why wireless client is not choosing nearby AP

[Indian1]

Dear All,

I have observed one of wireless clients is not choosing nearing AP which is installed in client's Cabin. Client is choosing another AP which is installed another location and a little bit far way.

Can anybody explain why and how to force client to connect nearby AP by instead of another APs.

Thanks for your response.

[Blue_Bird]

Please check this below link:

https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/Wireless_Troubleshooting/Wireless_Issue_Resolution_Guide

Thanks

[KarstenI]

In general, it's the decision of the client.

There can be multiple reasons for the client to do that. The first important question is how the APs are "heard" at the client location. Perhaps the AP farer away has a higher transmit power? And a classic: Is your client only 802.11n and the AP is using channel 144? The old client won't hear this AP on that channel.

[alemabrahao]

Most people assume that clients always connect to the nearest (strongest) AP. But it is the client device, not the AP, that decides which AP to associate with.

Clients base this decision on a variety of factors, including:

• Signal strength (RSSI) — usually the most important factor, but not the only one.
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
• Data rates supported.
• AP load (some clients support 802.11k/v/r and may try to avoid congested APs).
• Roaming algorithms coded by the device vendor (different drivers behave differently; for example, iPhones roam more aggressively than some Windows laptops).
• Some devices "stick" to an AP even as they move away until they fully disconnect.

[PhilipDAth]

Try creating an RF Profile using one of the pre-built profiles, and associate it to your APs.

https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/Radio_Settings/RF_Profiles

They have a lot more sensible settings than the system defaults.