SSID at all. Sometimes it doesn't even recognize that the SSID is there at all. Even the WiFi Analyzer app sometimes won't see the SSID.
I'd think it was an AP problem, but going to the AP's configuration page shows that the radio is, indeed, on, and I can pick up my phone (HTC HD2 w/CyanogenMod 7) and connect and use the network perfectly.
Any thoughts?
I have the same issue I think. I have a wifi extender set up in my apartment out back because the main ap from the house doesnt provide a good signal in my apt. Other devices can have them both set up and switch accordingly, but my fire with CM7 installed will constantly only use the main one unless I forget it temporarily.
Not the best solution but a temp workaround.
Corey
If you are on stock than you go to wirless networks and then advenced settings and change it to Japan i had The same problem
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
cryancaire said:
I have the same issue I think. I have a wifi extender set up in my apartment out back because the main ap from the house doesnt provide a good signal in my apt. Other devices can have them both set up and switch accordingly, but my fire with CM7 installed will constantly only use the main one unless I forget it temporarily.
Not the best solution but a temp workaround.
Corey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the problem I'm having.
Even if I forget everything but the "target" SSID, it still won't connect at all, ever.
The only way I can get it to connect to this AP is to set the AP to G-only and turn security off.
My phone continues to connect flawlessly in all situations, however...
I don't really consider this a "solution" since no security is...no security...but I guess it'll have to do because as soon as I turn encryption back on the tablet just doesn't connect again.
QuBe2 said:
If you are on stock than you go to wirless networks and then advenced settings and change it to Japan i had The same problem
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I changed it to use all 14 channels, and I even tried forcing the AP to a certain channel that I knew the device would connect to, and the problem still did not disapper.

[Q] Nexus 4 Wi-Fi issues.

First - Hi all, long time reader but this is the first time I've needed to start a thread - so sorry about my first post being a problem/Q!
I've not had my Nexus 4 long, but have got some pretty annoying Wi-Fi issues. I've searched for answers but it seems that people have different Wi-Fi problems and I just wanted to see whether my issue was a common one and, if so, is there a fix on the horizon?
My issue is that I can connect to some routers but not to others (work, home, most open networks)... when I connect it simply says "saved, secured with WPA/WPA2" but wont then connect.
Phones running stock 4.2.1 with franco kernel r28 and the things I have tried are:
Resetting routers
Assigning static IP address
Wi-Fi direct from my Nexus 7
Cleared cache from recovery
changed the Wi-Fi band from 'Auto' to 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz
Flashed new kernel
Very frustrating and because of my signal the lack of Wi-Fi has made me go back to my old phone while I wait for a fix... which connects perfectly to the networks (S3 running CM 10.1)
Is this a 4.2.1 issue - as seems to be the consensus with other Wi-Fi issues or possibly a hardware issue?
Thanks for any info!
There's one fix you've not tried which might work for you (it didn't for me). You would have to be rooted though, which is going to system/etc/dhcpcd and changing the permission on dhcpcd-run-hooks to read and execute from "others". This help some people out but turns out for me that my router isn't compatible with my phone. (DSL-2780).
I've noticed that some of the mobile devices(eg iPhone 3gs, SGS2) are quite sensitive to wireless channel which your router/ap broadcast on.
Try manually switch to channel 6 or 8 that solved my issue - I don't believe in incompatible routers usually problems are related to config.
It is more complicated with an access to the public WiFi as you can not modify the setup.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
paulrawr said:
There's one fix you've not tried which might work for you (it didn't for me). You would have to be rooted though, which is going to system/etc/dhcpcd and changing the permission on dhcpcd-run-hooks to read and execute from "others". This help some people out but turns out for me that my router isn't compatible with my phone. (DSL-2780).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks for this I will give it a go and let you know.
sirbagin said:
I've noticed that some of the mobile devices(eg iPhone 3gs, SGS2) are quite sensitive to wireless channel which your router/ap broadcast on.
Try manually switch to channel 6 or 8 that solved my issue - I don't believe in incompatible routers usually problems are related to config.
It is more complicated with an access to the public WiFi as you can not modify the setup.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried this on the routers which I am able to change the channel of and it didn't change anything.
paulrawr said:
There's one fix you've not tried which might work for you (it didn't for me). You would have to be rooted though, which is going to system/etc/dhcpcd and changing the permission on dhcpcd-run-hooks to read and execute from "others". This help some people out but turns out for me that my router isn't compatible with my phone. (DSL-2780).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to update.
I've now tried this and still can't connect to the affected Wi-Fi networks, probably going to have to wait for 4.2.2 to see if that fixes it...
I had troubles connecting to my wifi network here in my house, which worked pretty good with my galaxy nexus, what i did and worked was deactivating the option "avoid poor connections" in wifi advanced settings, you should give this a try
Fixed it for me
Chad_Petree said:
I had troubles connecting to my wifi network here in my house, which worked pretty good with my galaxy nexus, what i did and worked was deactivating the option "avoid poor connections" in wifi advanced settings, you should give this a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Chad, it was driving me crazy the constant data drops I had when trying to listen to streamed audio in XiiaLive Pro. Which worked flawlessly with my old HTC Desire.
Did as you said, and perfect now.
sandozer said:
Thanks Chad, it was driving me crazy the constant data drops I had when trying to listen to streamed audio in XiiaLive Pro. Which worked flawlessly with my old HTC Desire.
Did as you said, and perfect now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I could help
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I too have wifi issues with my N4. We have several phones at home - an HTC Aria and believe it or not the SGS1, SGS2 and SGS3!
All of them connect with no problems. My brand new N4 will see the router but refuses to connect until I toggle wifi on/of serveral times in succession, sometimes 6-8 times!
I have avoid poor wifi disabled but it does not help
I really hope El Goog fixes this asap as it is very frustrating.
I've had this issue forever. Android phones hate low or overcrowded signal. Though my nexus 7 always works fine. Makes me think it is the lack of WiFi antenna strength
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Its a 4.2.1 issue
http://androidheadlines.com/2013/02/nexus-users-reporting-wifi-problems-on-android-4-2.html
NeXus⁴ using XDA Premium
Nope, i have a 4.2.2 and its same think
i have a problem in my nexus 4 wifi ... it don't connect automatically to wifi network ,, i have to turn wifi off and turn it on to connect !!! any solution ??

WiFi problems (4.2.1)

OK this is really pissing me off. Everyone time I go on my nexus device it doesn't automatically connect to the WiFi.. I have to either disable the WiFi and reenable it. Or just click on my network and click connect (it says its saved but doesn't automatically connect when I turn on my device), i tried everything from forgetting every saved network, restarting me device, ect, and its not my routers problem, my DNA connects automatically when I turn it on. Any of you guys had this problem? If so what did you do to fix it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
what router? My nexus 7 is fine and so is my sgs1.
No idea what router I have but that's not the problem, problem is that when I turn on my nexus and get passed the lockscreen, the WiFi would normaly automatically connect. It for some reason stopped doing that and it gets really annoying manually connecting
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
kernel
PhantomsWay said:
No idea what router I have but that's not the problem, problem is that when I turn on my nexus and get passed the lockscreen, the WiFi would normaly automatically connect. It for some reason stopped doing that and it gets really annoying manually connecting
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try to change your kernel. the wifi drivers are in the kernel...
Running stock, never changed my ROM or kernel
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
You could try a different channel on your router
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
PhantomsWay said:
OK this is really pissing me off. Everyone time I go on my nexus device it doesn't automatically connect to the WiFi.. I have to either disable the WiFi and reenable it. Or just click on my network and click connect (it says its saved but doesn't automatically connect when I turn on my device), i tried everything from forgetting every saved network, restarting me device, ect, and its not my routers problem, my DNA connects automatically when I turn it on. Any of you guys had this problem? If so what did you do to fix it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I share the same problem. Upon a reboot, it will work normally for a while.
Once they symptoms starts, it will refuse to connect most of the time. When it does connect, it will disconnect within a couple of minutes. WPS wont respond either. toggle wifi/airplane mode does not work either.
The only way is to reboot.
However, I did have some findings but couldnt get it fixed! Do this and test if it works for you as well:
Go to terminal (needs to be rooted device):
Simply select the "Take wifilock/B]" option and it will stay connected!
Release it and it will get disconnected and back to the same issue.
Hopefully some experts can give us some pointers?
Temporary fix
I have the same problem. This is what i did to fix it: Settings- Wifi settings- advanced- switch always on to Never, reboot in recovery, clear cache, reboot your device and go back and turn Wifi back to Always on. this is a temporary fix because if you reboot or shutdown your device, you will need to redo the steps. this is a known problem with google's 4.2 jellybean. we need an update soon!
hope it helps you.
Thanks for your help
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
It won't be much comfort to you, but remember that "it takes two to tango".
Yeah, there's IEEE standards for all of this stuff. Do interop problems still happen? All the frigging time, every day. Sure it is maddening.
And sometimes the problems only manifest themselves with an exact pair of firmware(s) releases between the AP and the client device. I had a WiFi router that would gladly talk to four or five unique types of devices; on the sixth - an Android phone - it would associate & authenticate successfully, but the client device would never get an IP address.
That sure sounds like a problem with the phone, doesn't it?
How did I fix the problem? I upgraded the firmware ... on the router !
Sometimes problems with intermittent connections can be rectified by fooling with things that you might think have no bearing on the problem. For instance, some routers will accept connections in A/B/G/N mode. Do you need all of those? If not, simplify your router's behaviors by disabling non-essential features, e.g. select G-only or N-only.
That's just an example - but the point is that the fewer behaviors either of the devices engage in, the lower the probability that the bug which is shared between them will get expressed.
So, you can either fool around with both devices, only one of them - changing one setting at a time to see if that alters the behavior you observe, or you can throw one device away and start all over with new combinations of devices. The router probably has more knobs which can be turned than the phone does (unless it's not your router, or you don't control it).
Good luck

[Q] Wifi won't stay connected.

Is anyone else having issues with Wifi not staying connected? For example, it'll keep dropping out from my router every 3 minutes or so. When it drops out, the 3G will enable for a few seconds but then it will connect back to the router.
Is anyone else having this issue? What did you do to fix it?
Cheers
Are you rooted? Have you done any mods? Perhaps you should check the advanced settings in the WiFi option
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium
Hi,
No I'm not rooted. No mods at all. 100% stock firmware. I have checked the Advanced Wifi options but can't see anything wrong.
Just to mention, I did at first think it might have been a fault with the phone so I got the phone swapped out with another brand new device however the problem still persists.
I have a similar problem on a i9505 running the latest CM 10.2 nightly.
Some 2.4GHz networks are fine, others behave as you describe.
The one 5GHz network to which I have access has recently started to misbehave; the phone connects properly and works for about 2 minutes, after which I lose all connectivity (I can't even ping the router) yet the wifi indicator remains blue. Turning wifi off and on again gives me another 2 minutes. This goes on until I give up and switch to 2.4GHz.
Of course, I have no idea what is causing this. I've tried various channels on the router, as well as rebooting it.
Does this happen to all routers (I assume you use other routers somewhere else), or it just happen to this router only? Is this case, you may want to check the router itself.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
Frequent disconnections occur on all 2.4GHz networks. As for the 5GHz, I've only got access to one router on which to test it.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
I've only tested it on my router.
As I say, I thought the phone was faulty so I swapped it out but the one I swapped it out with had the exact same issue.
cined said:
Is anyone else having issues with Wifi not staying connected? For example, it'll keep dropping out from my router every 3 minutes or so. When it drops out, the 3G will enable for a few seconds but then it will connect back to the router.
Is anyone else having this issue? What did you do to fix it?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this problem and solve it...
just dial this: *#0011#
and then press menu and choose wifi and change WIFI Power Save Mode to: OFF
notice that every time you reboot device it is back to ON
ace_of_spades021 said:
I had this problem and solve it...
just dial this: *#0011#
and then press menu and choose wifi and change WIFI Power Save Mode to: OFF
notice that every time you reboot device it is back to ON
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple of things concern me about this method though. Do we know what setting that mode to OFF actually does? I've heard reports that the phone gets quite hot and battery drains.
cined said:
A couple of things concern me about this method though. Do we know what setting that mode to OFF actually does? I've heard reports that the phone gets quite hot and battery drains.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok you are right... so I upgrade my modem's firmware and now every thing is good and wifi stay connected :highfive:
ace_of_spades021 said:
ok you are right... so I upgrade my modem's firmware and now every thing is good and wifi stay connected :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I've tried 2 different routers now and 2 different Mini s4's and it's still disconnecting. What router do you have?
cined said:
Well I've tried 2 different routers now and 2 different Mini s4's and it's still disconnecting. What router do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zyxel p-660HW-T1 v3
my firmware: V3.70(BYD.6)D0_20121108 | 11/08/2012
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Well I got my phone swapped out (3rd one now) and I'll see how it goes.
Ni !^^ what us Your Android version ans MoDem actually? If you have that it s probable due to that i think..
Or maybe Your are a doesntt support Very well Your fréquences for match Your mobile?
Have you try to make a Fullwipe? For put tint everything restant as when you have buy it?
You will be on a custom rom with ni mldem update i dont say but chère..
WiFi still disconnecting even on 3rd device...
Wiping /system and flashing a newer nightly fixed the 2.4 GHz problem, but 5GHz is still dodgy. It's not the (Netgear) router as I have a couple of other Cyanogenmod devices which operate without any problem.
Perhaps I should start another thread as this may well be something different from what is affecting the op's device.

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