Samsung Smart TV and Airport Express: Can't connect to Internet, new DHCP reservation each time I turn the TV on

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Samsung Smart TV and Airport Express: Can't connect to Internet, new DHCP reservation each time I turn the TV on

I can only get my Samsung Smart TV connected to the Internet if I reset the reserved IP address in the DHCP reservation that I've configured. Each subsequent time I turn the TV on, I get the following error when checking the network connection:

"Connected to the wireless network, but not the Internet."

So, then I go to AirportUtility > Airport Express > Network > DHCP Reservations and update the reserved IP address that I've entered for the TV (10.0.1.5 to 10.0.1.6 for example, which is within the .2 - .200 range). Then I go back to the Samsung TV and re-obtain/reconnect to the network and it is connected to the Internet until the next time I turn it off and on again.

Any ideas?

Router is Motorola Surfboard Docsis 3

I have many Mac laptops, desktops, and miscellaneous devices which all seem to work (though only two other DHCP reservations)

Posted on Jan 17, 2015 10:33 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

148,453 points

Jan 17, 2015 10:49 AM in response to benscsnyder

It's possible that there may be some sort of incompatibility between the AirPorts and the Samsung, especially for wireless connectivity. I suggest the following two things to see if either helps resolve the issue you are having:

Instead of using the DHCP Reservation option, use the Samsung's administrator interface to assign it a static local IP addresses. I would recommend an address above the DHCP range of your AirPort. By default, that range is: 10.0.1.2 - 10.0.1.200. So, for example, use 10.0.1.201 for your HDTV.
The other option would be to not use Wi-Fi at all, but instead, if your HDTV supports it, use an Ethernet connection instead. In this case, I would suggest that you still use the DHCP Reservation option.

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Answer 2

benscsnyder Author

Level 1

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Jan 17, 2015 11:25 AM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for your response.

Tried setting the IP address to 10.0.1.201 (and relevant fields like gateway and DNS) on the Samsung TV at Menu > Network > Network Status > Test > ...test runs... > IP Settings > Set Manually. Same issue - can connect to router but not to the Internet.
This is 2014! I'm not a cave man (just kidding). But, yeah I'd return the TV before having to run a wire.

I'm flamboozled by this TV and how it connects to my router. After attempting step 1 above, then setting it back to "obtain automatically" the address fields were all populated with strange addresses that do not match what's reported in AirpotUtility nor are they the addresses that "obtain automatically" was obtaining prior to my attempt at step 1 above.

Additionally, now when I go to Network Status, it reports that the connection failed and offers some tips on correcting the issue BUT (and most flamboozling of all), it can connect to the Internet if I hit "back" and select Netflix (or any other app) and play a video.

So, for now, it seems this TV is connected since I can turn it off and on and it retains its flamboozling connection to my Internet. But, I am going to leave this question open and wait to see if things go awry in the next couple of days.

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Answer 3

Jan 17, 2015 1:39 PM in response to benscsnyder

Make sure you stick to PC network naming standards.. ie everything very short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric.

Passwords should also be say 8-20 characters and keep them pure alphanumeric mixed case and numbers. Do not use any non ASCII.

I think it can also be well worthwhile upgrading the TV firmware if one is available. TV is just another computer controlled device now.

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Answer 4

benscsnyder Author

Level 1

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Jan 17, 2015 7:15 PM in response to LaPastenague

(FYI - the TV lost the connection again while it was on. I left it on for my in-laws whom I left in possession of said malnourished device and I returned to discover that they were unable to partake in some Netflix action because the TV had lost connectivity)

Hi LaPastenague, I've read that before ("PC network naming standards") while googling the issue and don't quite understand how it is relevant. For instance what does that mean in relation to the situation at hand? There are no attributes that I can edit on my AirPort or TV that are pliable in a way that would allow me to truncate, simplify, or remove spaces (IP, DNS, Mac addresses etc). My password is nothing special and below 20 (alphanumeric) chars.

I purchased this TV yesterday and it updated its firmware during the initial setup process. I also turned off all security on my router and attempted to connect without a password - this produced the same darned results.

My leading theory is that this TV is defective since 1) after a thorough scrub of google, I haven't found one other description of this exact issue and 2) both my TV and AirPort are off the shelf, out of the box deployments.

Though, I do have WOW! (wowway.com) which I'd say not a large sampling of folks have and I could try a Netgear router since thats likely more PC friendly. I shutter at the idea of having to call either WOW or Samsung support, I can only imagine what fun that would be.

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Answer 5

Jan 17, 2015 7:39 PM in response to benscsnyder

Your network name for the Airport and the name of the wireless network are set in the airport.. and are important.

Set airport name here. It matters.. even if you don't see it the TV records the name.

Set the wireless name here. Short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric.

Tests with no wireless security set or password can help.

Set wireless channel here. this can help.

Make sure the country is set correctly.

Make sure hidden network is NOT set.

Make sure the wireless channel are set manually and test.. 11, 9, 6 in that order.

As you see I have 13 which is allowed in Aus/Europe/ but can be inadvisable if the TV is not set correctly.. stick to 11 where you run into issues.

Wireless can be incompatible between brands.. it is still common..

Test your netgear .. it could well work fine.

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Answer 6

benscsnyder Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2015 7:44 PM in response to LaPastenague

LaPastenague, thanks for the response. Those are thorough instructions that I have yet to see in my explorations, especially in response to the PC directions. I hope they help someone as I was able to resolve my issue, at least it seems very stable now.

This is my fault though I blame it on Apple as you will see.

There are two ethernet input ports on the back of the AirPort Express (originally I thought this was input/output). One has an icon that looks like a sun, one has an icon that looks like two arrows <-->. I had the ethernet cable from my router plugged into the <--> and the Internet was working fine on all my devices (except the TV). I just moved the ethernet cable to the port with the sun icon and restarted the router and modem, now everything is working including the TV!! And it seems pretty stable.

I didn't even see the icons on the ports on the AirPort initially though that wouldn't have mattered since I haven't the slightest clue what they mean (wireless and wired?).

Thanks for all the tips. I'll come back to this thread if I have any further problems.

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Answer 7

Jan 17, 2015 7:52 PM in response to benscsnyder

🙂😝😉

You mixed up WAN.. sunburst and LAN.. <--->

That matters.

But only if the Express is doing router mode.. for standard bridge it won't make any difference.

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