Vodafone - lack of signal?

Inapickle80

Apologies, I’m not very technically minded so this might not make sense! 

I’ve got my broadband via Vodafone, with my router in a clear area, but there are several times where my phone won’t connect to it.

I have access to two neighbour’s wifi, and my iPhone would rather connect to my neighbour’s about 40ft away than my own which is more like 4ft! It’s only if I manually open my wifi settings and physically choose my own Vodafone that it’ll connect. 

Why might this be? It’s set to auto connect, and doesn’t seem to matter if I’m streaming something on tv at the time. 

I am out of contract and could get a better deal, but only by a few quid each month so not sure if it’s worthy of a switch, or if that would rectify my issue.

Thanks in advance 

LippyDoodle

Once you have set which WiFi connection you want your phone to connect to you shouldn't need to keep doing so, not unless you disconnect your phone from it. 

neilmcl

Is your neighbour aware of you connection to their wifi? You must have deliberately attempted to connect to it in the past. I suggest you go to your network setting and "forget" that network so that it doesn't interfere with you connecting to your own.

Inapickle80

LippyDoodle said:

Once you have set which WiFi connection you want your phone to connect to you shouldn't need to keep doing so, not unless you disconnect your phone from it. 

This is what I thought, but it would rather connect to a different network, even when my router is just a few foot away. 

JJ_Egan

Could be the Iphone auto connect is faulty .

Inapickle80

neilmcl said:

Is your neighbour aware of you connection to their wifi? You must have deliberately attempted to connect to it in the past. I suggest you go to your network setting and "forget" that network so that it doesn't interfere with you connecting to your own.

They are, yes. I’m very good friends with my neighbours and we all spend a fair amount of time at each other’s homes, which is why I have permission to join their networks. They also have access to mine. 

Inapickle80

JJ_Egan said:

Could be the Iphone auto connect is faulty .

I believe it’s the router in this case, my Ring doorbell always has poor connection and sometimes streaming services will stop/glitch whilst watching a programme. 

LippyDoodle

Inapickle80 said:

LippyDoodle said:

Once you have set which WiFi connection you want your phone to connect to you shouldn't need to keep doing so, not unless you disconnect your phone from it. 

This is what I thought, but it would rather connect to a different network, even when my router is just a few foot away. 

Well...I don't know what else to say other then call vodafone or pop in their shop if you have one in your town. Carphone warehouse will also help if you have one of those. 

glennevis

I have a Vodafone router and it does have very poor WiFi signal strength.
When stood less than 2m from it in my lounge the signal from my neighbour's sky router is stronger despite having to go through the dividing wall. I don't have their password so of course my devices do not connect.

Devices will connect to the strongest WiFi signal for which you have a password so, as already advised, you will have to forget your neighbour's password(s) to stop it happening.
You can check the signal strengths as you wander around by installing a WiFi Analyser app on your phone. My phone is android but I assume an app is available for the IPhone.

flaneurs_lobster

Have you got Vodafone's latest (released 2019) THG3000 router? Looks like this:


If you've got the older one then ask them for a replacement. Might be an easy fix (or at least be a bit better).

Inapickle80

I’m glad I’m not the only one, my next door is always stronger too. 

I’ve got the older router, so I’ll contact them about a new one, thank you.