topic Understanding DHCP “Black Dots” and Connection Drop-offs in ExtremeWireless (IQE)

Understanding DHCP “Black Dots” and Connection Drop-offs

peter86james — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 05:21:00 GMT

We’ve been noticing recurring black dots in our DHCP logs, which seem to align with user reports of network drop-offs. Each time, the logs show “DHCP did not occur.” What’s puzzling is that these users are stationary no movement or device relocation yet it looks like a roaming event across access points (APs) occurs, followed by several minutes of network loss. We’re trying to understand what these black dots indicate in DHCP terms and whether they signal AP roaming, DHCP lease renewal issues, or something else causing these intermittent connectivity disruptions. Any insights would be appreciated.

Re: Understanding DHCP “Black Dots” and Connection Drop-offs

DeVoID — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 17:23:03 GMT

Any updates? I know one of the older firmware updates they introduced a new line in the AP's config about DHCP and that caused a massive issue, and it might be back with this latest update 10.8.4.0... any news?

Re: Understanding DHCP “Black Dots” and Connection Drop-offs

Elwin — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:30:59 GMT

Those black dots usually mean the AP couldn’t complete a DHCP exchange. It happens when the client drops briefly during reauthentication or channel change. Check if DHCP lease timers are too short and watch for 802.1X reauth events that interrupt renewals.

The 10.8.4.0 firmware also had a bug causing this update to 10.8.4.1 or later.

Extreme Networks Troubleshooting DHCP Relay/Client Issues
How DHCP Works

Re: Understanding DHCP “Black Dots” and Connection Drop-offs

DeVoID — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:56:58 GMT

I said that 10.8.4.0 was a sloppy firmwaare: https://community.extremenetworks.com/t5/extremewireless-iqe/another-broken-firmware-update-10-8-4-0/td-p/120658 I wasnt just flapping my gums! totally messed up my AP's and that wasnt even this DHCP bug! seriously dont they test their firmware in a lab before dumping it onto us. Customers are NOT their **** beta testers!

Re: Understanding DHCP “Black Dots” and Connection Drop-offs

sfolk — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 17:44:17 GMT

I am having the same issue not sure when it started. The black dots coincide with unknown error messages in the "Client Monitor and Diagnosis" tool. Also there was a document on the Extreme community portal Monday Nov. 17th regarding this issue but it has since been removed. See screen shots attached.

Re: Understanding DHCP “Black Dots” and Connection Drop-offs

sfolk — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:03:50 GMT

Forgot to say when you see a black dot with "DHCP did not occur" you will see this in the "Client monitor and diagnosis"

Re: Understanding DHCP “Black Dots” and Connection Drop-offs

DeVoID — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:44:49 GMT

I see 10.8r5 just dropped.. maybe that will fix the issue, but I suggest only do it on ONE AP, then grab your laptop, go there and see if you still get the black dots... also, be sure you dont have XIQ doing DHCP for you as well as your server. I dont know if XIQ comes out the box set to DHCP... it might be something you have to manually disable in its interface. Worth a check.