C9120AXI-E not joining 5520 WLC

[cupkeyk]

Hello Experts! 

We are encountering issue with C9120AXI-E not joining 5520 WLC. 

Manufactured: 2021

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AP image version 8.10.196.0 backup 8.10.130.0, Controller 8.10.196.0
Version is the same, do not need update.

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Thank you in advance!

[marce1000]

  - To me it looks like the current image on the AP is corrupt. Install manually e.g.

 M.

[Saikat Nandy]

Could you try increasing the CAPWAP timers from 5 & 3 to 8 & 5. Also share the entire output of the AP please, along with 'show version'.

[Rich R]

@cupkeyk  Is it only 1 AP affected?
Are other APs able to join ok?
Did you try factory default reset on the AP?
What logs do you see on the WLC?
What do the join stats for that AP show on the WLC?
What is the uptime of the WLC?
If the WLC is an HA-SSO pair have you tried doing a switchover to backup and then back to primary after it has reloaded? (= WLC reload with minimum disruption)
As Marce says you can try manual reinstall of the software but I don't think that is the problem here:
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322988/type/286288051/release/15.3.3-JK11

[cupkeyk]

Hello Rich, 

Is it only 1 AP affected? No, 22 APs
Are other APs able to join ok? 9120-AXI-A Joined successfully, all 9120-AXI-E weren't able to join.
Did you try factory default reset on the AP? Yes
What logs do you see on the WLC? on the first reboot AP was able to join WLC, downloading image but during that or maybe after AP restarted it is stuck in discovery loop. 
What do the join stats for that AP show on the WLC? Not showing
What is the uptime of the WLC? 9 Days
If the WLC is an HA-SSO pair have you tried doing a switchover to backup and then back to primary after it has reloaded? (= WLC reload with minimum disruption) - Client not risking it. 

We are suspecting that the regulatory is the issue here, in WLC only PH country is enabled. For the 9120-E it is showing GB? Does this affect the joining status of the AP?

[Rich R · Accepted solution]

> Are other APs able to join ok? 9120-AXI-A Joined successfully, all 9120-AXI-E weren't able to join.
> We are suspecting that the regulatory is the issue here, in WLC only PH country is enabled. For the 9120-E it is showing GB? Does this affect the joining status of the AP?

Absolutely YES lol! Always check https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/prod/wireless/wireless-compliance-tool/index.html before buying APs and make sure you order the correct SKU!  Different models may have different regulatory domains for the same country.

Regulatory domains are there for a reason.  You cannot just install any old AP in any country.  You have to use the correct SKU for the country!  In this case -A is valid for Philippines but -E (Europe) is not.

Note that the latest WiFi 7 APs have a -ROW (Rest of World) regulatory domain with software selection of country instead of multiple different domains.