Strange WiFi Issue, Any Experts Out There

[pacman]

On changing my van several months ago I fitted it with a new WiFi system consisting of Poynting Ariel feeding a Teltonika RUT241 router fitted with an ID Mobile SIM.

Since then I have generally had poor WiFi signal reception on the two Cello TVs fitted to the van but reception on all other devices (Laptop, tablets and phones) has been excellent. I can easily view tv programs on my phone or tablet but the tv's keep showing the circle of death.

Even more strange is that if I switch off mobile data on my phone and switch on the Mobile Hotspot; so effectively I am connecting the tv to the router via my phone; I get a great picture on the tv with no lag at all.

Can anyone explain what is happening and is there anything I can do to let me have a good connection direct from the router to the tv.

 

[HugoBNB]

Try forgetting all saved networks on the offending TV, then turn off TV, then turn off router. Restart router, restart TV, add the network to your TV.
Good luck.

 

[pacman]

Try forgetting all saved networks on the offending TV, then turn off TV, then turn off router. Restart router, restart TV, add the network to your TV.
Good luck.

Thanks for the idea, but already tried the "Big Reset" with no joy.

 

[Mleabon]

I assume it's dual band wifi 2.4Ghz and 5ghz. You could try turning off the 5ghz at the router so the tv has to connect to the 2.4ghz. See if there's any difference. 5ghz is faster but has a shorter range. 2.4ghz has a better range and is fast enough for most things.

 

[Lenny HB]

Even more strange is that if I switch off mobile data on my phone and switch on the Mobile Hotspot; so effectively I am connecting the tv to the router via my phone; I get a great picture on the tv with no lag at all.

No you are not, a Hotspot on a phone only works with mobile data.
What is probably happening is the router & the phone hotspot are on the same channel or a channel close enough to interfear and by turning the mobile data off you have stopped the conflict and the TV is getting its signal from the router.

You can go into the router settings and change the channel.

 

[matbic]

i don’t have the same TV as you so might not be very helpful- but the phone you are using as a hot spot is it Android or Apple? I will assume it’s Android as apple can’t share a wifi connection.

So the Cello TV has a very (how shall i put it politely) cheap wifi chip inside it. It is common for these types of chips to have problems with some of the RUT241 wifi settings. Now here is the challenge! The settings are:
1) WPA2-PSK only
2) 802.11w (Management Frame Protection) to Disabled

Unfortunately this is scary stuff. But I will have a go at describing what you can try to check in Teltonika settings.

Go to Network then Wireless
Click edit next to wireless device - not the wifi network
Set width to 20MHz
Go to advanced settings and make sure Force 40Mhz is not set also make sure ”allow legacy rates” is selected.
Save all of that.

Now edit the SSID and go to wireless Security tab. Set Encryption to WPA2-PSK (it is probably on something with WPA3 in it)
I think you can now set
802.11w Management frame protection to disabled
Then save!!

I know it’s madly complicated and might not be the problem!

The other possibility is the wi-fi signal is too weak from TV to Teltonika but when you use phone as h
hot spot that is closer to TV so it works well. Check the signal strength on your TV if it’s low that is the problem.

After that my suggestion is to connect an ethernet cable from TV to Teltonika this avoids all the problems with wifi!

Well i hope this helps and good luck!!

 

[matbic]

No you are not, a Hotspot on a phone only works with mobile data.
What is probably happening is the router & the phone hotspot are on the same channel or a channel close enough to interfear and by turning the mobile data off you have stopped the conflict and the TV is getting its signal from the router.

You can go into the router settings and change the channel.

Some Andriod phones will share the wifi with a hotspot it’s called “wifi sharing” - no iphone will.

 

[Pausim]

I know very little about RUT routers but when I looked at the spec for the 241 was surprised that it only uses Wi-Fi 4, which is an older standard. If you have other devices connected to the router or your Cello TV is looking for HD reception perhaps the Wi-Fi is struggling to provide the data it needs through it’s single aerial.

 

[starquake]

On changing my van several months ago I fitted it with a new WiFi system consisting of Poynting Ariel feeding a Teltonika RUT241 router fitted with an ID Mobile SIM.

Since then I have generally had poor WiFi signal reception on the two Cello TVs fitted to the van but reception on all other devices (Laptop, tablets and phones) has been excellent. I can easily view tv programs on my phone or tablet but the tv's keep showing the circle of death.

Even more strange is that if I switch off mobile data on my phone and switch on the Mobile Hotspot; so effectively I am connecting the tv to the router via my phone; I get a great picture on the tv with no lag at all.

Can anyone explain what is happening and is there anything I can do to let me have a good connection direct from the router to the tv.

Do yourself a favour and swap that RUT241 for soemthing cat20. ZTE U50 for £75 or so, it'll be about 20x quicker.

RUT241, and its cat4 modem is about 10 year old tech now.

 

[starquake]

I know very little about RUT routers but when I looked at the spec for the 241 was surprised that it only uses Wi-Fi 4, which is an older standard. If you have other devices connected to the router or your Cello TV is looking for HD reception perhaps the Wi-Fi is struggling to provide the data it needs through it’s single aerial.

It's also a cat4 modem, so like 2Mbit throughput. Swap for a more modern unit + wifi router with a cat20 model and wifi 5 or 6 standards, and you'll get literally Gbit level 5g performanance in places the Rut will struggle to get 1Mbit.

(Worht noting a cat4 modem can't use about 3 quaters of the frequencies in use in UK right now).

 

[meanders]

Download Wifi Analyser on your phone from Google Play. That will show you graphically what channel everything nearby is on. You can then see any gaps and then log into the router to change it to a free or lesser used channel. The TV's should then refind the network on the new channel but you may have to 'forget' it and establish the connection.

 

[starquake]

Should say lowering the wifi channel width as above will help (a bit) (as will the channel cahnges above) but the RUT241 is using an old wifi standard as well as a old modem, I'd personally swap it, as a more modern modem + wifi chip will work wonders (even on auto mode). Changing the channel and lowering width to 20Mhz will help with interference from others, setting channel to 1, 7 or 11 is the usual advice to avoid other wifi users (7 is usually least congested on 2.4ghz).

 

[starquake]

Should say search on here for cheap places to get a new modem to swap the RUT for, ebay, ethernal comms sells a U50 for £75-90 regularly, it's a cat20 device and you typically just need to get pigtails to connect it to your roof antenna (it's powered off usbc, so just swap the cable to your RUT for a usb port (you may already have one), available on ebay trivially. All in yuo'll get a 5g router on yoour existing antenna for a lot less than any leisure retailer will charge you for "simple" stuff.

If you search on here many funsters have swapped RUT (older devices) for newer ZTE's. However if you want to stick with Teltonica, the new (5g) model will be a direct replacement (the 5g one) but it's about £400-500 depending on the week. It's not any faster than the ZTE signal wise though does have some advantages in it;s power consumption (it's lower), but it's also 4-5x the cost.

 

[pacman]

Many thanks for all the advice provided, I'll be trying them all in the next day or two to improve the connection.
The connection to the TV certainly improved just by switching off my phone as an experiment. In the longer term I may look at updating the router so thank-you for all the advice regarding this.

 

[Pausim]

Many thanks for all the advice provided, I'll be trying them all in the next day or two to improve the connection.
The connection to the TV certainly improved just by switching off my phone as an experiment. In the longer term I may look at updating the router so thank-you for all the advice regarding this.

This does suggest that the router’s WiFi 4 is not coping with multiple devices. Technology has moved on a great deal since WiFi 4 was introduced 2007/09.

 

[matbic]

wifi 4 is a marketing name for IEEE 802.11n (see why the changed it!) It is quite capable of providing connections for 50 devices at the same time. Although it was best practice to keep to about 25 if possible. It would be a shame to spend hundreds of pounds on a new device when its might not be necessary, especially if it is only the wifi aspect that is not working.

However I’do agree a newer Cat20 mobile modem would be a good upgrade. However you may still need the fix for the TV it’s the TV’s wifi chip that is very “old school” not coping with the new wifi standards. It might well be worse with a new generation wifi!!

 

[matbic]

Now edit the SSID and go to wireless Security tab. Set Encryption to WPA2-PSK (it is probably on something with WPA3 in it)
I think you can now set
802.11w Management frame protection to disabled
Then save!!

I just thought of another setting you might try - but this one is drastic (it slows the whole of your wifi down for all devices on it) It may well be the TV does not negotiate well with faster clients on the same wifi - this would help put them all on the same slow speed.

Network → SSID
Set the mode to Legacy not N

then save

Sorry i am doing all this from memory as i a crashed out on a Corsican beach at the moment!! So i am going from memory so might be a bit vague!!

 

[pacman]

I just thought of another setting you might try - but this one is drastic (it slows the whole of your wifi down for all devices on it) It may well be the TV does not negotiate well with faster clients on the same wifi - this would help put them all on the same slow speed.

Network → SSID
Set the mode to Legacy not N

then save

Sorry i am doing all this from memory as i a crashed out on a Corsican beach at the moment!! So i am going from memory so might be a bit vague!!

Unfortunately not able to try anything tonight as we are parked at Ribblehead Viaduct and have zero mobile signal on anything. Hope Corsican weather is better than here. 🌧🌧

 

[L' Hobo]

On changing my van several months ago I fitted it with a new WiFi system consisting of Poynting Ariel feeding a Teltonika RUT241 router fitted with an ID Mobile SIM.

Since then I have generally had poor WiFi signal reception on the two Cello TVs fitted to the van but reception on all other devices (Laptop, tablets and phones) has been excellent. I can easily view tv programs on my phone or tablet but the tv's keep showing the circle of death.

Even more strange is that if I switch off mobile data on my phone and switch on the Mobile Hotspot; so effectively I am connecting the tv to the router via my phone; I get a great picture on the tv with no lag at all.

Can anyone explain what is happening and is there anything I can do to let me have a good connection direct from the router to the tv.

I know little about these things so it might be a stupid question BUT, have you retuned your TV?

I did away with my heavy rooftop scanner years ago and have just been using a magnetic based high incoming aerial that I put normally on the roof but, if that doesn't work, I can place, magneticly, anywhere on the metal van body.
I have to retune my TV at every new location.

It works for me me!

 

[Lenny HB]

I know little about these things so it might be a stupid question BUT, have you retuned your TV?

He is streaming not using an aerial.

 

[starquake]

However I’do agree a newer Cat20 mobile modem would be a good upgrade. However you may still need the fix for the TV it’s the TV’s wifi chip that is very “old school” not coping with the new wifi standards. It might well be worse with a new generation wifi!!

If it's a modern Cello they tend to support 5ghz as well as the 2.4 ghz in wifi4 devices.

Simple answer on if it's the device is to run a firestick anyhow, as even most of the "most basic" firesticks are wifi5/6 these days, and support 5ghz (which doesn't really pass huge distances so you don't get interference as often). The issue with wifi 2.4ghz is many uneducated people (as in don't know this is a bad thing) set their 2.4 ghz devices to max power, when in most cases setting to least stops you shouting as loud, when what matters more than the power level at the router is the reception capability of the receiver. (ie, if you buy a cheap firestick for the telly it'll help). If you are already using a firestick, be sure to be using the hdmi cable extender on the device -> some people also disconnect this, not realiing the stubby extender on a firestick is literally the wifi antenna (my father in law fell foul to this and was wondering why his wifi was non functional).

My neighbours at home make 2.4 ghz wifi in our van entirely non-working (as they all have VERY loud Sky 2.4ghz systems which makes our own 2.4ghz ssid in the van not work well at streaming (despite working at > 100Mbit on 5ghz) -> thankfully the ZTE we have also has a 5ghz frequency.

 

[cooperman66]

Can 2nd the RUT241 to ZTE U50 change, our internet is miles better.
And get a fire stick, so easy to use.

 

[pacman]

Can 2nd the RUT241 to ZTE U50 change, our internet is miles better.
And get a fire stick, so easy to use.View attachment 1254618

Thanks, its certainly on my list of things to consider. On a side point where did you get the white gasket that the aerial cables pass through as I've been looking for one for another job.

 

[matbic]

https://www.scanstrut.com/ do several things that look like that cable seal

 

[pacman]

UPDATE
Now in Settle so have a strong mobile signal. Checked several settings as advised but all appeared to be correct. TV receiving sufficient Wi-Fi for good picture.
Shame it can't do this when a weak mobile is all that's available.

Considering new router on next few days.

Many thanks again for everybody's help.

 

[TGL]

On changing my van several months ago I fitted it with a new WiFi system consisting of Poynting Ariel feeding a Teltonika RUT241 router fitted with an ID Mobile SIM.

Since then I have generally had poor WiFi signal reception on the two Cello TVs fitted to the van but reception on all other devices (Laptop, tablets and phones) has been excellent. I can easily view tv programs on my phone or tablet but the tv's keep showing the circle of death.

Even more strange is that if I switch off mobile data on my phone and switch on the Mobile Hotspot; so effectively I am connecting the tv to the router via my phone; I get a great picture on the tv with no lag at all.

Can anyone explain what is happening and is there anything I can do to let me have a good connection direct from the router to the tv.

Yes, your router has two wifi transmitters one is technically 11g (2.4ghz) and the other is 11n (5ghz). Many devices still only connect cleanly to the 2.4ghz 11g transmitter. Depending on your router you might have to go into its admin screen and set it to broadcast separate channrls i.e. you will see two wifi hotspots when you search for your router on your TV. If you only currently see one router hotspot on your TV or your phone. then your router is likely broadcasting in what is known as hybrid mode. Unfortunately whilst the intention is good, many older devices don’t like it.

 

[matbic]

your router has two wifi transmitters one is technically 11g (2.4ghz) and the other is 11n (5ghz)

RUT241 there’s nothing to split — it’s a 2.4 GHz-only router. It has a single radio doing 802.11b/g/n on 2.4 GHz no 5GHz

 

[TGL]

RUT241 there’s nothing to split — it’s a 2.4 GHz-only router. It has a single radio doing 802.11b/g/n on 2.4 GHz no 5GHz

How new (or old) are the TVs? Maybe the opposite problem: you might need 5ghz.

 

[cooperman66]

Thanks, its certainly on my list of things to consider. On a side point where did you get the white gasket that the aerial cables pass through as I've been looking for one for another job.

Sorry, no idea, I'm reusing the original Maxview aerial so was already there

 

[pacman]

How new (or old) are the TVs? Maybe the opposite problem: you might need 5ghz.

TV"s are less than a year old