Multiple Deco M4R go offline when downloading via Wifi
I have 4 Deco M4R devices: living room (wired), bedroom #1 (wifi), bedroom #2 (wired) and garden (wifi), which have been working fine for a long time.
However, just this week I started noticing that I can't download large files via my laptop anymore: downloads were interrupted. Today I noticed that during downloads most or sometimes all Deco's dropped offline, and my devices were scanning for networks again.
I have 26 devices connected via the Deco's, which has increased the past year. The last time I downloaded large files might be longer ago, but connectivity issues have been noticed multiple times before in the past months via mobile phones already.
Why are the Deco's suddenly dropping offline when I put the wifi under load, the Deco's haven't received firmware upgrades for a long time, as they are on the latest version.
Kind regards,
Raymond
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@Raymond175 Is there a particular reason for 2 of the M4s being wired & the other two not wired?
What's the hardware version of the M4s? "the Decos haven't received firmware upgrades for a long time" is subjective to the hardware version.
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@ImtiazAli I can't find the hardware version in the app, but on the bottom of my wired devices is v4 listed, on my wifi devices v3.
Today we were casting Spotify via the Chromecast, which stopped playing for a few seconds every minute. Trying to cast YouTube had similar issues. Restarting the Chromecast did not solve the issue, restarting the Deco network did.
When looking at the network stats in the Deco app, I did not see abnormal data going through the network this time (I wasn't downloading), and the wifi devices were having maximum coverage. The Chromecast was connected to the wired Deco.
I really have a feeling that something's wrong with the Decos, as restarting them seems to be the (temporary) solution to a lot of network issues here nowadays.
Edit: I forgot to check if the phones used for casting were connected to a wired or wifi device when the issue happened, but now that it works I'm conected to the same wired device as the Chromecast. I will keep an eye on this the next time.
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Today I downloaded while being wired on the main Deco, and it again brought the whole network down, including another wired Deco.
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@Raymond175 Which gen Chromecast is it? You need to be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting using Chromecast.
The latest firmware version for M4 V4 is 1.1.2, for V3 it's 1.6.1.
You still haven't answered why 2 of the Decos are wired & the other two are not.
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@ImtiazAli I'm sorry, I thought I did answer, but I saw I didn't. The two Decos which are connected via wifi are in places where I don't have a wired network available.
Yesterday I had a talk with the TP Link service desk, and I came to some insights:
- The Deco light turns red for a while, indicating that "it has a problem"
- The logs show a "Received SIGTERM":
Kind regards,
Raymond
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Here are some trouble shooting steps below if none of them fix your issue please get back to us TY.
Step 1: Rule out your ISP and check cables
- Test your modem: Connect a computer directly to your internet service provider's (ISP) modem, bypassing the Deco system completely. Run a speed test or download a large file. If the internet still disconnects, the problem is with your ISP, modem, or the connection to your home.
- Inspect cables: Make sure the Ethernet cable connecting your main Deco unit to your modem is secure, undamaged, and not exposed. A faulty cable can cause dropped packets during high-capacity transfers.
Step 2: Manage network load with QoS
The Quality of Service (QoS) feature in the Deco app can help prevent your network from being overwhelmed by a single activity.
- Open the Deco app and tap the "More" icon.
- Tap on QoS.
- Set a high priority for the device you are using for the download.
- If the issue persists, you may need to reduce your overall bandwidth allocation for "High Priority" tasks to see if it stabilizes the network.
Step 3: Check for software and settings conflicts
- Update firmware: Make sure all your Deco units are running the latest firmware. Updates often contain fixes for stability problems. In the Deco app, go to More > Update Deco.
- Disable advanced features: Some Deco features, while helpful for day-to-day use, can cause instability under high load. Go to More > Advanced in the Deco app and try disabling the following:
- Fast Roaming: This is not needed for stationary devices.
- Beamforming: Directs signals to specific devices, which can sometimes become a source of instability.
- Change DNS settings: DNS query issues are sometimes responsible for dropped connections. Try using a public DNS server:
- In the Deco app, navigate to More > Internet Connection > IPv4.
- Change DNS Address to Manual.
- Set the primary DNS to
8.8.8.8and the secondary to8.8.4.4(Google DNS), or use1.1.1.1and1.0.0.1(Cloudflare DNS).
Step 4: Address hardware issues
- Cool down the unit: Overheating is a common problem for routers under heavy, sustained load. Make sure your Deco units have good airflow and are not confined in a small space.
- Use a UPS: Power fluctuations can cause the Deco to reboot unexpectedly, disrupting downloads. Connecting your unit to an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) can provide stable power.
Step 5: Last resort factory reset
If none of the above steps resolve the problem, the issue may be due to a corrupted setting.
- Factory reset the Deco system:
- Hold the reset button on the bottom of the main Deco unit until the LED blinks red.
- Follow the instructions in the Deco app to set up your network again from scratch.
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@HelpFixDecoApp MY HERO!
I replaced the cable between my modem and main Deco, and the connectivity issues went away! But not only that, also my download speed went (back) up from 11 MB to 45 MB/s, as how it used to be.
I really appreciate all your help here, and I hope this post will help some others with the same issue later.
Kind regards,
Raymond
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