Wi-Fi Connectivity Icon - Meanings

[jcm21f150kr]

The typical google searches are not providing me with what I need and the Ford site, while naming these as Wi-Fi Connectivity Icon did not provide any definitions. I believe I am running Power up version 2.7.3. The wi-fi icon when powering up in accessory mode commonly has an "i" embedded into the icon. When forcing a connection to my home network, it is just the "fan" icon, without the "i'. What does the "i" mean?

Sponsored

 

[Orlando150]

The WiFi symbol with the "i" means that there are available networks but you are not connected to them.

 

[jcm21f150kr]

The WiFi symbol with the "i" means that there are available networks but you are not connected to them.

Thank you. I suspected that. Do you know when the truck goes fully to sleep and disconnects fully from a wi-fi network or why? My phone, as an example, disconnects from my home wi-fi network when I am out of range. However, when I return home, it automatically reconnects. Do you know why I need to keep reconnecting to my home network?

 

[Orlando150]

Thank you. I suspected that. Do you know when the truck goes fully to sleep and disconnects fully from a wi-fi network or why? My phone, as an example, disconnects from my home wi-fi network when I am out of range. However, when I return home, it automatically reconnects. Do you know why I need to keep reconnecting to my home network?

I don't have that issue. My vehicle automatically connects when it is near my home WiFi. You might check your signal strength where you keep your truck. A weak signal can have issues connecting even if it detects it.


BTW I checked and the "i" icon can be disabled in the WiFi settings. It is called "WiFi Availability Notification". Useful if you don't want to see it every time you drive to Starbucks.

 

[jcm21f150kr]

A little follow-up on this. I had the wi-fi hotspot enabled on the truck. I turned the hotspot off to see if it had any impact on the stability of wi-fi connectivity to my home network. Initial testing suggests that they interfere with each other, but I cannot be certain. Has anyone else had this issue or performed a test?

 

[Orlando150]

Wifi networks running on the same channel can interfere with each other. https://www.hospitalitywifi.com/wifi-university/wifi-interference/
There are apps that let you scan nearby wifi to see if they overlap. https://gizmodo.com/the-best-wifi-analyzer-apps-to-troubleshoot-your-networ-1843957301

If the hotspot and your home overlap you should change the channel on one of them. I don't think there is a way to change the hotspot channel but you probably can do it easily on your home router control panel.

 

[Snakebitten]

Or you can change the frequency of the trucks Hotspot. Would that accomplish the same thing?

 

[Orlando150]

Or you can change the frequency of the trucks Hotspot. Would that accomplish the same thing?

Yes although the 5ghz option is faster so it would be ideal to have it for both networks. Changing the channel (if that is indeed the issue) would fix the interference without sacrifing performance.

 

[Snakebitten]

Yes although the 5ghz option is faster so it would be ideal to have it for both networks. Changing the channel (if that is indeed the issue) would fix the interference without sacrifing performance.

True, but having a faster WiFi segment isn't really that critical on an LTE network though, is it?

I'm just saying I don't think anyone connected to the truck with their device would be able to discern the difference

 

[sbi]

A little follow-up on this. I had the wi-fi hotspot enabled on the truck. I turned the hotspot off to see if it had any impact on the stability of wi-fi connectivity to my home network. Initial testing suggests that they interfere with each other, but I cannot be certain. Has anyone else had this issue or performed a test?

Oh, yes, they do

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/school-me-on-the-built-in-hotspot.10931/

 

[Orlando150]

For anyone who might find this thread later, here is the page in the manual with the icon descriptions.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False

Sponsored