Time Capsule and TW/Spectrum Ubee Modem // Continued Wifi Loss

Question

Time Capsule and TW/Spectrum Ubee Modem // Continued Wifi Loss

Dear Apple Community,

I have troubleshot this issue with Time Warner / Spectrum multiple times and they've sent different technicians who tell me everything is great with the signal. Our internet works as advertised for hours at a time but at least twice a day, but often more, it cuts out all together and the modem must be reset. All works great again for awhile after the reset (no reset of time capsule needed - though often done together with modem). After having to reset the modem at least 3 times a day for a week though, I'm hoping I can turn to the community for help. Will try to post as thorough details as possible.

-When we notice the wifi is out on a device (iPhone X, Macbook Pro, Xbox, TV, etc), we notice it is out on all devices and all devices have their fully updated software.

-There is a solid green light on the time capsule, which is updated to it's latest software.

-The Ubee Modem Model DDW36C (updated firmware) has 4 solid green lights (power, DS, US, Online), which is the same as when it's working.

-Airport Utility shows an Orange Light on "Internet" but a green light on "time capsule".

- The ubee modem is in bridge mode with the time capsule creating WPA2 wifi network (5GZ and 2.4GZ) and pasted settings. Channels are auto.

-We recently moved and fully reset the time machine to factory settings when setting up the internet here.

-I haven't been able to check the ethernet from the modem directly at the moment as we dont have any ethernet devices readily available.

-We have a handful of devices but nothing crazy (2 laptops, 2 phones, tv, etc), dont do much/any downloading/uploading/streaming nor does it seem like it only happens when the system might be "overloaded". mostly seems to be dropped out when we wake, and need to be reset once during the day and at least once per night.

please help, have tried everything and really want to stop losing connection mid PUBG 🙂

Posted on Jan 12, 2018 4:32 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LaPastenague

Level 9

67,244 points

Jan 12, 2018 6:16 PM in response to Archibald Nemesis

Time Capsule is a 3TB from Sept 14, 2014. maybe there's my issue. seemed to start having issues at our old place (also spectrum but charter spectrum) that have amplified here.

The rot had started.. and just on 3 years.. so right on schedule.

But this is conjecture at this point.. a theory to be tested.

in the scenario where i have the time capsule in bridge mode, do i still enable the wireless on the ubee?

Yes.. wireless on both is perfectly fine.. Only you do want a few feet between them.. more space the better.

You will obviously use different names.. wireless on the Ubee could have name like Ubee24ghz and Ubee5ghz (short no spaces and pure alphanumerics.. note).

On the TC I would do the same.. TC24ghz and (on the wireless options tab) set the 5ghz name to TC5ghz.

Make sure you are set to create a wireless network.. not extend.

Leave channels all on auto.. that should sort itself out.. but check on Mac by opening the wireless diagnostics via the airport fan. Hold down the option key and click fan.. you will see wireless diagnostics as an option.. don't bother with the diagnostics itself (near useless).. just leave that screen open.. go straight to the top menu.. and select scan.

Open the box to see all the columns.. there is a fair bit of info in there.. you will see all the wireless names and channels being used.. and you can also see signal level and noise.. plus the actual wireless you are linked to in bold.

You can now close that main diagnostic screen.. but do occasional scan or when things go wrong check for the levels etc.

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Answer 2

Jan 12, 2018 5:09 PM in response to Archibald Nemesis

You really need to see what is happening at the modem..

So either get a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter for your MBP.. very useful to have in the future as wireless is still not able to be classed in the category of reliable.

OR.. put the ubee modem router (which a quick search reveals it to be) back to full router mode.. and use the Airport bridged to it..

The fact that the Airport is not giving you errors is strange.. when the internet is not reachable.

How old is the AE? They are known to become unreliable after 3 years.. sometimes a lot earlier.

I am not sure if you need to get TW to reset the modem remotely or you can do it yourself.. but I would definitely have a try.. even if you do it just for test purposes..

You can use the AE in a setup where it is handling DHCP.. so more than merely an AP to the network if you want to try later.. but for now you can quickly check if connecting from AE wireless to Ubee wireless clears the problem.. if so the AE is clearly faulty.

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Answer 3

Jan 12, 2018 5:01 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thanks for your quick reply. The airport Time Capsule is a 3TB from Sept 14, 2014. maybe there's my issue. seemed to start having issues at our old place (also spectrum but charter spectrum) that have amplified here.

-ok, ill find a way to connect directly to the modem. fair enough. in the meantime, i'm gonna remove the time capsule from the equation and use just the ubee dual functions and see if i havr the same drops over the weekend.

thanks again, will report back after trying above and resetting to full router and brigde mode (roaming with the time capsule maybe -since i also seem to be having distance issues in the back bedroom maybe).

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Answer 4

Jan 12, 2018 5:09 PM in response to LaPastenague

in the scenario where i have the time capsule in bridge mode, do i still enable the wireless on the ubee?

thanks!!

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Answer 5