@Thirrony 

 

I feel the frustration Thirrony. Bought my 3x m5 in 2020. They have functioned perfect for years. And in the past months it turned downwards. Lots of disconnects. Tried everything i could think of to isolate the problems. But to no avail.

 

As a last resort i flashed them with openwrt. Same hardware. Same radio. Just the freedom to select certain options.

Since then i had no issues anymore and my wifi is rock solid again.

 

This makes me think how un-optimized the current m5 1.7.3 firmware is.

 

A vew tips:

- test your connection on your main router. To see if the network drops.

- record the time+date when it happens So you know where to look in the logs

- if possible, setup a device that can ping your accesspoint. Incase the connection drops you can check if the decos are still ping able. I use "uptime kuma" for this.

 

Good luck in your troubleshooting!

  @Er1 

 

I really appreciate you attention. I'm not an expert, therefore, I have some questions and explanations about your tips:

 

0 ("As a last resort i flashed them with openwrt. Same hardware. Same radio. Just the freedom to select certain options. Since then i had no issues anymore and my wifi is rock solid again"). Is this procedure reversible? How can I do this? I don't have a clue of how this works.

 

1 ("test your connection on your main router. To see if the network drops".). How can I do what you suggest?

 

2 ("record the time+date when it happens So you know where to look in the logs"). The log I uploaded above was downloaded right after the last disconnection ocurred.

 

3 ("if possible, setup a device that can ping your accesspoint. Incase the connection drops you can check if the decos are still ping able. I use "uptime kuma" for this"). I have no ideia of how to do this; if you could please teach me, maybe I could try.

 

By the way, after I posted this thread, and just a few minutes before I received your aswer, the connection dropped again after a person here, in my home, tried to access the HBO MAX app on the Mi Box. A intriguing think I noticed is that, on the website tplinkdeco.net, before the last disconection, the Default Gateway was 10.10.0.2, and, after the dropping of the connection, just after rebooting the system again via Deco APP, the Default Gateway is now 10.10.0.1. This change looks strange.

 

  @David-TP 

 

Hi.

 

No, altough my ISP offered to lend me a TPLINK Router with Wi-Fi 6, I refused the offer, cause I thought the 3 Decos M5 I bought could handle the job. So, I can't use them as AP currently.

 

Yes, I have a TPLINK TL-SG1016D network switch to raise the number of ports available, intending, always, to use the maximum of devices wired. The topology is:

INTERNET ---> ISP ONU Fiberhome ---> Main DECO ---> TPLINK TL-SG1016D SWITCH

Connected by cable to the SWITCH I have:

---> 2nd DECO

---> 3rd DECO ---> Mi Box 4 (connected by cable with 3rd DECO).

---> DVR HB

---> Alarm System

---> Solar Energy System

---> Mi Box 1

---> Mi Box 2

---> Mi Box 3

---> Sony TV

---> LG TV 1

---> LG TV 2

---> LG TV 3

---> LG TV 4

 

Besides all these devices, I also put a static IP address to my Alienware and my HP Printer (that are connected via wireless). In vain.

 

When I moved to this home, the topology was different, 'cause the 3rd DECO was directly connected to the 2nd DECO; as I thought that could be the problem (maybe a network looping, as I read here [https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1794/]), I decided to change the setup, just as it is today (right above). Other thing (that I don't know if matters): instead of desattaching the cable between the 2nd and the 3rd DECO, the cable continues connected to the 2nd DECO, but disconnected of the 3rd DECO.

 

All other devides are wireless and with dinamic IP (DHCP).

 

A picture to clarify.

 

 

The Main DECO turns red at least once a day; today, for example, it ocurred twice. There are days when it occurs 2, 3, 4 or 5 times. I am sure it's a DECO problem, cause I have a lot of relatives with the same ISP and their connection is solid. Also, on every contact to the ISP, it informed there was no error by it's side.

 

I can reproduce all you ask me, except making wired tests, cause the switch is also on the ceiling.

 

PS: the Mi Boxes don't have a RJ45 entry, but I use a Ugreen Hub (this: https://www.amazon.com.br/UGREEN-Adaptador-Conversor-compat%C3%ADveis-Chromebook/dp/B00LLUEJFU) on every box to connect via cable.

 

Just a few minutes ago, while I was using one of the Mi Boxes connected to the Main Deco, I noticed there was no connection to the internet, but my Smartphone continues connected to the wi-fi and with internet connection. When I opened the Deco app, I saw that all the devices connected by cable lost connection to the DECO, but my smartphone and the HP Printer, connected via wireless, continue connected (Alienware was shutdown before).

 

By the way, I'm posting via smartphone, still connected to the wi-fi and with internet connection, but I'll have to reebot all the 3 DECO to use again the Mi Box.

 

Here is the new log: https://fastupload.io/TpyxauonmEUQF1I/file

 

  @Thirrony 

 

If still needed i will give a better answer tonight (it's now morning).

 

0. I would not advice this step.

1. Appearantly you dont have a main router besides the m5 decos. That makes this step harder. Otherwise you could have a wired connection to for example a laptop and test a vew things.

2. It's best practice to give a vew examples of date/time.

3. On Android i advice to try the app "pingtools". There you have a option "ping". You can put an ip there. If known you can enter a ip of another device in your network. For ex. Ping a device on the same accespoint (deco). And test one on another accespoint. Also it would be intresting to try and ping outside your network. For ex. 8.8.8.8 (Google). Aspecialy during a disconnect.

 

It's looking for an common denominator. In your last comment it almost sounds like you have issues with your 8 port switch.

During a disconnect, what do the leds do on your switch? Incl the power led of the switch.

  @Er1 

 

Here, it's UTC -3, 12h07.

 

0. Ok.

1. My laptop, as said, is connected via wireless.

2. I'll make sure to give the examples. The problem is there are more people here, so I can't assure that what I think is ocurring is due to what I do or what someone else does, or if it happens randomly and regardless people's actions.

3. I already downloaded the app, version 4.64 Free, on my Xiaomi Smartphone and gave him a look. Cool app, with lots of functions. When the problem happens again, I'll repeat the tests (especially during disconnects).

 

My switch is a TPLINK Gigabit with 16 ports. It is on the ceiling of the office (way lower than the 2nd DECO's), but I'll try to use a stair and see what colors it has before and after a disconnection.

 

Thanks in advance.

Me again. Using the subnet scanner of PingTools, here is the result:

 

Scann subnet 192.168.68.1-192.168.68.254 with 20 threads
192.168.68.243, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.105, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.1, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.244, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.106, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.245, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.107, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.246, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.108, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.247, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.109, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.248, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.110, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.238, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.239, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.240, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.241, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.242, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.100, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.101, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.102, ping: success, ports: not found
192.168.68.103, ping: success, ports: not found
Statistics:
Scanned 254 from 254, found online 22

 

 

100 is the alarm system.

101 is the solar energy system.

102 is the DVR.

103 is the Printer.

104 --> the Alienware (offline)

105 to 110 are the Smartphones.

240 to 244 are the TVs.

245 to 248 are the Mi Boxes.

 

ALL THESE DEVICES ARE SET WITH STATIC IP.

 

192.168.68.1 is the Main Deco; 249 and 250 are the 2nd and 3rd Deco.

 

The great mystery is: who the hell are 238 and 239 devices?

  @David-TP 
  @Er1 

Thanks to everyone.

 

First of all, I must correct a mistake I made. When I said all TVs were wired, I forgot that, in fact, altough I intended to connect it via cable (there is a cable plugged on the SWITCH especially to do it), SONY TV is wireless connected (the cable is unplugged of SONY TV). So, the correct topology is:

 

 

Yesterday, I spent all day home and had no disconnections. But today, after 13h30, I left home to have a lunch, while other people stayed there watching HBO MAX. After lunch, around 14h, still outside, I tried to connect the DECO APP via 4G, and it failed to connect; obviously, it was another disconnection. When I arrived home, I was told that the internet disconnected around 13h40.

 

So, following the tips by fellow  @Er1 , I took a look on the TPLINK SWITCH before and after the disconnection.

 

Before: video filmed yesterday, 22h24:

https://fastupload.io/7paYkW4kAsQ3hbo/file

 

After: video filmed today, 14h33:

https://fastupload.io/aJnlzYYO52sp72u/file

 

After disconnection, and before trying to restart the DECO system, I used the app PingTools and had these results:

 

PING OK
192.168.68.1 - Main DECO (plugged to the MODEM/ONU and the SWITCH)
192.168.68.103 - HP Printer (wireless)
192.168.68.105 - My Smartphone (wireless)
192.168.68.106 - Smartphone (wireless)
192.168.68.107 - Smartphone (wireless)
192.168.68.238 - WHO THE HELL IS THIS? (wireless or wired?) - When i click on it, and then on the SERVICES tab, it says: "Unknown HTTP server on port 80".
192.168.68.239 - WHO THE HELL IS THIS? (wireless or wired?) - When i click on it, and then on the SERVICES tab, it says: "Unknown HTTP server on port 80".

 

PING FAILED - Host Unreachable
192.168.68.100 - Alarm system (wired)
192.168.68.101 - Solar Energy system (wired)
192.168.68.102 - DVR (wired)
192.168.68.104 - Alienware Laptop (wireless)
192.168.68.240 to 244 - TVs (1 SONY, wireless; 4 LG, wired)
192.168.68.245 to 248 - Mi Boxes (wired)
192.168.68.249 and 250 - 2nd and 3rd DECO (each one wired to the SWITCH)

 

IPs 192.168.100 to 104, 240 to 248 were put static by me before; 249 and 250 were put static by the DECO during last installation; 238 and 239 I don't have any idea where they came from.

 

However, as usual, I had no connection to the internet. No page was working, and the PING to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 all failed.

 

Those are the tests I made. I don't know how to solve this! I already tried, weeks ago, reinstalling the DECO network by zero, and the error persists.

 

And, to make things worse, all the attempts to restart the 3 DECOs via DECO app failed. They continue red. Even turning off and turning on their energy on the house's energy panel, they continue red. I'm using the Smartphone's internet to post this.

 

Here is the last log (after the last disconnection):
https://fastupload.io/xJeghVCVoAPs0mk/file