Trouble with Zebra Scanners Disconnecting on WiFi
Asked by
TechieTim88
Hey everyone! I've got a bit of a challenge on my hands. We're using 802.1x for our corporate WiFi with Cisco ISE, all set up on flex mode with a virtual 9800 router running version 17.15.3. Our WiFi is configured with 802.11r, 11k, 11v, and we have optional protected frames enabled. The EAP timers are set to authenticate every day and after 1 hour of idle time.
The issue arises with our Zebra scanners and printers that connect to the network—they get assigned to their own dynamic VLAN. Until recently, everything worked smoothly, but we've switched from Windows CE scanners to MC9400 models running Android, managed remotely via SOTI.
Now, at two of our locations, the scanners keep disconnecting. They show no connection on the device and don't appear on SOTI. I know one site has solid WiFi coverage with little interference, so I'm at a loss. I've updated the scanners, but I'm hesitant to disable protected frames or adjust the idle timers since everything else seems to be functioning properly. Has anyone encountered similar issues and have advice on what I could try? Thanks for your help!
Answers
I’ve been dealing with similar problems on devices like the ET40s and TC72s—constant disconnects too. What worked somewhat for us was restricting the WiFi to only accept 2.4GHz connections. It still drops occasionally, but it’s definitely more stable than before. I think some sites have different hardware setups that lead to more frequent drops, which can be super frustrating. This started happening for us about a year ago, so you’re not alone!
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ScannerSavvy10: That’s a good idea! I might look into that option on SOTI. I’d prefer not to set up a separate SSID or alter anything on the controller if the other sites are fine with the same model.