Devices don't auto reconnect to specific SSID

[The1Metallian]

Any idea why? None of the possible explanations offered by Google AI listed below apply: 

Device-specific issues
Network forgotten

Incorrect network settings

Mac Address Randomization
Meraki SSID configuration:
Incorrect security settings: 
Splash page configuration
Device policies/Systems Manager integration: 
VLAN Tagging:
Exhausted DHCP pool:
Upstream network problems: 
Firewall rules:

[alemabrahao]

What type of device is the problem occurring on?
Do you have auto reconnect enabled?
What type of authentication is used?

[The1Metallian]

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@alemabrahao wrote:

What type of device is the problem occurring on?
Do you have auto reconnect enabled?
What type of authentication is used?

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1. Two Samsung smartphones, that I'm aware. An S25 and a Fold. I changed the MAC randomization setting on mine to test but it didn't make a difference.

2. I assume that you are asking about the saved SSID on the phone, in which case, yes.

3. Password. WPA2

[alemabrahao]

Nope, I'm talking about auto reconnect.

[The1Metallian]

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@alemabrahao wrote:

Nope, I'm talking about auto reconnect.

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So we are talking about the same. That is the saved SSID in your phone.

[alemabrahao]

I'm talking about the option circled in red. Is this enabled?

[The1Metallian]

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@alemabrahao wrote:

I'm talking about the option circled in red. Is this enabled?

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Yes, it is.

[Mloraditch]

What type of ssid is it? Nat or dumps to a vlan? What type of encryption/authentication? Do you have a mix of different ap models?

How exactly do the clients react? You just have to tell them to join or have to reinput keys or authenticate otherwise?

[The1Metallian]

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@Mloraditch wrote:

What type of ssid is it? Nat or dumps to a vlan? What type of encryption/authentication? Do you have a mix of different ap models?

How exactly do the clients react? You just have to tell them to join or have to reinput keys or authenticate otherwise?

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1. Meraki NAT

2. WPA2

3. Yes, mix, it's a big building with 40 AP's, but it's quite possible that the path that I take often (my office to the restroom) is all the same models - MR46's.

4. The credentials stay, we just need to reconnect manually as if auto reconnect was turned off, but it's not.

[BlakeRichardson]

Knowing what kind of device is going to be a big help in trying to fix this for you. 

MacOS use to have a priority list which was awesome but they got rid of it for whatever reason.  If you devices are company managed I would be managing their Wifi using an MDM.

[The1Metallian]

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@BlakeRichardson wrote:

Knowing what kind of device is going to be a big help in trying to fix this for you. 

MacOS use to have a priority list which was awesome but they got rid of it for whatever reason.  If you devices are company managed I would be managing their Wifi using an MDM.

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Both are Samsung smartphones. I've been having this issue for a long time, I have an S25. I didn't know if it was affecting anyone else, but today a user told me he has the same issue. He has a Samsung Fold. We don't have company managed mobiles

[PhilipDAth]

Check the roaming log for the client in the Meraki Dashboard.  Does it keep breaking on the same AP?  Does the dashboard so any other issues?

[The1Metallian]

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@PhilipDAth wrote:

Check the roaming log for the client in the Meraki Dashboard.  Does it keep breaking on the same AP?  Does the dashboard so any other issues?

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Maybe you're onto something here... 

I started looking at logs for my device. The roaming log shows only four roams although I was there two days and moved around a lot:

The timeline shows only 10 entries for the 4 days; again, way too little considering how much I move and how many access points I walk past.

And among those 10 entries, three are errors due to the DHCP server (Meraki) rejecting the client’s request.

[alemabrahao]

It sounds to me like you're having a connection quality issue and that may be a contributing factor, it's worth reviewing your RF Profile settings under Wireless > Configure > Radio Settings > RF Profiles > [Edit Profile]. I'd also recommend contacting Meraki support so they can help you determine the root cause of your issue.

[The1Metallian]

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@alemabrahao wrote:

It sounds to me like you're having a connection quality issue and that may be a contributing factor, it's worth reviewing your RF Profile settings under Wireless > Configure > Radio Settings > RF Profiles > [Edit Profile]. I'd also recommend contacting Meraki support so they can help you determine the root cause of your issue.

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I'll open a case. I don't have a connection quality issue. Thanks for trying.

[PhilipDAth]

Those signal strengths are very low.  Have you got enough APs?

Otherwise you need to adjust you RF profile.

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

These settings are fairly safe:

[The1Metallian]

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@PhilipDAth wrote:

Those signal strengths are very low.  Have you got enough APs?

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Based on what you say that, the roaming log? If yes, precisely the low signal as I walk away is why it should roam. It's roaming from upper 70s / lower 80s to 50s and 40s.

Yes, I have 40 APs. Again, as I walk away from the one I am associated with, I roam to another one.

Do you see anything wrong with these?

[PhilipDAth]

Those max power settings are WAY too high.  The min power settings are WAY too low.

Compare it to the screenshot I provided.

[The1Metallian]

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@PhilipDAth wrote:

Those max power settings are WAY too high.  The min power settings are WAY too low.

Compare it to the screenshot I provided.

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Excuse my ignorance, but what's wrong with having each band transmitting further and shorter? Does this not maximize the coverage area? A narrower margin shortens area coverage.

Looking at templates when creating a new profile, there's the one called Auditorium, to accommodate a large number of devices. It optimizes roaming, which is good, but it limits the coverage area per AP. What happens then with areas that don't have the best density? I guess I can assign this profile to the APs when it won't affect anyone and walk around to see if roaming improves. It could be a very short test - if I change what I have to Auditorium, which that is quite different, and the issues continues, then I'll go back to the plan of opening a case with Meraki and looking into the DHCP situation.

The documentation you linked me to mentions AutoTX Power, and I would totally try that, but I don't see it anywhere in the configuration of the profile

[bperezgo · Accepted solution]

Hi @The1Metallian,

Since you've verified that the clients have auto-reconnect enabled, I would recommend opening a case with Support to get more insight about the DHCP Server (Meraki) rejecting the client's request. Update the MR firmware to the latest stable.

I would also recommend gathering more information: 

• What is the Connection Log reporting for the client?

• Have there been any recent changes made to the network or wireless environment?

• Is the issue isolated to one part of the building?

• What SSIDs and APs are affected?

• What bands are affected (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or both)?

• Are there more clients affected other than Samsung devices (iPhones, Androids, Zebra scanners, etc.)?

Cheers,

[The1Metallian]

I'll open a case, thanks!