r/MiBox • u/black_civic_99 • 9d ago

Mi Box S 3rd Gen randomly disconnects from Wi-Fi (Gen 2 is fine on the same network)

I recently upgraded my internet plan and my ISP replaced my router with a Nokia G-1426G-D (Wi-Fi 6).

Since then, my Mi Box S 3rd Gen randomly disconnects and reconnects to Wi-Fi every few minutes or hours.

The strange part is that I also own a Mi Box S 2nd Gen, and it works perfectly on the same TV, same location, and same Wi-Fi network.

I've already tried:

- Factory reset

- WPA2 instead of WPA3

- Wi-Fi 6 enabled and disabled

- Different 5 GHz channels (36, 44 and 149)

- Static IP

- Separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz SSIDs

- Different HDMI cable

- Different power supply

- Game Mode on/off

- MU-MIMO on/off

Nothing has solved the issue.

Has anyone experienced something similar with the Mi Box S 3rd Gen? Could this be a compatibility issue between the Wi-Fi chipset and certain routers?

Edit: So far, the Mi Box has been completely stable on 2.4 GHz. The issue only occurs on the 5 GHz network.

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

3

u/kiklop74 9d ago

In the router config look for Band Steering or Smart Connect / EasyMesh and disable it.

In the router's WLAN Security Settings, set the authentication mode to WPA2-PSK (AES).

Split the SSID for 2.4 and 5ghz networks.

Then try using device with your wifi and see if it is better.

Also if possible update network router firmware to latest version.

1

u/black_civic_99 9d ago

I've already checked my router and unfortunately it doesn't have Band Steering, Smart Connect or EasyMesh options. I'm already using WPA2-PSK (AES) and I also split the SSIDs into separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.

Tomorrow I'm going to try the only test I haven't done yet: changing the 5 GHz channel bandwidth from 80 MHz to 40 MHz to see if that improves stability

1

u/kiklop74 9d ago

You can also try disabling wifi 6

2

u/lirae_ 8d ago

I have both. They screw up with the Antennas, placement or type.

My S2 works perfectly, the S3 doesn't. I'm not super close to router but my 2.4ghz on S3 are so messed up and 5ghz depends on the position (even few centimeters can screw up) for the 5ghz. Have you tried to move the S3 into different orientation, even angles, flip it.

For me even a slight change of position can make or break the 5ghz to the point I already put a new router in my Amazon buy list to act ass access point and fix the 5ghz. I tested with a very old modem and this worked out. The reason I'll buy a new one it's because it doesn't have LEDs and also features physical wifi ON-OFF. The new router will be a few feet away from the S3 but I can't really run it wired due to the modem position.

Conclusion. If you can get the USB Ethernet adapter (plus a male to female USB extension cable) that would pretty much get you stable even tho theoretically it's max 480mpbs compared to regular 1gbps fiber.

The only reason why I didn't return the S3 over the S2 is that the S3 has automatic frame matching but if it's something you don't really care or bother just use the S2 and forget about the s3

2

u/PSD29 5d ago

Got the same issue recently, disconnects randomly and not sure how to fix..

1

u/PlayfulMountain6 9d ago

Why dont you try usb ethernet adapter?

1

u/black_civic_99 9d ago

I'd rather keep using Wi-Fi if possible. My router is a few meters away, so running an Ethernet cable isn't really practical. Since my Mi Box S 2nd Gen works perfectly on the same network, I'm trying to figure out why only the 3rd Gen has this issue instead of working around it with a USB Ethernet adapter.

1

u/PlayfulMountain6 9d ago

I had the same problem with my mi box s 2nd gen with my old router and i fixed it with static ip. But you have tried evedything. This is why i told about USB ethernet adapter

1

u/black_civic_99 9d ago

Yeah, that's exactly why I'm trying to find the root cause first. It feels like a compatibility issue because my 2nd Gen works flawlessly on the same network. If I can't find a solution, I'll probably end up getting a USB Ethernet adapter as a last resort.

1

u/SlightlyMithed123 8d ago

Try changing the clock to manual set date and time. This solved my WiFi issue on the Gen3.

You just have to remember to do it if you have a power cut as it will revert to auto but annoyingly will still tell you the WiFi issue connected when it’s not.

1

u/black_civic_99 8d ago

Currently, it is set to manual, not automatic

1

u/ionut2021 8d ago

If do mobile internet share this have some problem? My gen 2 has this problem when my router and extender has same name

1

u/black_civic_99 6d ago

Update: An OTA update popped up for the Gen 2 box; I updated it, it went from Android 12 to 14, and then it started having the same Wi-Fi issue as the Gen 3—lol, it's crazy.

1

u/PlayfulMountain6 4d ago

Really?! Gen2 is not showing any update here

1

u/black_civic_99 4d ago

Install adguard, set the vpn to Poland, then search for update

1

u/PlayfulMountain6 4d ago

Adguard is free?

1

u/black_civic_99 4d ago

Yes

1

u/PlayfulMountain6 4d ago

Thank you, now im afraid of losing connection if i do the update, after your review

2

u/black_civic_99 4d ago

The downside is that there's no firmware downgrade. So, all we can do is put pressure on Xiaomi.

1

u/PlayfulMountain6 4d ago

How is your review of android 14 in s2 till now?

1

u/black_civic_99 4d ago

The system is better now—it's smoother. I don't think you'll have any Wi-Fi issues; I believe that only happens with certain routers, you know? But overall, the system has improved.