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D-Link Range Extenders => DAP-1860 => Topic started by: mikeduncan177 on November 03, 2017, 12:50:06 PM

Title: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on November 03, 2017, 12:50:06 PM
Seeing a problem with my DAP-1860 as a WiFi extender working with a D-Link DIR-890L.  I am still trying to diagnose exactly what is happening, but hoping that someone else has seen this strange behavior.

When an iPhone client is connected to the Extender, it can see devices connected to the Router (ethernet and wifi) UNTIL suddenly it doesn't!  Confirmed this by Ping using ip address.  I can get it back by either re-connecting the WiFi to the Extender or (at worst case) by restarting the Extender.  It happens randomly, but I can guarantee it will occur within 4 hours.

Here is a little more information on what I have found:
I would appreciate any suggestions on how to further troubleshoot this issue.  Is it possible to activate Logs on these D-Link devices?
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on November 03, 2017, 12:53:10 PM
Link>Welcome! (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=49573.0)

  Link> >FW Update Process (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=42457.0)

Does disabling SC and setting manual channel 11 on 2.4Ghz and manual channel on 5ghz with single modes exhibit differences?

What is the distance between the extender and DIR router?
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on November 03, 2017, 04:52:58 PM
I am in the North America region (USA)

I followed the Update Process (same as your  link), so Yes I did Factory Reset before and after.

Yes, Router/Extender were working fine before firmware update on 890L

Router - Extender distance is 55ft, with one internal stud/sheet-rock wall between them.  Signal level shown on Extender is 3 out of 3 bars.

I will check the manual channel settings that you suggested, and let you know the results.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on November 04, 2017, 10:31:53 AM
Ok, let us know. If the problem continues, I like you to load back the v1.11 FW on the 890L and then test again. There maybe some issues with v1.20. D-Link is reviewing things now with it.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on November 05, 2017, 04:55:10 PM
I decided to make sure I had a good config.bin which I had used to restore settings after upgrading to FW 1.20.  I rebuilt the configuration from scratch and I am still seeing the problem.
Quote
Does disabling SC and setting manual channel 11 on 2.4Ghz and manual channel on 5ghz with single modes exhibit differences?
I did not quite understand exactly what you wanted me to do here....are to talking about the link between DAP-1860 Extender and the DIR-890L Router?

I like your idea of rolling back to FW 1.11 on the Router and seeing if the problem exists.  I have the 1.10 and 1.11 bin files, but don't know how to override the safety feature the prevents down-grading the firmware.

When I see the problem, I have determined some conditions that may be relevant to troubleshooting:
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on November 06, 2017, 08:20:32 AM
Follow this and go back to 1.11:
 Emergency Recovery Mode (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=44909.msg163599#msg163599)
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on November 07, 2017, 01:31:35 PM
In spite of following the Emergency Recovery Mode instructions to the "letter", I have a "bricked" DIR-890L!!!!

Got to the point where Router's Amber power lamp is blinking and I did confirm that my client PC (Window 10 Home) can ping the Router successfully.  But http://192.168.0.1 does not get a response from the Router in Firefox (56.0.2) or Internet Explorer (11.15.16299.0).

Normal power up sequence doesn't get me to the Router's Control pages either.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on November 07, 2017, 02:56:57 PM
Which browser did you use?

Can you still get to the recovery mode and try to send the v1.20 FW file?

Be sure to use IE11 or FF browsers and disable any PC security add-ons and software.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on November 07, 2017, 08:48:56 PM
Problem solved....have down-graded FW to 1.11.

Will now monitor to see if the sub-net disconnect happens with this version of Router FW.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on November 07, 2017, 08:50:51 PM
Do you know what the problem was when you attempted the first downgrade?
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on November 07, 2017, 09:00:40 PM
This may apply only to certain routers, but the DIR-890L requires that you hold the Reset for at least 10 seconds.

Your Emergency Flashing How-To instructions were great and I followed them to the letter.  In Step 6, I was letting go when the Amber light started blinking.  That wasn't long enough.  I opened a case with D-Link Support and they told me this.  I confirmed it was also true to get the Factory Reset to complete.  So from a bricked device, I was able to get back working with FW 1.20, then I got Router into Recovery Mode (by holding reset longer) and upgrade to 1.10 (last marked Full FW version), then step up to 1.11.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on November 07, 2017, 09:03:17 PM
AH, ok. Glad they helped you out. I'll make note of this in the Recovery FAQ.

Thank you. Keep us posted on how it goes...if its better, there maybe problems in the v1.20...I'm running my 890L in AP mode with v1.20 however using a non D-Link extender and seems to be ok. I haven't noticed any issues...yet.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on November 13, 2017, 10:20:19 AM
It has been six days since I down-graded my 890L Router from FW 1.20 to 1.11 to see if it had any effect on the "disconnect" problem with the DAP-1860 Extender.

Conclusion:  Since I have not seen any problem, I have to conclude that there is something in the FW1.20 that is causing the sub-net disconnect.

Re-cap of the problem I saw with FW 1.20 in 890L Router:

I would be happy to work with someone from D-Link, but I think this issue is beyond First-Level Support.  Hopefully, your contacts at D-Link can work this issue.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on November 13, 2017, 10:27:08 AM
I see there is v1.02 FW for the DAP available. Only thing would need to be tested is this version of FW with the 890L v1.20 to see if problem still happens.  :-\
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on November 13, 2017, 12:42:50 PM
Ok, my Extender is at FW 1.01, so I guess I need to go through a rigorous testing process....upgrade Extender & see if stable with Router 1.11, then upgrade Router to 1.20.  At least, I can now down-grade the router successfully if it doesn't work!!

I'll work on this over the next few days and let you know the results.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on November 13, 2017, 03:58:07 PM
 ;)
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on June 12, 2018, 11:58:49 AM
Any progress on this?  ???

Ok, my Extender is at FW 1.01, so I guess I need to go through a rigorous testing process....upgrade Extender & see if stable with Router 1.11, then upgrade Router to 1.20.  At least, I can now down-grade the router successfully if it doesn't work!!

I'll work on this over the next few days and let you know the results.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on August 11, 2018, 09:38:30 PM
Ever since I "downgraded" FW on the DIR890L to version 1.11, I have not seen the problem.

I have upgraded the DAP-1860 Extender's FW to 1.04 and have not seen the issue.

I don't plan on doing any other testing, since my WiFi network is now good enough around the whole house.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on August 12, 2018, 11:35:58 AM
I'll pass this on to D-Link for review.
Thanks for updating.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: GreenBay42 on August 13, 2018, 09:13:44 AM
The 1.20 firmware on the 890L did fix Wi-Fi security issues so maybe it is buggy with the extender. I can request a test with the techs.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on August 13, 2018, 09:40:44 AM
Would be good to know if this is reproducible.  ???
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on August 13, 2018, 12:30:05 PM
The 1.20 firmware on the 890L did fix Wi-Fi security issues so maybe it is buggy with the extender. I can request a test with the techs.

GreenBay42, I really would appreciate you requesting further testing on this. I really don't want to run my DIR-890L Router on insecure firmware. When I reported this issue over 6 months ago, it was very reproducible!!
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on August 13, 2018, 12:41:28 PM
FYI, the older version of FW is not insecure, unless you run the 890L in AP mode. Its safe in router mode. I'm sure D-Link is working on testing and will get something planned for a fix as soon as possible. Please be patient.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: GreenBay42 on August 13, 2018, 01:08:10 PM
The DIR-890L was NOT affected by the KRACK issue, BUT the 1.20 firmware fixed a bunch of exploits.

Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: GreenBay42 on August 13, 2018, 01:36:50 PM
Mike, have you tried the 1.21 BETA firmware for the 890L?  I understand if you do not want to try since the crash recovery process on the 890L is less than fun.

I have a 1860 and will test tonight at home (with the 890L). I will let you know my results tomorrow.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: GreenBay42 on August 14, 2018, 07:28:05 AM
I ran the 1860 (firmware 1.04) for 9 hours last night connected to my 890L (1.20 firmware) and did not receive any drops. I connected a camera and my phone (android) to the extender over night. It is currently at home with 2 mydlink cameras connected (they always send traffic to the mydlink servers so I will get notified if they drop during the day). 
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on August 14, 2018, 08:16:21 AM
Sounds like I should try upgrading my 890L Router to 1.20 and see if I see my original problem again.  I was using FW 1.01 in the 1860 when I saw this problem originally, so maybe that was the issue.

Will let you know.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: GreenBay42 on August 14, 2018, 08:27:31 AM
Yes definitely update the 1860 to 1.04. This includes the KRACK security fix where 1.02 did not.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: mikeduncan177 on August 15, 2018, 03:38:03 PM
I updated the Router (DIR-890L) to FW 1.20B01 last night.

So far I am not seeing any issues with client iPhone connected to WiFi through the Expander (DAP-1860), which has been at FW 1.04 for sometime, since I wanted to correct for the KRACK exploit.

When I first reported the issue, the Expander was at FW 1.01. 

I will monitor over the next few days and if I don't see any more issues, we can consider this closed out.
Title: Re: Expander randomly "disconnects" from sub-net
Post by: FurryNutz on August 15, 2018, 04:14:09 PM
 ;)