Older Android 7 tablet fails to connect to wireless network

Software SW help
1

I have an older Android tablet here that I’d like to connect to my wireless network, but that doesn’t work. It tires to connect multiple times until the network is listed as “Deactivated”.

Turris syslog shows this entries:

Sep  7 18:00:38 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep  7 18:00:38 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: associated (aid 1)
Sep  7 18:00:38 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: AP-STA-CONNECTED 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx
Sep  7 18:00:38 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx RADIUS: starting accounting session 7[redacted]A
Sep  7 18:00:38 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx WPA: pairwise key handshake completed (RSN)
Sep  7 18:00:38 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: EAPOL-4WAY-HS-COMPLETED 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx
Sep  7 18:00:41 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep  7 18:00:43 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep  7 18:00:43 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: associated (aid 1)
Sep  7 18:00:43 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx RADIUS: starting accounting session 7[redacted]A
Sep  7 18:00:43 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx WPA: pairwise key handshake completed (RSN)
Sep  7 18:00:43 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: EAPOL-4WAY-HS-COMPLETED 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx
Sep  7 18:01:28 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep  7 18:01:34 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep  7 18:01:34 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: associated (aid 1)
Sep  7 18:01:34 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx RADIUS: starting accounting session 7[redacted]A
Sep  7 18:01:34 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx WPA: pairwise key handshake completed (RSN)
[...]
Sep  7 18:09:30 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: AP-STA-DISCONNECTED 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx
Sep  7 18:09:30 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: disassociated due to inactivity
Sep  7 18:09:31 turris hostapd: guest_net_1: STA 08:60:6e:xx:xx:xx IEEE 802.11: deauthenticated due to inactivity (timer DEAUTH/REMOVE)

Turris: TurrisOS 7.0.2
Tablet: Google Nexus 7, Android 7.1.2 (Inofficial LineageOS 14.1-20210313)

Wireles connections to other networks already worked.
Wireless connections to this network with Android 5.1 tablets also work.

What can I do to connect the tablet?

2

If you have wpa2+wpa3 auth, try switching to wpa2 only. Some older devices have problems with the mixed mode, even if it’s called compatibility mode.

1 Like
3

I had a similar problem with an older phone with Android 7. Irregularly disconnected from the site (wpa2 only). I use it all the time to browse the internet and after changing Turris for another router the problem is over.

4

You could also try the alternative wifi drivers (reforis - package management ).

5

First I would do a reset of the wifi settings in reForis - Network Settings - WiFi option at the very bottom.

Next, I would remove any remembered unnecessary wifi networks on the problematic device.

6

Thanks! Indeed, that made it. As I didn’t want to weaken possible security of the existing network(s), I set up a new WPA2 only network, and tablet connected on first try. Thanks a lot!

4 Likes
7

I experienced the same recently on a MOX (mPCIe wifi with ath10k driver). The default WPA3+WPA2 mode is supposed to use WPA2 as fallback but clearly that prevents many devices from connecting.
This is discussed in various places like here where a (dangerous?) workaround is suggested…

8

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