Summary
A proactive approach to troubleshooting your Ubiquiti access point setup is essential for boosting the performance and reliability of your wireless network.
Applying these best practices to troubleshoot consistently will help ensure a smooth network experience of excellent quality. This minimizes interruptions and allows you to optimize your network’s performance over time.
Whether you’re using a Ubiquiti wireless access point outdoors, a home network, or a large business environment, these best practices will help prevent connectivity from being disconnected.
Ubiquiti Wireless Access Point technology has gained popularity among personal and commercial users due to its excellent performance and adaptability in home and business network settings.
But like any other technology, even advanced ones like the Ubiquiti outdoor access point can sometimes go out with plain, old-fashioned glitches. If your Ubiquiti access point isn’t working, then this troubleshooting information is for you.
Common issues like connection drops or slow speeds can arise with the setup of the Ubiquiti access point. However, uptime, security, and overall network efficiency can significantly improve these issues.
Recent studies show that over 70% of organizations have experienced increased productivity and reduced operational costs if they proactively manage and solve network disruptions. This practice lets you quickly identify the problem areas causing interference and avoid unnecessary downtime.
In this guide, we’ll review some of the most common problems users experience with Ubiquiti networks’ wireless access points and offer practical steps for resolving them to keep your network running efficiently and reliably.
Connectivity Issues
With any network configuration, you will experience connectivity issues at some point. Among the most prevalent ones are connection drops and slow network speeds.
Let’s examine these problems, identify potential causes, and consider practical solutions to help you keep your network stable and fast.
Connection Drops
Some reasons for connection drop or when devices start losing the connection to the network without any apparent cause include the following:
- Other electronic devices in the proximity of the signal, such as a microwave, cordless phone, or even another Wi-Fi network, cause interference in the signal, which makes it unstable.
- Poorly positioned Ubiquiti wireless access points weaken the signal, and it is not surprising if the disconnections become frequent since they go behind walls, metal, or thick floors.
- Connecting too many devices to one network, usually in high-traffic places, may overload the AP and sometimes result in random disconnections.
- When the AP firmware is not updated or outdated, it might contribute to connectivity problems, such as compatibility or performance issues.
Solutions –
To resolve these issues and stabilize your connection, consider the following steps:
- Place your APs where there are minimal obstructions. They should face an open environment so the signals can travel all directions.
- Identify sources of interference and adjust the AP settings. For instance, you can shift to less busy channels to ensure minimal interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks.
- If you have a much higher number of devices than the designed number, such as a Ubiquiti WiFi access point with 2 ports connected to your network, you should offload some or limit access for non-essential ones at peak usage times.
Slow Network Speeds
Slow Network Speeds are the other widespread issue users experience as a result of:
- Applications like video streaming, gaming, or downloading large files consume a lot of bandwidth, leaving other users to experience a slow network.
- Like connection drops, outdated firmware in access points leads to lesser network performance because newer applications require improved efficiency.
- It can slow down your network in places where multiple Wi-Fi networks’ channels overlap, especially in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
Solutions
Some of the possible solutions that would give you faster networks include the following:
- Most routers provide Quality of Service (QoS) features to customize which applications are more important and should be prioritized to ensure smooth network performance.
- Using channels 1, 6, or 11 on the 2.4 GHz band helps minimize overlap with neighboring networks for interference, especially for Ubiquiti long-range access points. Moreover, running a radio-frequency scan can even help you find the least-congested channels for your setup.
Firmware-Related Problems
Firmware updates are critical maintenance methods for network equipment like Ubiquiti Unifi outdoor access points. They help diagnose bugs, enhance performance, and introduce new features and mechanisms.
So, how do you manage firmware problems?
Update and Maintenance
Keeping firmware up to date is very important.
Updating your firmware involves addressing security vulnerabilities, improving performance, and sometimes implementing new features that could significantly enhance your network experience.
Here is a step-by-step approach to how to ensure your firmware updates go smoothly:
- Before updating your device’s firmware, always take a configuration backup. That way, should your device fail, you’ll quickly recover your preferences with little to no hassle.
- Manufacturers normally provide guidelines on how to update firmware. Following these instructions prevents most issues from arising after crucial details are missed or steps are skipped.
- Sometimes, updates just do not go as they should. An update can fail, or the device may freeze and stop responding. Take some time to familiarize yourself with your specific device’s (such as Ubiquiti Nanostation M2 wireless access point-airMAX) troubleshooting steps, like restarting it in recovery mode or reapplying an update if the first attempt fails.
Rollbacks and Recovery Mode
In some situations, an update causes problems, such as connectivity issues or decreased performance, no matter how hard one tries. To combat such situations, one could easily revert to the previous firmware version.
Here’s how to do it:
- If a firmware update has a massive impact on your network, you must revert to the previous version. Firmware updates sometimes have certain conditions that may arise post-installation, which means the issue might be ignored until the update is carried out. Determine whether or not it is worth the update and if rolling back is necessary.
- Most devices have a recovery mode if they won’t come on or auto-start after an update. This mode often solves the issue by troubleshooting and rolling back a previous firmware version. The manual usually has information on accessing and using recovery mode on most devices.
Authentication Issues
Failed login attempts are one of the most common authentication faults.
They are mainly caused by various factors, including incorrect passwords, misconfigurations of a network policy, and faults of the RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) server itself.
All of these have different strategies for solving the problem.
Causes and Solutions
- The most straightforward problem is a login problem caused by entering an incorrect username or password. Correcting these details usually solves login problems immediately.
- If users cannot log in using their correct credentials, the problem is usually more on the side of network policies. In a computer network, access control policies should be well-configured to provide access to users with authorized rights.
- Authentications by connectors that use a RADIUS server will not succeed if there is an error in the connectivity or configuration settings for the RADIUS server. Therefore, it might be necessary to check the configuration of the Ubiquiti wireless access point setup with the RADIUS server so that it is correctly configured and communicates with the network.
Addressing Captive Portal Challenges
Captive portals are used for guest or public networks to create a secure layer by requiring users to sign in before accessing the internet.
This means there is this layer of security. Sometimes, if not correctly set up, captive portals can hinder users.
However, proper setup of your Ubiquiti WiFi access point can prevent these challenges.
Setup and Troubleshooting
- The Captive Portal is the page users see when connecting to the Internet via a guest network. This page usually asks for login information, acceptance of a user agreement, or other forms of identification.
- Check for captive portal login problems caused by incorrect AP configurations and ensure they are correctly configured. Poorly configured APs may cause problems logging in, thus preventing users from accessing the Internet. Recheck the AP settings as configured for all correct configurations according to your network’s captive portal requirements.
Coverage and Range Problems
While optimizing your wireless network, it is crucial to focus on space coverage. Coverage issues can hinder your network’s performance; however, two critical factors—placement and channel optimization—can improve the setup of your Ubiquiti Wifi access point.
Placement and Physical Obstructions
- The physical placement of your APs maximizes coverage and minimizes interference. This is all related to having good placement. Proper placement will ensure you achieve signal strength across a larger area. Wrong placement means you will have dead zones and weak connections.
- Place your APs in centrally located, elevated spots with minimal physical obstructions. Walls, doors, and large metal objects absorb or deflect WiFi signals, weakening the connection in certain areas. Removing the obstacles around the APs will allow them to penetrate neighboring places with less restriction.
- WiFi survey tools, like Ubiquiti’s WiFiman, can help identify areas with poor signal strength. They can map your network’s coverage and tell you which areas are dead spots or weak spots. Knowing where you lose signal will enable you to place your APs strategically or add more if necessary.
Channel Optimization
- Channel optimization is another critical aspect of reducing interference due to overlap and interference on the same band. WiFi has two major frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Each band has several channels; choosing the right channel can reduce overlap and interference of your Ubiquiti wireless access point outdoor setups.
- For instance, in the 2.4 GHz band, only a few channels do not overlap, like channels 1, 6, and 11. Select these channels to improve stability and prevent interference from other networks that operate in the exact location. Of course, the number of non-overlapping channels is higher in the 5 GHz band; however, here, as well, the selection can be critical for avoiding overcrowded frequencies.
- You can also fine-tune coverage by adequately adjusting the APs’ transmission power so that it does not overlap excessively with neighboring networks. Although a high transmission power is the way to go, you will likely suffer interference from overlapping too much with nearby channels. A Radio Frequency scan can identify which channels are interference-free, allowing you to make fine adjustments in power settings to ensure a smooth and stable network.
Advanced Optimization for Performance Issues
Airtime Fairness is a robust feature that allows bandwidth to be distributed across devices, specifically where the speed or capacity varies from one device to another.
Without this, bandwidth is dominated by faster devices at the cost of their slower counterparts.
Airtime Fairness gives an equal share of “airtime” to each device rather than the same bandwidth; every possible device can connect without becoming a bottleneck.
Here’s how to enable Airtime Fairness:
- Log into your Ubiquiti dashboard and then go to the Advanced Settings screen.
- Click to find Airtime Fairness, which will be one of the options under performance-related.
- Allow Airtime Fairness to be in effect within your network, mainly when many devices are present, or there is a large active mix of devices.
Enabling Airtime Fairness will improve the overall performance of all devices, especially in systems with many people using different devices competing to share bandwidth.
In this manner, Airtime Fairness will ensure smooth browsing and streaming quality for everyone, not just the speedy device users.
Minimizing Latency
Latency can significantly harm network performance, particularly in real-time applications, gaming, and video conferencing, where quick response times are essential.
Modifying the Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) period and other parameters can decrease latency and enhance the network’s responsiveness to traffic.
Here’s how to set DTIM:
- The DTIM period is another control that manages how often data is transmitted from a Ubiquiti WiFi access point to its connected devices. Applications requiring real-time delivery are ideal with low DTIM values, such as 1 or 2.
- General devices that balance performance with efficiency and battery can use a 2 DTIM interval. However, devices that require absolute responses will require an interval of 1.
- While Auto-Optimize may be helpful in a general network setting, it tends to meddle too much in high-performance settings. Manually optimizing each setting will lead to a better network with less latency and fewer operational issues.
These settings will enable you to configure your network with more demanding usage without latency, improving performance. Implementing airtime fairness and latency management will help you achieve high traffic on any wireless network with varied device types without speed or reliability loss.
Hardware and Cable-Related Troubleshooting
Addressing hardware and cable will ensure a seamless network experience.
Here is a closer look at how you can efficiently troubleshoot the network’s hardware components without causing trouble.
Cable Quality and Power Supply
Your power supply’s stability and Ethernet cable quality are two of the most often disregarded factors contributing to network breakdown of your Ubiquiti long range access points.
Here are some things to look out for:
- Ethernet cables deteriorate over time upon exposure to bending, pinching, or the elements. Inferior-quality or damaged cables may restrict bandwidth and network speed or cause spotty connection reliability. To eliminate the problem, inspecting for signs of deterioration or testing connections with known-good cables is advisable.
- The power source could be the limiting factor for Power over Ethernet (PoE) installations. Secure and stabilize all your power connections. Loose connections can cause power interruptions to devices like APs. Be sure that the power source, often a PoE switch or injector, is rated to deliver adequate power for your device’s needs.
These small preventive actions will prevent minor issues from becoming significant distractions when considering high-quality cables and stable power connections.
Identifying Faulty Devices
Besides cables and power, faults sometimes arise from the device itself. Here’s how you can realize poor hardware signs:
- Uptime monitoring may be one of the best indicators of problems with your Access Point hardware. If you discover that your device is generally resetting itself or disconnecting frequently, then something is wrong. Most APs come with either built-in diagnostic tools or logs that can be consulted to identify frequent reboots or error messages.
- Resets at odd times may indicate power-related problems or internal hardware malfunctions in your Ubiquiti networks’ wireless access points. Check if such resets happen during high-traffic loads or any other network activity. Old firmware might also be a source of instability; therefore, AP firmware must be up-to-date as part of a basic troubleshooting process.
By scrutinizing these hardware aspects, potential problems can be detected and corrected early, resulting in a more reliable network setup.
Tips for Long-Term Maintenance and Network Health
An undisrupted network can be maintained appropriately by addressing the hardware and cable problems.
Here are some effective troubleshooting techniques for ensuring that the physical components are not disrupting your network.
Cable Quality and Power Supply
One of the most underrated reasons for network slowdowns is the quality of your Ethernet cables and the stability of your power supply. Here’s what you should look for:
- Ethernet cables degrade over time, much as any other cable. If they have been bent, pinched, or exposed to the weather, check for signs of wear and tear or test connections with known working cables to rule out faulty cables as the problem.
- If your deployment uses PoE, the power supply is a bottleneck. Check all power connections are tight and secure. The loosening of even one connection can drop or degrade the AP or other device’s power supply. Ensure that your power source, usually a PoE switch or injector, has a high enough rating to supply what your device needs.
By taking your time to ensure you have quality cables and stable power connections, you can help avoid minor issues from turning into more extensive system disruptions.
Identifying Faulty Devices
More than mere cables or power issues, device-related matters can cause significant impairment to network performance. Here’s how one can detect faulty hardware:
- Testing access point uptime is one of the best ways to diagnose hardware failure. If the device resets often or disconnects, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Most APs come with built-in diagnostic tools or logs that you can use to check for frequent reboots or error messages.
- When your AP infrequently and unexpectedly reset, there could be power supply issues or internal hardware faults. If you correlate these resets with high traffic loads or other network activities, chances are it may still be a power supply-related issue. Sometimes, old firmware may also cause instability; hence, update your AP firmware while troubleshooting.
This will help you identify and rectify potential problems early, thus building a more stable and reliable network setup.
