• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Unstable wifi connection

If it is switching you back to the carrier's network when you get the message, go to Settings>WiFi hit the menu button and choose Advanced then uncheck the Auto Network Switch option. I was having the same issue in the office and when I did this, it quit complaining.

Just a quick note, when you do this it stops complaining because it just uses your data plan and not WiFi. For those of us with a limited data plan this could really suck :(
 
Upvote 0
Just a quick note, when you do this it stops complaining because it just uses your data plan and not WiFi. For those of us with a limited data plan this could really suck :(

I think you have it backwards. The way I take it, if it's UNCHECKED, then you aren't constantly switching back forth, it will stick to wifi. If it's CHECKED, then it will switch to your data plan if the device considers your wifi to be "unstable".
 
Upvote 0
I think you have it backwards. The way I take it, if it's UNCHECKED, then you aren't constantly switching back forth, it will stick to wifi. If it's CHECKED, then it will switch to your data plan if the device considers your wifi to be "unstable".

This is correct. I leave WiFi on and when in proximity of a known WiFi connection, it connects like normal. It just doesn't continually complain about the internet connection being poor. The Auto Switch setting is designed to make sure you have good internet access all the time (even at the expense of your data plan.) With if off, the phone does whatever you tell it to do.
 
Upvote 0
I think you have it backwards. The way I take it, if it's UNCHECKED, then you aren't constantly switching back forth, it will stick to wifi. If it's CHECKED, then it will switch to your data plan if the device considers your wifi to be "unstable".

I guess I didn't say it clearly, but that is what i meant, if it is checked and it considers your WiFi connection "unstable" it will eat up your data. I have yet to find a connection it doesn't think is unstable. So as a result I was using data like crazy. I was just trying to warn people what could happen.
 
Upvote 0
I did encounter this issue when I first updated to 4.3 after a clean install. The router reboot fixed my issue (sorry to hear that didn't fix it). Then a Province wide blackout took my network out. l had to do a complete Power Cycle of my entire network to get it going again when power returned.

A power cycle is more involved. You need to turn off all users and network peripherals first. Then the router. The modem last. Then wait 10-30 seconds. Power on the modem first. Then the router after the modem is fully powered. Then the users and network peripherals after the router is fully powered.

Do you get the same issue if using Wi-Fi elsewhere?
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones