Wiim Ultra is using a low signal strength wifi 5 GHz channel

[TomMost]

I'm having a wifi connection problem with a new Wiim Ultra, getting occasional dropouts. The SSI sits at about -67 to -70 which is okay to weak. However it's only about 12 feet from the closest AP. I looked at the signal strength of the channels with an app on my phone and I think it's connected to channel 1 which is coming from a different AP and is about 20 dB lower than channel 6 on the closest AP.

Can I force the Ultra to connect to channel 1?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DRC]

I'm having a wifi connection problem with a new Wiim Ultra, getting occasional dropouts. The SSI sits at about -67 to -70 which is okay to weak. However it's only about 12 feet from the closest AP. I looked at the signal strength of the channels with an app on my phone and I think it's connected to channel 1 which is coming from a different AP and is about 20 dB lower than channel 6 on the closest AP.

Can I force the Ultra to connect to channel 1?

Thanks in advance.

You mention 5GHz in the title, but channels 1 and 6 are 2.4GHz. 5GHz channels start at 36.

 

[hgo58]

It depends on your WiFi setup.
The best setup would be a Mesh Network with one access point per device and fast roaming enabled, all having same name. In that case the WiiM should connect to the one with highest signal strength.

In any case, did you try to reboot the WiiM?

 

[TomMost]

You mention 5GHz in the title, but channels 1 and 6 are 2.4GHz. 5GHz channels start at 36.

You're correct I meant 2 GHz.

 

[TomMost]

It depends on your WiFi setup.
The best setup would be a Mesh Network with one access point per device and fast roaming enabled, all having same name. In that case the WiiM should connect to the one with highest signal strength.

In any case, did you try to reboot the WiiM?

Yes I *think* it went back to channel 1 because of the low signal strength. It's frustrating because there's an AP very close.

 

[Ronnie D]

Could you try turning off the AP it is connected to and reboot the wiim?

 

[TomMost]

Could you try turning off the AP it is connected to and reboot the wiim?

Unfortunately that's pretty inconvenient but it might end up being the best solution.

 

[Ronnie D]

Or you could try setting the wiim for 5ghz only and see if it connects to the closer AP

 

[Smartplug]

Yes I *think* it went back to channel 1 because of the low signal strength. It's frustrating because there's an AP very close.

Is this router provided by your isp?

 

[TomMost]

Is this router provided by your isp?

No there are 3 Fortinet POE APs, 1 on each floor of the house. It's a matter of going down to the basement and unplugging the other 2 from the switch.

 

[harkpabst]

So these are not Mesh repeaters?

 

[TomMost]

So these are not Mesh repeaters?

No they're Access Points.

 

[Mr Ee]

No they're Access Points.

Is it definitely connected to that access point?
In the wiim app's Network Status screen click on the AP MAC value and you should get a list of APs to choose from.
May need to go to portrait mode for it to show the list properly.

 

[TomMost]

So I did some troubleshooting today, it turns out the closest AP wasn't working at all. I disconnected the other 2 and the network disappeared entirely. The LEDs on the closest AP were on but there wasn't any SSID being broadcast. As all good IT techs know the first question is have you unplugged it and plugged it back in. I tried that and viola, back on the air. Now my SS at the Wiim is -51 aka very good!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.