Wireless connection problem usually result in the following symptoms:

• ezWifi Wizard Configuration button constantly appearing
• constant wireless disconnection
• cannot find the ez@xxxxxx SSID
• not able to to connect to the ez@xxxxxx SSID
• prompted incorrect wireless key when joining, even if wireless key is correct
• unable to scan wireless networks

Troubleshooting Procedures

1. Ensure the antenna is positioned correctly to have the optimum coverage. Use  Scan All Network  and before joining, make sure the real-time LINK Quality is good and at least 3 green bars.  
   
   Read more - http://ezwifi.eu/what-why-how/user-manual/scan-all-networks/real-time-rssi-monitoring
   
   
2. Avoid joining to a channel 12 & 13. Other channels to avoid include 2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10. Only join to 1, 6 or 11.
   
   Read more - http://ezwifi.eu/what-why-how/frequently-asked-questions/wireless-connections-issues/some-device-sometimes-cannot-see-the-ezhotspot-ssid-while-other-devices-can-see-ezhotspot-ssid-and-join-without-problem
   
   
3. Disable the   Auto recovery function   if you repeatably have to re-login to a hotspot or prompted the ezWifi Wizard Menu.
   
   Read more - http://ezwifi.eu/what-why-how/frequently-asked-questions/wireless-connections-issues/what-is-auto-recovery-function
   
   
4. Some public hotspot may have blocked your MAC address. In this case, use the  Change MAC address  to clone or randomize a MAC address and rejoin again to try.
   
   Read more - http://ezwifi.eu/what-why-how/user-manual/configuration-status/change-mac-address
   
   
5. If the remote network is secured, ensure the correct wireless key is entered noting the UPPER and LOWER case. 
   
   
6. Try sharing a phone's personal hotspot, then configure (with another phone) the Ezhotspot Extender and try joining to it to test if the wireless function is working correctly. Are other devices such as your phone, tablet or laptop can successfully join to the remote network but the Ezhotspot Extender is not success to join to?
   
   Read more - http://ezwifi.eu/what-why-how/frequently-asked-questions/wireless-connections-issues/good-wireless-signal-but-cannot-join-and-keep-returning-to-the-configuration-screen
   
   
7. Have you recently changed the wireless key or wireless encryption method on the ezhotspot extender and that the client devices can no longer join to the ezhotspot extender?
   
   Read more - http://ezwifi.eu/what-why-how/frequently-asked-questions/wireless-connections-issues/client-devices-cannot-connect-to-the-ezhotspot-extender
   
   
8. If you have made some adjustments in the  Advanced Dashboard  , it may interference with the Ezwizard to perform correctly. In this case, you must perform a SOFT FACTORY reset.
   
   Read more - http://ezwifi.eu/what-why-how/user-manual/factory-reset/soft-factory-reset

Ensure the remote wireless connection you want to join has a Link Quality of more than 35/70 quality. You can always find this details before joining to the remote wireless network. Adjust your antenna if need to have the best optimum connection.

If the connection drops too often and you do not want to repeatably join to the remote wireless network manually, you may try to disable the Auto Recovery Function.

Realtime Signal Strength Scanning?

 Scan public hotspots  : 

• can only join to open networks with no encryption key needed.
• a list of duplicated networks (SSIDs) will be shown, and EZhotspot Extender will join to the selected network (SSID) with the best signal strength.
• if connection fails, EZhotspot Extender will try to join to the next network with the same SSID for a period of 30 seconds which still unsuccessful, the ezwizard menu will be prompted again.

 Scan private networks  : 

• can only join to secured networks using WPA/WPA2-PSK encryption key only
• a list of duplicated networks (SSIDs) will be shown, and EZhotspot Extender will join to the selected network (SSID) with the best signal strength.
• if connection fails, EZhotspot Extender will try to join to the next network with the same SSID for a period of 30 seconds which still unsuccessful, the ezwizard menu will be prompted again.

 Scan all networks  : 

• can join to open networks or secured networks using WEP, WPA/WPA-PSK, WPA/WPA2-ENTERPRISE encryption key
• a list of networks (SSIDs) with their signal strength, and EZhotspot Extender will only join to the particular selected network (SSID) by its unique MAC address
• if connection fails, EZhotspot Extender will contiune to try to join to the same network (SSID) for a period of 30 seconds which still unsuccessful, the ezwizard will be prompted again.

 Quick Hotspots  : Deprecated and no longer supported

• joins to embedded popular public hotspots.
• a list of duplicated networks (SSIDs) will be shown, and V4 will join to the selected network (SSID) with the best signal strength.
• if connection fails, EZhotspot Extender will try to join to the next network with the same SSID for a period of 30 seconds which still unsuccessful, the ezwizard menu will be prompted again.

Note: The  Scan Public Hotspots  and  Scan Private Networks  will be deprecated in future firmware. It is strongly recommended to use the  improved  Scan All Newtorks , which offers more possibility to scan and join to different types with real time wireless signal monitoring.

Situation:

There is a good wireless signal of 3 green bar or more, but cannot join to the remote open network and Ezhotspot keeps returning to the configuration menu.

Troubleshooting:

1. This troubleshooting requires 2 devices ( A phone with data package, sharing the personal hotspot and another device configuring the Ezhotspot Extender). Briefly share the personal hotspot on your Apple or Android phone. Most people have a data package on their mobile subscription which includes local and roaming allowance. This test uses minimal data and is to ensure the wireless capabilities are performing normally.
   
   Apple personal hotspot
   
   Android personal hotspot
   
   After sharing your personal hotspot, use another device to connect to the EZhotspot and connect to your personal hotspot's SSID. If successful, please look at point #3. (remember to switch off your personal hotspot)
   
   
2. Have you made any configuration changes from the Advanced Dashboard? 
   
   The EzHotspot is factory shipped with best configuration to connect to a hotspot. If adjustments are made in the Advanced Dashboard, it might interfere with the settings to properly connect. In this case, perform a Soft Factory reset to the Ezhotspot.
   
   SOFT FACTORY RESET?
   
   
   
3. The Ezhotspot may be blocked by the hotspot operator. Hotspot operators like to sell as many internet vouchers to you as possible and some of these Hotspot operators have out-resourced the internet service to specialized companies who will track possible wireless repeaters and block the MAC Address from connecting. A MAC Address is an unique identification code belonging to a networking element.
   
   Some hotspot operators will mention it is due to unfair usage while some hotspot will deny to know anything. They are only concerned to block the MAC address of the repeater and that you will purchase more internet vouchers. In this case, change the MAC address of the Ezhotspot.

Change MAC Address

 Auto Recovery  is a feature of the EzSetup to ensure that you are able to connect to EZhotspot Extender's private SSID in the event that EZhotspot Extender fails to join/extends/repeat a remote hotspot or wireless network. By default, it is always enabled after a new power cycle or reboot.

The working principle of the EZhotspot Extender' is that it creates 2 virtual wireless network, the first for joining a remote wireless network and the private SSID for devices to join to it.

When you have specified a remote network (SSID) to join, the EZhotspot Extender gives priority to join the remote network before displaying the private SSID for devices to join. The Ezhotspot Extender device may have to check different channels for the best wireless signal and switch channel to join to the remote network. Once successful, the same wireless channel used will also be assigned to the private SSID. That is why sometimes, you might temporarily get disconnected.

If Auto Recovery is disabled, it will keep searching to join with the last saved profile (SSID and wireless key) even if the hotspot, remote wireless access point is no longer in range or the wireless key credentials were incorrect. If that happens, the result is that you will not be able to see the Ezhotspot EXtender's private SSID, ez@XXXXXX. Reboot the device in such event.

When you have repeated to a particular remote wireless network, the wireless channel will be locked to that particular remote wireless network and cannot be changed. The EzHotspot Extender works similar to the technology known as Source:wikipedia WDS (Wireless Distribution System).  

WDS is a stable and long established method of wireless repeating and one of its major characteristics is that all repeating access points and including the wireless clients need to operate on the same wireless channel.

A wireless access point bridges the wireless client to the existing ADSL/Cable/Fiber router. The wireless client obtains the networking credentials such as IP address from the ADSL/Cable/Fiber router. All connected devices have the same IP address range as the ADSL/Cable/Fiber router. For example: 192.168.1.X

A wireless router creates a different sub-net to the existing ADSL/Cable/Fiber router. The wireless client obtains the networking credentials such as IP address from the wireless router directly. Connected devices have difference IP range from the ADSL/Cable/Fiber router. For example: 192.168.93.X (default of Ezhotspot V4)

In the case when you are using the ezhotspot at home to connect to your home router, your home router may be currently configured to Auto wireless channel or using channel 12 or 13. Using a device that can connect to the ezhotspot to confirm. See green box in picture below to obtain the current connected channel.

Most home routers offer a feature called Auto Channel Selection. In most time, it creates more issues than improve your wireless network. In a proper wireless setup, only 3 channels are used, which is 1, 6 or 11. These are called non overlapping wireless channels.

See below for example, in a hotel with a good wifi implementation, all wireless access points are configured only to these 3 channels (1,6 & 11). There could be over a hundred of wireless access point but only 1, 6 and 11 are used. 

So, why a proper wireless network will not use the other free available channels? There is a very good article here and you should read about it. https://www.metageek.com/training/resources/why-channels-1-6-11.html

To resolve the issue, we suggest the following:

Go to your home router and manually select 1, 6 or 11, instead of auto wireless channel

Note: If you not familiar about changing anything on your home router. Try searching support in your internet service provider's website or see this guide to find your home router. https://portforward.com/router.htm

From firmware version 4.48 & newer, the V4 broadcasts 4 SSIDs by default and the V5 broadcasts 8 SSIDs by default. Below, we explain the SSIDs on a specific 2.4Ghz wireless channel, for example:

In the Active mode, the physical interface of the SSID is bind to a specific network and will have certain networking capabilities as allowed by the Ezhotspot.

In the Standby mode, the physical interface of the SSID is not bind to any specific network and will have no networking capabilities. When using a WiFi spectrum analyzer, this will be reflected as Hidden or Unknown Networks.

If joined wirelessly to another remote wireless network, the SSID 2 is enabled as a client interface and will not produce any hidden SSID.

In the networking world, every networking interface needs to be identified by a unique MAC address. Broadcasted SSIDs are considered to be a networking interface and the below explains the MAC addresses assigned by the Ezhotspot:

The above factory pre-configured configuration are recommended and should not be changed in the  Advanced Dashboard . The factory pre-configuration allows the Ezhotspot to concurrently operate and monitor the additional Guest Network and Transparent Repeater securely, without having to make any reset to the normal extender mode when the functions are no longer required.

If you need to change a change MAC address, please click below:

Change Mac Address

 A high gain 8dBi omni-directional outdoor suction cup antenna is supplied in the box.

It has 2 mounting holes to ensure the antenna can always be in a upright position, whether it is on the side of the window or on the top of a camper roof for best perforamnce.

It can be quickly mounted and dismounted without additional brackets and drilling holes.

It is advised to be discreet when placing any antenna outside your camper or caravan. There is a growing trend of campsites that disapprove of campers using wifi amplifiers and may have private policies to deny you of their wifi service. In most situation, it is more than sufficient to use only the supplied indoor dipole antennas.

The EzHotspot Extender is factory configured to use WPA-PSK/WPA2PSK Mixed Mode (TKIP/AES) to allow a wider range of devices, including older devices such as older smartphones, wireless alarm systems, IPcams, Chromecast, Smart home switches and other IoT devices to seamlessly join to the Ezhotspot Extender.

You can follow Apple's recommendation to use WPA2 (AES) in the Advanced Dashboard --> Network --> HotSpot by selecting the required SSID and under Wireless Security -->

• Encryption - Select  "WPA2"
• Cipher - Select "Force CCMP AES" 

If you encounter wireless issues, you should revert back to the previous mode.

WPA3 is newer and currently not as stable as it is claimed so. Many wireless issues have been reported due to WPA3 and EzWiFi will evaluate the situation and release at a later firmware update appropriately. Further, WPA3 itself currently has flaws and makes little difference from previous WPA or WPA2.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-dragonblood-vulnerabilities-found-in-wifi-wpa3-standard/

https://thehackernews.com/2019/04/wpa3-hack-wifi-password.html

Have you recently changed the wireless key or wireless encryption method on the ezhotspot extender and that the client devices can no longer join to the ezhotspot extender? This may be the case where some client devices' operating system do not inform about an incorrect wireless key or security encryption as currently stored on the client itself (Especially if the wifi QR-Code was used to join the ezhotspot). The client device will keep trying to join and without prompting an incorrect wireless key error.  

Forgetting a wireless network on your client device is often a useful strategy when troubleshooting wireless network problems, particularly if your configuration or wireless key for the wireless network may be incorrect. This article provides instructions on how to forget a wireless network on various operating systems and client device types.

Desktop Clients

Windows 10
To forget a wireless network in Windows 10:

1. At the bottom right in the system tray, click the network icon and choose Network & Internet settings.
2. Click Manage Wi-Fi settings.
3. Under "Manage known networks", select the Wi-Fi network to be removed.
4. Click Forget.

Windows 8
To forget a wireless network in Windows 8:

1. At the bottom right in the system tray, click the wifi/network icon.
2. Right click on the Network Name to be removed.
3. Click Forget this network.

Windows 7
To forget a wireless network in Windows 7:

1. At the bottom right in the system tray, click the network icon, and choose Open Network and Sharing Center.
2. In the "Tasks" pane, click Manage wireless networks.
3. Right-click the connection you want to delete, and then click Remove network.
4. In the "Manage Wireless Networks - Warning" dialog box, click OK.

macOS
To forget a wireless network in macOS:

1. At the top of your screen, click the Wi-Fi symbol and then select Open Network Preferences.
2. In the lower right, choose Advanced.
3. Under "Preferred Networks", select the Wi-Fi network to be removed.
4. Click - (the minus sign) to forget the network.
5. Click OK.

Ubuntu Linux
To forget a wireless network in Ubuntu Linux:

1. Click on the Wireless icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. In the drop-down menu that appears, click on Edit Connections.
3. In the connections menu, select the network you wish to forget.
4. Click Delete.
5. Click on Close to close the Connections Editor.

Mobile Clients

Android
To forget a wireless network on your Android mobile device or tablet:

1. From the home screen, choose Settings.
2. In the settings menu, choose Wi-Fi.
3. Press and hold the Wi-Fi network to be removed, and then choose Forget.

iOS
To forget a wireless network on your iPhone or iPad:

1. From the home screen, choose Settings.
2. In the settings menu, choose Wi-Fi.
3. Locate the Wi-Fi network to be removed and click the blue symbol next to the name.
4. If the option to forget the network is available, tap Forget this Network. If that option is not available:
   a. From the home screen, choose Settings.
   b. In the settings menu, choose General.
   c. Locate and tap Profile.
   d. Select the profile for Wi-Fi network to be removed, and tap Delete profile.

If the 5Ghz SSID of the Ezhotspot Extender V5 does not show up after repeating a remote network, it means you have joined to a DFS channel. It is never recommended to join to a DFS channel because DFS channels are subjected to radar avoidance and wireless networks in these channels may switch off temporarily or switch to another channel after a certain delay, when a dominating radio signal from a weather, military or aviation broadcast is detected. You can read more on the below link:

http://ezwifi.eu/what-why-how/frequently-asked-questions/could-you-inform-me-about-the-supported-wifi-channels-on-the-5ghz-band-does-the-v5-also-has-support-for-dfs-channels

It is recommended to repeat a non-DFS channels 36, 40, 44 & 48 if possible.

To override this, follow the instructions:

01. Go to the   Advanced Dashboard  -->  Network  -->  Hotspot-Wifi   menu

02. Locate  EzWifi (radio0) / Mode Master  and click on the EDIT button as shown below:

03. Go to the   Advanced Settings  tab.

04. Select 20Mhz or 40Mhz in the HT Mode (Box1) as shown below:

• 20Mhz for more reliability 
• 40Mhz for more bandwidth if possible. If 40Mhz is selected, untick Force 40Mhz (Box 2) 

05. Scroll to bottom and click on  SAVE & APPLY 

Completed. The 5Ghz of the Ezhotspot Extender will broadcast now when repeating a DFS channel.