Client Re-Associations to the same AP/BSSID

[dm2020]

Hi All,

I have an issue with a new wireless installation where client devices appear to randomly disconnect from the WLAN and then reconnect within a few seconds. After looking at the wireless client debugs, I can see that a re-association is received from the client at the time of the disconnect with the old and new BSSID set to the same value which looks to be to the same AP and radio. There is nothing leading up to this event in the logs to suggest that the client has been disassociated so assuming the client is making the decision to do this.

The client has a good connection to the AP so i dont think that it is loosing coverage. A wireless survey has also been completed which shows good coverage and little interference.

We have tried updating the drivers on the client but that doesn't seem to change the behaviour.

Has anyone observed this behavior before? Why would a client randomly re-associate to the same AP?

[Leo Laohoo]

Is this happening throughout the network or is this happening to just one client?

[mdroessler]

We are having a like issue, we have also done the site surveys.  We are on 8.5.140 and people at randoms times just appear to get the "no internet" on wireless even though it shows them still connected.  Prime just sees what happens next as it was a new association even though we feel like it maybe client related we have also updated drivers and are still seeing the issue in a building we just built and loaded up with 2802 APs all 5 ghz.  We have seen it on both MAC and PC. 

Anybody find a solutions?  We will upgrade to 8.5.150 over Christmas break probably but not sure if that will resolve the issue or not. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

[DavidA18894]

I am hoping to resurrect this thread.. We are seeing this issue on 9800s running 16.12.4 with clients connecting to 9130s. Kind of a weird problem as we never see a disconnect in the debugs, only that the client re authenticates and shows the same BSSID as current and old. During this time the user is reporting they have lost internet connectivity, even though it appears they are still connected.

[Anjana A]

Hi David,

Please check the below link for he client troubleshooting.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/215523-quick-start-guide-on-what-logs-and-debug.html#anc16

Regards,

Anjana

[DelphAL]

I have the same issue, it is a wireless enable fabric, with 2 x C9800-L-F-K9 and C9120AXI-E as AP, both C9800-L-F-K9 are in SSO mode. This disconnection happen throughout the network, not all user at the same time. people randomly appear to get the "no internet" on wireless even though it shows them still connected. do you have any suggestion to solve this issue?

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@DelphAL wrote:

I have the same issue, it is a wireless enable fabric, with 2 x C9800-L-F-K9 and C9120AXI-E as AP, both C9800-L-F-K9 are in SSO mode. This disconnection happen throughout the network, not all user at the same time. people randomly appear to get the "no internet" on wireless even though it shows them still connected. do you have any suggestion to solve this issue?

---

What firmware is the WLC on?

[DelphAL]

17.03.04c

[Arshad Safrulla]

Also advise on the clients who are facing the issue

Client type

OS

WLAN NIC Firmware code

WLAN Card

Band client was connected 

[DelphAL]

Client type => PC 

OS => Windows 10

WLAN NIC Firmware code => Intel  20.70.21.2

WLAN Card => Intel dual band wireless-AC 8265

Band client was connected => 5Gz

[Arshad Safrulla]

@DelphAL Could you please upgrade the WLAN drivers to the latest. Most of the old firmware was known to have similar issues when connecting to WiFi6 AP's.

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@DelphAL wrote:

WLAN NIC Firmware code => Intel  20.70.21.2

---

And there's the problem right there.  20.70.21.2 is buggy.  We hit that.  

Use a different version and the problem should go away.

[DelphAL]

Hi Leo

we will go for the upgrade and let you know.

thank you.

[t3rebello]

I just want to chime in that I am experiencing this issue right now with iPhone 14's on my 9800-40 WLC with the 17.12.1 code. AP's are 9130's:

[Leo Laohoo]

This should be a different thread because the issue is no longer the same.  

In the meantime, please read iOS 17.2 fixes Wi-Fi slowdowns and connectivity issues, Apple says.