Weak WiFi signal

[Johnstac]

I received my Model 3 Performance today. It was delivered to my home. One of my primary problems is a very weak WiFi signal. This is causing my phone to lose connection, delayed responses to voice commands and other UI slowness. When the delivery specialist was here, we had some of the same problems. He had no answers to fixing it. I asked him if I could connect my car to my home WiFi and said no. Is this true and if so, do I have any options to increase the signal strength. I will say that even though I live in SoCal, my neighborhood lies in an area that seems to have poor wireless signal strength with both Verizon and AT&T. Perhaps it has something to do with cell towers. I’m just wondering if Tesla acquires signals from satellite or other source? I notice that if I drive about 10 minutes towards the interstate, the signal improves dramatically. Thoughts?

 

[dswansonsb]

You might want to get something like this:

Google Wifi - Mesh Wi-Fi Router - Google Store

 

[pdamski]

Your car can and should connect to your home WiFi router. Touch the LTE icon on the top of the screen and you will find the means for connecting to your home router. I assume that you have a good WiFi signal from your router to your car? If not, see the response above.

 

[jlghertner]

Your car can and should connect to your home WiFi router. Touch the LTE icon on the top of the screen and you will find the means for connecting to your home router. I assume that you have a good WiFi signal from your router to your car? If not, see the response above.

My M3 would not connect to my two routers, my friends router or my hotspot. But it downloaded V9 over LTE IN LESS THAN ONE HR.

 

[xilex]

I think Tesla uses the AT&T network for its mobile connection, so if your entire neighborhood has weak signal, then it can't be helped until AT&T decides to upgrade their network there. You can try using your phone as a hotspot, but I can't verify if it will use the hotspot connection to do the stuff you are having issues with. You can install a AT&T MicroCell Wireless Network Extender and your home will get good coverage.

 

[Cosmacelf]

I received my Model 3 Performance today. It was delivered to my home. One of my primary problems is a very weak WiFi signal. This is causing my phone to lose connection, delayed responses to voice commands and other UI slowness. When the delivery specialist was here, we had some of the same problems. He had no answers to fixing it. I asked him if I could connect my car to my home WiFi and said no. Is this true and if so, do I have any options to increase the signal strength. I will say that even though I live in SoCal, my neighborhood lies in an area that seems to have poor wireless signal strength with both Verizon and AT&T. Perhaps it has something to do with cell towers. I’m just wondering if Tesla acquires signals from satellite or other source? I notice that if I drive about 10 minutes towards the interstate, the signal improves dramatically. Thoughts?

Are you mixing up cellular wireless and WiFi? They are two different things.

 

[Johnstac]

Not good news so far. While there are two networks in range, the system did not detect them. When entered manually, both networks were confirmed BUT both show just one bar when connected. In reality both networks are weak in the garage, at just 2-3 bars. So I am a bit conflicted here. I read some posts that indicated that when there are two or more networks in range, the vehicle can confuse the networks and display just one bar regardless of the actual strength. On the other hand, a few of you have recommended the Google Mesh WiFi system. Others that have tried this had no success. But I’m going to buy it at Costco so at least if it doesn’t work, I can return it. For now I just removed all the networks because the car gets 3 bars by itself and displays LTE while when it’s connected to mt network, it shows just the one bar and no LTE. I’m a little bummed that others have already received the latest software update for track mode but I have not got that yet. I’ll update this thread as I progress.

 

[Johnstac]

I think Tesla uses the AT&T network for its mobile connection, so if your entire neighborhood has weak signal, then it can't be helped until AT&T decides to upgrade their network there. You can try using your phone as a hotspot, but I can't verify if it will use the hotspot connection to do the stuff you are having issues with. You can install a AT&T MicroCell Wireless Network Extender and your home will get good coverage.

Regarding the extender you mentioned here, would that do anything for me if I don’t otherwise have any AT&T services? Meaning, could I use that extender as a standalone device to increase the Tesla’s range to AT&T? My home internet is provided by Frontier FIOS.

 

[xilex]

Regarding the extender you mentioned here, would that do anything for me if I don’t otherwise have any AT&T services? Meaning, could I use that extender as a standalone device to increase the Tesla’s range to AT&T? My home internet is provided by Frontier FIOS.

No, it would only give Tesla a strong signal over the cellular network when it's parked at your house.

 

[Johnstac]

No, it would only give Tesla a strong signal over the cellular network when it's parked at your house.

Well, that’s kind of what I was asking. So then yes, I could use it as a stand-alone device to boost AT&Ts signal and it would provide more bars on the vehicles display? This might be a good option if the Google Mesh WiFi doesn’t work.

Edit: I was looking for a price on their website but found under point 2 in the FAQ section that this device is no longer being sold.

 

[xilex]

Well, that’s kind of what I was asking. So then yes, I could use it as a stand-alone device to boost AT&Ts signal and it would provide more bars on the vehicles display? This might be a good option if the Google Mesh WiFi doesn’t work.

Edit: I was looking for a price on their website but found under point 2 in the FAQ section that this device is no longer being sold.

If you're looking to get better connectivity for the car only when it's parked at the home, then I think it's better to boost your wifi network with mesh or wifi range extenders and have car connect to wifi during that time.

Can you clarify your goal? Is your goal to have good connectivity when the car is parked at home? Once the car leaves your home, only AT&T can fix the signal issues.

 

[VT_EE]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought HD maps would only download over WIFI. You definitely want to be connected to WIFI at home, not LTE. The mesh WIFI network install sounds like a good plan.

 

[Johnstac]

Okay, so I spent the day purchasing and installing a Netgear ORBI system. Made a huge difference in the house. Not quite enough in the garage though. Tomorrow I may try moving a satellite (ORBI unit) directly in the garage. Right now though, the signal went from 1 bar to 3 bars. I think 4 bars is the highest right? Hoping that it will download the latest track mode update.

I guess I misunderstood about the LTE symbol. I thought that perhaps LTE meant that Tesla’s connection was superior to my own. I’m guessing that it actually was when I had just one bar showing. Now with 3 bars, maybe I’ve got a chance. Thoughts?

 

[cmghoughton]

You might want to get something like this:

Google Wifi - Mesh Wi-Fi Router - Google Store

I have the Google Wifi mesh setup and I'm having problems with it. I love the system in the home and it works great for streaming, games, etc but just don't seem to like the M3. I'm looking at setting up a different network just for the car. The Google Wifi works but it's only getting 1-2 bars when my phone is like maxed out. I hope this is why I'm not getting the update, 2020 M3 still on V9, it's killing me.

 

[mswlogo]

Are you mixing up cellular wireless and WiFi? They are two different things.

Yes he is, big time.

If AT&T Cellular service is weak in his neighborhood he is SOL, but not a show stopper. He'll still get updates OTA. He'll get flagged for updates when he does get good signal and when he get's home it will update over Wifi that he has full control over. I found Model 3 likes 5.0Ghz a lot more than 2.4Ghz. He won't get very good streaming service around his neighborhood. But it doesn't need more than 2 bars to work perfectly fine. I'm not sure if Voice Command is all local or uploaded.

 

[postersw]

I had similar frustrating problems getting a strong enough WiFi signal to my garage. My router alone was not strong enough to reach into the (attached) garage. So I bought a $40 Netgear extender and while it worked for a phone it in garage, it would still NOT work for my M3. So then I bought a mesh network for my Xfinity (actually Technicolor) router and that created a very strong signal in the garage but the M3 would still not connect to it. So I plugged my NetGear extender back in to an outlet next to the garage, and now the extender (together with the mesh network) was strong enough that the M3 picked up the signal. Final result: Netgear extender alone - not strong enough. Mesh network alone - M3 wouldn't connect. Netgear + Mesh network - success. Go figure! (Might have something to do with 2.4 vs. 5Ghz bands).

 

[RFernatt]

Google WiFi mesh for my setup and works great in the house and with the car. I have a mesh unit in the garage for my Sense device in the breaker box, JuiceBox EVSE, SolarEdge inverter (wired and using the mesh unit as a bridge), Google Home mini, and the car. The garage is a busy network area!

 

[postersw]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought HD maps would only download over WIFI. You definitely want to be connected to WIFI at home, not LTE. The mesh WIFI network install sounds like a good plan.

My experience with maps (both Satellite view and road-only view) is that they only download over cellular in real-time. If I drive to an area where there is no cell service, the maps disappear and I am left with a gray screen only. Not very friendly in the mountains in Washington state.