Warning! Galaxy S4 Active - Do not use Wifi channel 12 and above.

[raulik]

Hi,

I was having some Wifi performance issues using the common 2.4Ghz band. My router showed the unconventional channels 12 & 13 had zero interference as nobody else where I live is using them. These are unofficial channels and in some places illegal to use (though unlikely to have authorities notice or care let alone bother you about it).

Then my phone went to reconnect after I applied the change on my Wifi router. Laptop connects ok but phone simply says connecting, then does nothing. I tap and ask to connect again, same thing. I noticed it would not connect to any other Wifi network.

I did a factory reset on my phone, nothing and I have to setup my phone from scratch again now installing the apps I use and everything.

I enabled the 5Ghz Wifi on my router (also known as 5G Wifi). My phone connects.

In short, using Wifi channels 12 or above when using the regular Wireless 2.4Ghz band may break this phones Wifi chip for that particular band and only 5G Wifi will work.

This is on a phone that is about 3.5 years old.

Cheers.