Setting Channel

[Wifiwoes]

Hi, I have a Vodafone THG3000 router.

I have an owlet smart sock for my baby who has breathing problems which I rely on heavily. It keeps disconnecting from the WiFi randomly. After reading into it, I suspect it is to do with the WiFi channel. I have split the SSID and the problem still persists. I tried to fix the WiFi channel but the setting isn’t available. We called Vodafone who offered poor advice and seemed confused by our request to fix the channel. Is there a way to do this? If not, can I use another router? We have an old Sky router (SR102) and a plusnet hub one that we could potentially try instead. I’m not that savvy with this side of things so struggling to find a solution. Owlet have been very poor in their support. The device is fantastic and is our early warning to take our child to hospital so the lack of consistency in its connection is very frustrating. It worked perfectly for a couple of months and ever since has been offline more often than online. Owlet replaced the base station but the problem stayed the same. Any help would be much appreciated 

[Cynric]

@Wifiwoes Vodafone, in their infinite wisdom, removed the ability to manually set the channel number.

Some people have tried loading an older version of the Android app which still has the capability.

You can use an alternative router to replace the THG3000 or use it connected to the Vodafone router to provide WiFi. You would turn off WiFi on the Vodafone one.

[Ripshod]

Another option would be a cheap plugin extender for the unit to connect to.

Is wired ethernet an option? 

[Wifiwoes]

Thankyou for your help. Wired Ethernet isn’t an option with the owlet unfortunately. 
Would something like this work? Would I need to manually set a channel on a extender?https://www.currys.co.uk/products/tplink-tlwa855re-v2-wifi-range-extender-n300-singleband-10175583.h...

[Ripshod]

I have a TP-linkWA850RE as an emergency tool and it'll do the job if needed. I've had a look at the manual for the one you linked and the options seem much the same. I would be concerned about it being a V2, more specifically with firmware updates. Think it'll do the job though. 

[HappyNomad]

---

@Wifiwoes wrote:

Hi, I have a Vodafone THG3000 router.

It keeps disconnecting from the WiFi randomly. After reading into it, I suspect it is to do with the WiFi channel. I have split the SSID and the problem still persists. I tried to fix the WiFi channel but the setting isn’t available. 

---

You might want to consider wifi range issues.  The THG3000 by reputation and in my personal experience was/is shockingly poor range wise.  
With mine, Apple devices (5.0 ghz) dropped out frequently even though they were only in the next room (albeit with a thick external wall between them) and upstairs my Kindle (2.4 ghz) and a smart TV/ Netflix streaming - not a chance.

I retired the Vodafone hub and replaced it with a modem and a mesh router with three mesh nodes around the house.  Never looked back and never had to manually change or select channels and never had trouble connecting 2.4ghz devices.

Probably worth saying that changing your Vodafone router for another ISP’s device is unlikely to be a solution unless they are allow you to enter your Vodafone PPPoE details..  Using one as an access point/extender is not entirely problem free either - generally, they are single mode modem router devices and will work as such but properly set up with wifi turned of on the VF device and DHCP turned off on the 'new' device you may well find a workable solution.

Good luck and hope you get it sorted.

[Jayach]

Sorry to hear of your child's heath problems, personally I find the Wi-Fi capabilities of the THG3000 adequate. However, like many ISP routers (especially the lower end ones) it's not the best.

Replacing it with a 3rd party router is probably the best course on action, or as @Ripshod says a access point may be all you need.

Using an old ex-ISP router is not likely to help.

Without more information on your personal situation (are you on FTTP or FTTC for instance) it is impossible to make any specific recommendations.