Losing Wifi hotspot when connecting to signal

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The discussion centers on issues with maintaining a WiFi hotspot connection from a PC to a smartphone. Users report that the PC's connection drops when the phone attempts to connect, possibly due to ISP restrictions or hardware limitations. Suggestions include using a proper router with NAT and DHCP capabilities instead of relying on a USB WiFi adapter. The conversation highlights the confusion surrounding network configurations and the need for compatible devices to ensure stable connections. Overall, a reliable router setup is recommended for better performance and connectivity.
  • #31
jack action said:
I already spent blindly 13 $CAD and now my next option is to spend 20 $CAD (+ a 15 km trip) for a used router (like this one) found on a local classified ad.
It is unlikely to work. Your ISP only allows equipment it provides on the network you are on.
 
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  • #32
Vanadium 50 said:
So do I, but they could definitely be dropping packets from your phone.
Yes, this.
Vanadium 50 said:
Sure you don't just want to spend $13?
Won't stop them dropping Android packets if that's what they are doing.
 
  • #33
pbuk said:
Your ISP only allows equipment it provides on the network you are on.
Is this a statement about the OP's ISP? Because if so, I am puzzled, since they give instructions on how to add a third party router to their modem.
 
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  • #34
Vanadium 50 said:
Is this a statement about the OP's ISP?
Yes.
Vanadium 50 said:
Because if so, I am puzzled, since they give instructions on how to add a third party router to their modem.
Not on the page I read, it specifically forbade this. I'll send PM.
 
  • #35
here is a copy of dmesg (It is only the last part of a longer output. At this point the phone is on and the connection is constantly opening and closing):

Code: 
               usb_endpoint_descriptor(0):
[ 8470.283222] RTL871X: bLength=7
[ 8470.283223] RTL871X: bDescriptorType=5
[ 8470.283224] RTL871X: bEndpointAddress=81
[ 8470.283225] RTL871X: wMaxPacketSize=512
[ 8470.283225] RTL871X: bInterval=0
[ 8470.283226] RTL871X: RT_usb_endpoint_is_bulk_in = 1
[ 8470.283227] RTL871X:
               usb_endpoint_descriptor(1):
[ 8470.283227] RTL871X: bLength=7
[ 8470.283228] RTL871X: bDescriptorType=5
[ 8470.283229] RTL871X: bEndpointAddress=2
[ 8470.283229] RTL871X: wMaxPacketSize=512
[ 8470.283230] RTL871X: bInterval=0
[ 8470.283231] RTL871X: RT_usb_endpoint_is_bulk_out = 2
[ 8470.283231] RTL871X:
               usb_endpoint_descriptor(2):
[ 8470.283232] RTL871X: bLength=7
[ 8470.283233] RTL871X: bDescriptorType=5
[ 8470.283233] RTL871X: bEndpointAddress=3
[ 8470.283234] RTL871X: wMaxPacketSize=512
[ 8470.283234] RTL871X: bInterval=0
[ 8470.283235] RTL871X: RT_usb_endpoint_is_bulk_out = 3
[ 8470.283236] RTL871X: nr_endpoint=3, in_num=1, out_num=2

[ 8470.283237] RTL871X: USB_SPEED_HIGH
[ 8470.283239] RTL871X: CHIP TYPE: RTL8188FU
[ 8470.286149] RTL871X: rtw_hal_config_rftype RF_Type is 3 TotalTxPath is 1
[ 8470.286152] RTL871X: Chip Version Info: CHIP_8188F_Normal_Chip_SMIC_B_CUT_1T1R_RomVer(0)
[ 8470.286154] RTL871X: _ConfigChipOutEP_8188F OutEpQueueSel(0x05), OutEpNumber(2)
[ 8470.289128] RTL871X: EEPROM type is E-FUSE
[ 8470.298127] RTL871X: Boot from EFUSE, Autoload OK !
[ 8470.307123] RTL871X: hal_EfuseSwitchToBank: Efuse switch bank to 0
[ 8473.470787] RTL871X: hal_ReadEFuse_WiFi: data end at address=0x74
[ 8473.473799] RTL871X: EEPROM VID = 0x bda
[ 8473.473801] RTL871X: EEPROM PID = 0xf179
[ 8473.473808] RTL871X: hal_com_config_channel_plan chplan:0x20
[ 8473.473810] RTL871X: Hal_EfuseParsePowerSavingMode_8188F...bHWPwrPindetect(0)-bHWPowerdown(0) ,bSupportRemoteWakeup(1)
[ 8473.473811] RTL871X: ### PS params=>  power_mgnt(0),usbss_enable(0) ###
[ 8473.515751] RTL871X: kfree Pwr Trim flag:1
[ 8473.515753] RTL871X: bb_gain:3
[ 8473.584705] usb 1-2: request firmware rtlwifi/rtl8188fufw.bin
[ 8473.584767] usb 1-2: request firmware rtlwifi/rtl8188fufw.bin loaded
[ 8473.584770] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload: fw_ver=4 fw_subver=0000 sig=0x88f1, Month=08, Date=22, Hour=17, Minute=36
[ 8473.584771] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload(): Shift for fw header!
[ 8473.584772] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload by IO write!
[ 8474.648924] RTL871X: polling_fwdl_chksum: Checksum report OK! (1, 4ms), REG_MCUFWDL:0x00050105
[ 8474.684887] RTL871X: _8051Reset8188: Finish
[ 8474.699872] RTL871X: _FWFreeToGo: Polling FW ready OK! (5, 44ms), REG_MCUFWDL:0x000501c6
[ 8474.699874] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload: DLFW OK !
[ 8474.699875] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload success. write_fw:1, 1116ms
[ 8474.702874] RTL871X:  <=== rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload()
[ 8474.747843] RTL871X: CardDisableRTL8188FU
[ 8474.859729] RTL871X: hal_read_mac_hidden_rpt OK! (1, 156ms), fwdl:1, id:0x19
[ 8474.859732] RTL871X: InitAdapterVariablesByPROM_8188FU(): REPLACEMENT = 0
[ 8474.859734] RTL871X: rtw_hal_read_chip_info in 4576 ms
[ 8474.859817] RTL871X: init_channel_set((null)) ChannelPlan ID:0x20, ch num:13
[ 8474.859991] RTL871X: NR_RECVBUFF: 8
[ 8474.859992] RTL871X: MAX_RECVBUF_SZ: 32768
[ 8474.859996] RTL871X: NR_PREALLOC_RECV_SKB: 8
[ 8474.860121] RTL871X: rtw_alloc_macid((null)) if1, hwaddr:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff macid:1
[ 8474.860128] RTL871X: Init_ODM_ComInfo_8188f(): fab_ver=0 cut_ver=1
[ 8474.860137] RTL871X: phy_ConfigBBWithPgParaFile(): No File PHY_REG_PG.txt, Load from HWImg Array!
[ 8474.860141] RTL871X: default power by rate loaded
[ 8474.860314] RTL871X: pwrctrlpriv.bSupportRemoteWakeup~~~~~~
[ 8474.860315] RTL871X: pwrctrlpriv.bSupportRemoteWakeup~~~[1]~~~
[ 8474.860316] RTL871X: can't get autopm:
[ 8474.860319] RTL871X: rtw_macaddr_cfg mac addr:1c:bf:ce:ea:02:02
[ 8474.860320] RTL871X: bDriverStopped:True, bSurpriseRemoved:False, bup:0, hw_init_completed:0
[ 8474.860336] RTL871X: rtw_wiphy_alloc(phy11)
[ 8474.860339] RTL871X: rtw_wdev_alloc(padapter=0000000067c8d72c)
[ 8474.860340] RTL871X: rtw_wiphy_register(phy11)
[ 8474.860457] RTL871X: rtw_ndev_init(wlan0) if1 mac_addr=1c:bf:ce:ea:02:02
[ 8474.860781] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8474.861637] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8474.884033] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8474.884050] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_dump_station(wlan0)
[ 8474.884051] RTL871X: Station is not found
[ 8474.904838] rtl8188fu 1-2:1.0 wlx1cbfceea0202: renamed from wlan0
[ 8474.927747] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8474.927759] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_dump_station(wlx1cbfceea0202)
[ 8474.927760] RTL871X: Station is not found
[ 8474.934438] RTL871X: +871x_drv - drv_open, bup=0
[ 8474.996612] RTL871X:  power-on :REG_SYS_CLKR 0x09=0xfc. REG_CR 0x100=0x3f.
[ 8474.996614] RTL871X:  MAC has already power on.
[ 8475.026596] usb 1-2: request firmware rtlwifi/rtl8188fufw.bin
[ 8475.026652] usb 1-2: request firmware rtlwifi/rtl8188fufw.bin loaded
[ 8475.026656] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload: fw_ver=4 fw_subver=0000 sig=0x88f1, Month=08, Date=22, Hour=17, Minute=36
[ 8475.026656] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload(): Shift for fw header!
[ 8475.026657] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload by IO write!
[ 8476.090844] RTL871X: polling_fwdl_chksum: Checksum report OK! (1, 4ms), REG_MCUFWDL:0x00050105
[ 8476.126806] RTL871X: _8051Reset8188: Finish
[ 8476.141782] RTL871X: _FWFreeToGo: Polling FW ready OK! (5, 44ms), REG_MCUFWDL:0x000501c6
[ 8476.141784] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload: DLFW OK !
[ 8476.141785] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload success. write_fw:1, 1112ms
[ 8476.144792] RTL871X:  <=== rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload()
[ 8476.144794] RTL871X: fw download ok!
[ 8476.501517] RTL871X: PHY_MACConfig8188F OK!
[ 8477.340865] RTL871X: PHY_BBConfig8188F OK!
[ 8478.120328] RTL871X: PHY_RFConfig8188F OK!
[ 8478.339185] RTL871X: usb_AggSettingRxUpdate: RX Aggregation USB mode, size=20KB, timeout=1024us
[ 8478.686892] RTL871X: pDM_Odm TxPowerTrackControl = 1
[ 8478.690150] RTL871X: pDM_Odm TxPowerTrackControl = 1
[ 8480.221991] RTL871X: rtl8188fu_hal_init in 5288ms
[ 8480.468564] RTL871X: #### hw_var_set_opmode() -5007 iface_type(0) mode = 2 ####
[ 8480.480837] RTL871X: rtw_rf_get_kfree_tx_gain_offset path:0, ch:6, bb_gain_sel:0, kfree_offset:3
[ 8480.501788] RTL871X: kfree gain_offset 0x55:0x82060
[ 8480.546538] RTL871X:  after :0x8e070
[ 8480.546541] RTL871X: MAC Address = 1c:bf:ce:ea:02:02
[ 8480.546679] RTL871X: rtw_cfg80211_init_wiphy:rf_type=3
[ 8480.546681] RTL871X: [HT] HAL Support STBC = 0x01
[ 8480.546688] RTL871X: -871x_drv - drv_open, bup=1
[ 8480.548135] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_set_power_mgmt(wlx1cbfceea0202) enabled:0, timeout:-1
[ 8480.549663] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8480.549688] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_dump_station(wlx1cbfceea0202)
[ 8480.549689] RTL871X: Station is not found
[ 8480.550243] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8480.554945] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8480.554975] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8480.555109] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8480.555126] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8480.555578] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_get_txpower
[ 8480.570266] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_flush_pmksa(wlx1cbfceea0202)
[ 8480.611453] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_scan(wlx1cbfceea0202)
[ 8480.611461] RTL871X: rtw_cfg80211_set_probe_req_wpsp2pie(wlx1cbfceea0202) listen channel - country:XX, class:81, ch:1
[ 8485.924539] RTL871X: survey done event(8) band:0 for wlx1cbfceea0202
[ 8485.924561] RTL871X: rtw_indicate_scan_done(wlx1cbfceea0202)
[ 8485.925831] RTL871X: ==>rtw_ps_processor .fw_state(8)
[ 8485.925833] RTL871X: ==>ips_enter cnts:1
[ 8485.925834] RTL871X: nolinked power save enter
[ 8485.925835] RTL871X: ===> rtw_ips_pwr_down......
[ 8485.925836] RTL871X: ====> rtw_ips_dev_unload...
[ 8485.937948] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_set_power_mgmt(wlx1cbfceea0202) enabled:1, timeout:-1
[ 8485.942879] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_change_iface(wlx1cbfceea0202) type=3
[ 8485.942880] RTL871X: cfg80211_rtw_change_iface(wlx1cbfceea0202) call netdev_open
[ 8485.942882] RTL871X: +871x_drv - drv_open, bup=1
[ 8485.942883] RTL871X: -871x_drv - drv_open, bup=1
[ 8485.942885] RTL871X: _rtw_pwr_wakeup wait ps_processing...
[ 8485.948470] RTL871X: usb_read_port_cancel
[ 8485.948676] RTL871X: usb_read_port_complete() RX Warning! bDriverStopped(False) OR bSurpriseRemoved(False)
[ 8485.948926] RTL871X: usb_read_port_complete() RX Warning! bDriverStopped(False) OR bSurpriseRemoved(False)
[ 8485.949196] RTL871X: usb_read_port_complete() RX Warning! bDriverStopped(False) OR bSurpriseRemoved(False)
[ 8485.949467] RTL871X: usb_read_port_complete() RX Warning! bDriverStopped(False) OR bSurpriseRemoved(False)
[ 8485.949741] RTL871X: usb_read_port_complete() RX Warning! bDriverStopped(False) OR bSurpriseRemoved(False)
[ 8485.950170] RTL871X: usb_read_port_complete() RX Warning! bDriverStopped(False) OR bSurpriseRemoved(False)
[ 8485.950443] RTL871X: usb_read_port_complete() RX Warning! bDriverStopped(False) OR bSurpriseRemoved(False)
[ 8485.950709] RTL871X: usb_read_port_complete() RX Warning! bDriverStopped(False) OR bSurpriseRemoved(False)
[ 8485.950715] RTL871X: usb_write_port_cancel
[ 8485.950729] RTL871X: ==> rtl8188fu_hal_deinit
[ 8485.962494] RTL871X: CardDisableRTL8188FU
[ 8486.382202] RTL871X: <=== rtw_ips_pwr_down..... in 456ms
[ 8486.382208] RTL871X: _rtw_pwr_wakeup wait ps_processing done
[ 8486.382210] RTL871X: _rtw_pwr_wakeup call ips_leave...
[ 8486.382211] RTL871X: ==>ips_leave cnts:1
[ 8486.382212] RTL871X: ===>  rtw_ips_pwr_up.....
[ 8486.382219] RTL871X: ===> ips_netdrv_open...
[ 8486.445110] RTL871X:  power-on :REG_SYS_CLKR 0x09=0xfc. REG_CR 0x100=0x3f.
[ 8486.445112] RTL871X:  MAC has already power on.
[ 8486.475153] usb 1-2: request firmware rtlwifi/rtl8188fufw.bin
[ 8486.475221] usb 1-2: request firmware rtlwifi/rtl8188fufw.bin loaded
[ 8486.475224] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload: fw_ver=4 fw_subver=0000 sig=0x88f1, Month=08, Date=22, Hour=17, Minute=36
[ 8486.475225] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload(): Shift for fw header!
[ 8486.475226] RTL871X: rtl8188f_FirmwareDownload by IO write!
 
  • #36
That doesn't look healthy. A Google search on the message string shows that many people are struggling with that driver.

I'd spend the $13.
 
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  • #37
jack action said:
...the hotspot network rapidly disconnects by itself in my PC.
What does this even mean? What is being disconnected and how do you know? A network is something outside your PC, not inside. Your wording (here and earlier) implies something is going wrong with the hotspot device or software before you even connect your phone to it. What exactly are you seeing? An error message?
 
  • #38
jack action said:
here is a copy of dmesg (It is only the last part of a longer output. At this point the phone is on and the connection is constantly opening and closing):
After wading through the messages, it seems to me that the WiFi USB interface shuts down because it cannot get enough power to transmit. My first guess would be that your WiFi USB interface is not connected directly to your PC (you cannot use an unpowered USB hub).
 
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  • #39
In a PM with @pbuk , we came to the conclusion of buying a used router that should be good for my needs, and that I found on a local classified ad for 20 $CAD. I'm supposed to get it tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thank you all for your help.
 
  • #40
Svein said:
it seems to me that the WiFi USB interface shuts down because it cannot get enough power to transmit
Are you sure? I looked at the messages, briefly at the source and other people's complaints and it seems more like going into some power-save mode when it shouldn't. Not only is it happening here, but it is a common problem. Sometimes even updating a kernel can cause it.

In any event, the $20 router is likely the right fix.
 
  • #41
I got the used router for 20 $CAD (TP-Link N600) today. The installation was basically plug'n'play and I got wifi now.

Thanks everyone for your help.
 
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  • #42
That's great. I notice you were worried upthread about neighbors trying to connect to your WiFi. TP-Link broadcasts its station ID (SSID) by default; you can change that by following the instructions at https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2653/ (change the SSIDs to something only you know and hide them all). This does make it harder to add new devices (you have to enter the SSID on the phone or whatever instead of selecting it from a list), but that is the idea!
 
  • #43
pbuk said:
That's great. I notice you were worried upthread about neighbors trying to connect to your WiFi. TP-Link broadcasts its station ID (SSID) by default; you can change that by following the instructions at https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2653/ (change the SSIDs to something only you know and hide them all). This does make it harder to add new devices (you have to enter the SSID on the phone or whatever instead of selecting it from a list), but that is the idea!
I didn't know that; and now it's done.
 
  • #44
Having a strong password is more important than hiding the SSID (which is an example of "security through obscurity"). If your password is "123456" or "password", hiding the SSID is not going to make you secure. If your password is 9j&Z017N4k3NZ1yi#Ted. things are more secure. Well, not any more after I posted it, but you get the idea.

Entering that in your phone from the phone's keyboard will not be fun. But you only need to do it once.

It's worth pointing out that hiding the SSID doesn't really hide the SSID. What it does is prevent the router from announcing its presence "Here is my SSID! Come connect to me!" But `there are a number of other ways to find the SSID.
 
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