Arduino: Esp8266 Wifi connection often disconnects (bcn_timout)

[stefanodelbosco]

Platform

• Hardware: NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP12E-Module)
• Core Version: latest git 2.4.2 && 2.2.1
• Development Env: Arduino IDE (last git) && Platformio 2.2.1
• Operating System: Ubuntu

Settings in IDE

• Module: Nodemcu
• Flash Size: 4MB
• CPU Frequency: 80Mhz
• Upload Using: OTA && SERIAL
• Upload Speed: [115200 (Serial)]

Problem Description

I looked for a solution between the various issues but none worked right now.
I have updated sdk to the latest version with git
The connection to the WiFi remains active for a time ranging from 30 seconds to 6 hours.
The module disconnects and reconnects by the connectDeviceToWiFi () function.

I tried to lower the time beecon in the router. Now it's every 30 ms (default 100ms).

I've been trying for three days to find a solution but the situation is not changing.
I tried with two different modules near the router and both give problems.

The RSSI signal is always between -70 and -78. I did a -68 signal tests but the problem persists.

I hope someone can help me.

MCVE Sketch

#include <Arduino.h>
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <ESP8266WebServer.h>
#include <ESP8266HTTPClient.h>
#include <ESP8266CustomTools.h>
#include "ota.h"
#include <ArduinoOTA.h>

ESP8266WebServer server(80);
ESP8266CustomTools device("SensorTest", D7, "sensor");

String IP_SERVER = "192.168.1.5";


void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(D7, INPUT);
  device.connectDeviceToWiFi();
  device.syncCurrentTimestamp();
  device.generateOTPSecret();
  server.on("/info", handleInfo);
  server.begin();
  Serial.println(ESP.getCoreVersion());
  Serial.println(ESP.getSdkVersion());

  ota_setup("Esp8266", "PASSWORD");
}

void loop() {
    server.handleClient();
    //Check if connection is alive
    device.connectDeviceToWiFi();
    //Update IP/MAC
    device.checkAndUpdateConnectionInfo();
    if(digitalRead(D7) == 0){
      Serial.println("Change state");
    }
    device.checkAndUpdateTimestampOTP();
    //OTA Check
    ArduinoOTA.handle();
    delay(10);
}

ESP8266CustomTools::connectDeviceToWiFi()

void ESP8266CustomTools::connectDeviceToWiFi(){
  while(WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED){
    WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
    WiFi.disconnect();
    delay(200);
    WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
    long timewait = 0;
    long timeout = 10000;
    while(WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED && timewait < timeout){
       delay(1000);
       timewait = timewait + 1000;
    }
    if(WiFi.status() == WL_CONNECTED){
      String IP = WiFi.localIP().toString();
      String MACADDRESS = WiFi.macAddress();
      MACADDRESS.toLowerCase();
      Serial.println(IP);
      HTTPClient http;
      http.begin("http://" + IP_SERVER + "/api/device/connected_wifi_device?ip=" + IP + "&mac=" + MACADDRESS + "&type=" + TYPE);
      int httpCode = http.GET();
      String payload = http.getString();
      if(httpCode == 200){
        Serial.println("Message sent");
        last_server_update = millis();
      }
      http.end();
    }
  }
}

Debug Messages

SDK:2.2.1(cfd48f3)/Core:2.4.2/lwIP:2.0.3(STABLE-2_0_3_RELEASE/glue:arduino-2.4.1-13-g163bb82)/BearSSL:6d1cefc
scandone
scandone
state: 0 -> 2 (b0)
state: 2 -> 3 (0)
state: 3 -> 5 (10)
add 0
aid 4
cnt 

connected with dlink-XXXX, channel 10
dhcp client start...
ip:192.168.1.4,mask:255.255.255.0,gw:192.168.1.1
192.168.1.4
    SyncIpServer httpCode: 200
    SyncTimestamp httpCode: 200
    SyncOTP httpCode: 200
    COREVersion: 2_4_2
    SDKVerison: 2.2.1(cfd48f3)

bcn_timout,ap_probe_send_start
ap_probe_send over, rest wifi status to disassoc
state: 5 -> 0 (1)
rm 0
pm close 7
scandone
scandone
state: 0 -> 2 (b0)
state: 2 -> 3 (0)
state: 3 -> 5 (10)
add 0
aid 4
cnt 

connected with dlink-XXXX, channel 10
dhcp client start...
ip:192.168.1.4,mask:255.255.255.0,gw:192.168.1.1
192.168.1.4
....

[d-a-v]

• try WiFi.mode(WIFI_NONE_SLEEP) (more power required)
• try pingAlive (unknown consequence on power)
• reading #2330 is a punishment, I wont tell you to do so
• we still don't have it but there's new nonos-sdk-v3 espressif API wifi_set_listen_interval()
  (parameter: interval - listen interval of maximum sleep level for modem sleep and light sleep. Unit: one beacon interval of AP. Range: [1, 10])

[stefanodelbosco]

try WiFi.mode(WIFI_NONE_SLEEP) (more power required)

I tried only WiFi.setSleepMode(WIFI_NONE_SLEEP)
It's been about 20 minutes and there were no disconnections. I think the problem was sleep mode.
I will wait a day of testing to see if the problem was actually that.

[stefanodelbosco]

After two days of testing, after applying that command, I had no more disconnections.
I think I found the problem and I would say that I can close this issue.
In case I have problems again, I will reopen the issues.
Thanks for the help @d-a-v

[PrateekGoyal18]

After two days of testing, after applying that command, I had no more disconnections.
I think I found the problem and I would say that I can close this issue.
In case I have problems again, I will reopen the issues.
Thanks for the help @d-a-v

Did you mention this line "WiFi.setSleepMode(WIFI_NONE_SLEEP)" in setup ?

[stefanodelbosco]

I think so.
I will check this evening and I will let you know.

[stefanodelbosco]

My code:

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
WiFi.setSleepMode(WIFI_NONE_SLEEP);
[.....]
}

[PrateekGoyal18]

Thanks @stefanodelbosco

[tablatronix]

I am having this issue suddenly , will not connect at all , if it does it disconnects quickly after
What is the deal with this ? sleep mode none made no difference

bcn_timout,ap_probe_send_start
ap_probe_send over, rest wifi status to disassoc
state: 5 -> 0 (1)
rm 0

[tablatronix]

It seems that if I call analogread too often my wifi drops out, I am not sure what mechanism is going on , I am trying to see how the adc works and how long the reads take and see if it is a wifi servicing issue but not enough for wdt.. does anyone know how to ensure wifi has time to service? Is a yeild() enough?

[e346615]

I'm still stuck on this same problem - the WIFI keeps dropping and I have to reconnect. I have maybe one or two seconds before it drops and has to reconnect. I have the board version 2.5.1 and an ESP-12S MCU I'm trying to use for simple UDP broadcasts. Does anybody have this WIFI dropping problem fixed yet?

[devyte]

@e346615 you need to test with latest git before asking that.

[e346615]

Yes, I did, but I read somewhere that only version 2.5.1 worked. I tried both, but neither are working for me.

[mayor89]

My problem was solved with this command WiFi.setSleepMode(WIFI_NONE_SLEEP); plus WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);. After this it is stable. Thank you!

[pryadav333]

it seems that the NodeMCU/ESP 8266 is not reliable for IoT projects where we need continuous wifi connectivity. It goes most of time in sleep mode and doesn't respond to the commands. Ideal all time wifi active should be its state. All wakeup commands fails most of time to wake up the nodemcu/esp8266

[d-a-v]

@pryadav333 This thread is closed. Please open a new issue if you still have this problem with version 2.6.0 of this core.