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Featured Announcement Article

  • 7.1.0b11 Firmware Released

    Today WiFiRanger released a major upgrade to its firmware (version 7.1.0b11) which provides major data throughput improvements, compatibility with 5G cellular modems, an updated user interface and lots of new features. The new update is accompanied by a detailed WiFiRanger User’s Guide so users can easily familiarize themselves with the new features. If you do […]

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Featured Blog Post

  • I don’t care about the upcoming 3G shutdown… or should I?

    I kept seeing articles explaining that the cellular carriers plan on shutting down their 3G networks later this year and my first inclination was to ignore them because I’m a “high tech” kind of guy who only has 4G hardware. But after I started doing a bit more reading, I began to understand that I […]

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Service Bulletins

Keep Current with Technical Issues

Disabling-WiFiRanger-Remote-Assistance

A fundamental aspect of WiFiRanger’s design philosophy for more than a decade has been the ability to support it’s products through a secure, cloud-based link to WiFiRanger’s servers. This link provides for notifications of firmware updates, downloading of those updates, and it supports remote diagnostics of customer routers when needed by WiFiRanger support staff.

Although most customers have appreciated the benefits afforded by this capability, some have asked us to provide an ability to disable it. Therefore, WiFiRanger has implemented a feature which allows customers to disable this remote access. The purpose of this notice is to provide customers with information about how to implement this feature.

However, anyone contemplating using this new feature should understand that their Ranger will no longer automatically indicate the presence of firmware updates so long as it is enabled. Nor will you be able to download any such updates until you reverse your actions and re-enable Remote Assistance.

Also, the WiFiRanger Customer Service team will not be able to perform many diagnostic functions in the event of a problem with your Ranger. If you have a problem with your Ranger, please re-enable Remote Support before contacting Customer Service.

Lastly, a number of cloud-based WiFiRanger features such as SafeSurf and Configuration Backup will not be functional when Remote Assistance has been disabled.

Here are step-by-step directions for disabling Remote Assistance:

1. Make sure your WiFiRanger device is on the current firmware (version 7.1.0b11) and that your Ranger is online

2. Click on the Check for Updates/Cloud Disconnected link in the upper right corner of every WiFiRanger control panel page until blue bars start to scroll. They will scroll for a couple of minutes; you may have to click twice

3. Login into the admin page at “your control panel IP address” with /admin added.  The default username and password are admin/wfradmin (you will need to use the numeric address for the control panel, not mywifiranger.com)

4. Click on the “SETUP” tab

5. Turn off “Sync Data”

6. Select “Admin” profile dropdown; load the “WFR Disable Remote Assistance” profile

7.  Click on “Save” at the bottom of the page to save your actions

iPhone-Connection-Issues

UPDATE Apple iOS 15.4.1 – Some Apple devices running iOS 15.x have experienced issues when trying to connect to WiFi networks as we have noted here. These issues have affected the ability of iPhones and other devices to connect to WiFiRanger WiFi broadcasts. The specific nature of the issues appear to vary from device to device, but they include difficulty in connecting to WiFi and poor WiFi performance. We recommend that you upgrade to iOS 15.4.1 to help eliminate some or potentially all of these issues. For more information on what Apple is doing click on this link: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253168824?answerId=255963655022#255963655022 

We expect that Apple will soon issue firmware updates to address these problems.

05-2020-Converge-Cable-Shutters

The following Service Bulletin recommends changes to procedures or installation standards to improve usability and reliability of WiFiRanger products:

TSB ID 05-2020 Converge Cable Shutters
DescriptionSwap out original cable shutters for improved version
UrgencyAs Needed
Product LineAll Outdoor Converge Routers (shipped prior to 05-2020)
Old Design
New Design

It is recommended to upgrade to the new Converge Cable Shutters if upgrading models or replacing parts. The new Cable Shutter design is more robust than the previous old design. The reassembly process is also much easier using the new Cable Shutter design. The new Cable Shutters also have improved strain relief.

Outdoor Converge upgrade kits will include the new shutters once available. If replacing parts or wanting to upgrade to the new shutter design, contact tech support to have the new Cable Shutters included.

01-2020-Verizon-Activation

The following Service Bulletin recommends changes to procedures or installation standards to improve usability and reliability of WiFiRanger products:

TSB ID 01-2020-Verizon-Activation
DescriptionNo Official Verizon Support for Integrated WiFiRanger LTE Modems
(WORKAROUND: USB tether / WiFi for WAN to Verizon MiFi, Aircard, Smartphone or request alternative carrier SIM card from WiFiRanger)
UrgencyAs Needed
Product LineAll LTE Enabled Products

Changes in carrier plans and different geographies pose challenges to customers trying to activate and use Verizon SIM cards within embedded WiFiRanger LTE modems. If customers seek to utilize Verizon as their data carrier of choice on WiFiRanger, then the official recommendation is to do so with a supported Verizon MiFi, smartphone, or aircard via USB tethering or WiFi for WAN. WiFiRanger is currently in the process of obtaining official support with Verizon, but cannot guarantee Verizon data plans will work on integrated WiFiRanger modems at this time. Until such time, it is recommended to use Verizon through WiFiRangers via USB tethering or WiFi for WAN rather than integrated LTE modems. Otherwise, request a SIM card from AT&T or Millenicom (T-Mobile’s network) from WiFiRanger if desiring to use an alternative carrier for an integrated WiFiRanger LTE modem.

View Supported USB LTE Devices

The issue is not related to hardware and cannot be resolved by changing out WiFiRanger integrated LTE modems or upgrading to new WiFiRanger routers. Rather, the issue is related to end-customer data plans, their location within the United States, and other non-WiFiRanger difficulties.

WiFiRanger is continuing to work through the Verizon approval process. Once completed, official support for Verizon data plans will be announced for nationwide acceptance and coverage of WiFiRanger integrated LTE modems on the Verizon network.

04-2019-5amp

The following Service Bulletin recommends changes to procedures or installation standards to improve usability and reliability of WiFiRanger(TM) products:

TSB ID  04-2019-5amp
Description Recommendation of 5amp dedicated switched circuit
Urgency Moving forward on OE installations and as needed on AM installations
Product Line All DC POE enabled products with indoor/outdoor units 
Photo of a 12V fuse wire with the fuse housing area opened.

It is recommended that new installations of WiFiRanger(TM) products be isolated on a dedicated, 5amp switchable circuit to facilitate resets and limit shared circuit surges on the same circuit.  Units including the 24VDC step-up converter can be wired into the standard RV fuse panel and switch.  For aftermarket installations the included 5amp ATC fuse should be inserted to the power source.  

04-2019-24VDC

The following Service Bulletin recommends changes to procedures or installation standards to improve usability and reliability of WiFiRanger(TM) products:

TSB ID  04-2019-24VDC
Description Replacement of older 24VDC Step-up Converter
Urgency Immediate
Product Line All DC POE enabled products with indoor/outdoor units and pictured unit    
Photo of an AC power adapter.

If you are powering your WiFiRanger(TM) with an AC wall adapter (as pictured), NO further action is needed on your part.

Photo of a 12V Step-up converter which is prone to failure.

If you are powering your WiFiRanger(TM) with this step-up converter, please continue reading. This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is regarding certain power supplies delivered as part of WiFiRanger(TM) pack systems sold between 09/01/2016 and 03/15/2018. The affected power supplies were black with a silver label stating “WIFIRANGER DC STEP-UP CONVERTER” with two mounting screw holes on each side. Please review your 12V DC power supply on your WiFiRanger(TM) Pack. If it is the one in the picture below please stop using it immediately. We have found that in the rare situation that the below power supply fails, it may overheat causing permanent damage to your WiFiRanger(TM) products.

04-2019-PreWire

The following Service Bulletin recommends changes to procedures or installation standards to improve usability and reliability of WiFiRanger(TM) products:

  TSB ID  04-2019-PreWire
  DescriptionDescription of PreWire cat 5 requirements for POE enabled ODU’s
  Urgency Moving forward on OE installations, as needed on After Market installations
  Product Line All DC POE enabled products with indoor/outdoor units 
Diagram of an ethernet cable with the proper pinout for WiFiRanger routers.

It is recommended that new installations of WiFiRanger(TM) products utilize a UV rated, high-quality cat 5 wire terminated in the EIA/TIA 568B standard for use as inter-device communication from indoor router to ODU roof unit.  Ends do not require shielding; but do require the wire standard pictured here.