Why is my WiFi network shown twice with different SSIDs on my tablet?

2

I have a ASUS VivoTab Smart Windows 8 tablet and a home WiFi network (the router is a TP-LINK WR1043ND). The Internet hardly works on the tablet - it drops the connection, sometimes cannot connect, etc.

Recently, I have figured out that it shows two networks with the same signal strength. It is 100% certain that this "new" network one is not one of my neighbors', but mine. The SSID set at the router is myNetwork, and the copycat SSD is dc65dc.

Why does this happen, and how do I solve both the double-SSID issue and my lack of connection quality?

gen

Posted 2013-07-27T19:29:59.777

Reputation: 121

I just looked thru the user guide for the router you name above. I don't think your router should be broadcasting on 2 SSID. If you turn off the wireless on your router or unplug it do they both disappear? http://www.tp-link.com/resources/document/TL-WR1043ND_V2_User_Guide_1910010817.pdf

– Tyson – 2014-07-28T14:48:53.100

One common cause of this problem is leaving an old router, configured with the same router and encryption parameters, plugged in. – David Schwartz – 2014-08-28T02:24:11.747

@DavidSchwartz that is not a plausible cause ;) – gen – 2014-09-09T11:59:56.553

1Try to narrow down whether the connection problems are occurring on all devices or just the tablet. Are you sure the phantom SSID disappears when the router is switched off? Are you prepared to do a hard reset of the router or was it set up by your ISP? – James P – 2013-07-27T22:14:08.457

In fact, have you tried rebooting the router at all? – James P – 2013-07-28T00:23:40.417

Answers

1

You might have a dual-band router. Dual-band routers operate on both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies. To do so there are actually two separate radios in the router, one for each band. The 2.4Ghz band is the older of the two and has to share the band with other common devices such as cordless phones. The 5Ghz band is more recent and there tend to be fewer other devices that use that band which theoretically means that if you can use it exclusively (connecting to that one and disabling the 2.4Ghz band) then you should do so to improve your connection.

Edit: Also the 5Ghz band may have been turned off until a recent event enabled it. The device connecting to the router must also support the 5Ghz band. You have to have it on both ends. Practically everything supports the 2.4Ghz band but not a whole lot supports the 5Ghz band. If your device shows both, your tablet, then it likely supports both bands and a recent event in your router activated the 5Ghz band.

headkase

Posted 2013-07-27T19:29:59.777

Reputation: 1 690

That model's specifications do not indicate that it is dual-band. – James P – 2013-07-28T00:17:18.180

Asked: 2013-07-27T19:29:59.777

Viewed: 18 343 times

Active: 2014-10-30T11:32:36.513