Clients do not connect to AP250

[sajid_abbas]

Hi,

We have seen this since a long time that most of our client devices do not connect to AP250 and instead prefer AP330, which is in fact further away than AP250.

Both of the AP models have same network policy and radio profiles configured but still there would be very few client on AP250 e.g. 2-3 whereas an adjacent AP330 would have 20+ clients. We need to replace AP330s with 250 or further model but not sure why clients would not prefer it when being the nearest AP.

Any advise to troubleshoot this.

Thanks

Sajid

[ashley_finch]

Hi Sajid,

From a quick search online the WiFi card in these only seems 802.11b/g/n compatible. As this is an older card, if you're not able to see the 5GHz in certain areas it could be because your APs are using channels that the laptops are not compatible with.

[sajid_abbas]

Just tested a test SSID on one of the AP250 and I can't see the ssid on 5G on standard HP laptop elitebook Folio 9470m with updated drivers, only on 2.4 and im standing right under it.

Surprisingly, the newer mobile phone Note9 an pick it up. This is strange considering HP laptops are pretty standard devices.

The AP doesnt seem faulty altogether as the mobile phone can see it.

What could be the reason for incompatibility here.

Sajid

[sajid_abbas]

Hi,

Thanks for your response.

The APs are generally 15m or so apart and a client wouldnt even connect to AP250 when its standing directly underneath it.

I have seen this with other customer of very less or no client on AP250 in comparison to other APs.

We have about 25 AP250s, which show the same behaviour. How can all of them be faulty.

I will test the new SSID method to check and confirm the behaviour.

Thanks

Sajid

[bruce_stahlin]

What is the proximity of the two APs? If the two are too close, a client may not detect enough difference in signal strength to chose the "closer" AP. Do you have any way to measure the signal strength from the two APs? Try adding a new SSID only to the 250 and see if clients are able to connect. What is the signal strength compared to the original SSID of the 330? If you still don't see the new SSID on the 5GHz channel, you may have a bad AP.

Another consideration of 2.4 GHz radios is co-channel interference. Watch your signal overlap. Tweaking the max power settings in the 2.4 GHz radio profile may also help.