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New Member

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2 Messages

Thursday, July 16th, 2020 2:36 AM

MF279 wireless internet started dropping internet connection but all lights are good

I can get internet for my devices if I use my Verizon phone hotspot, but despite all lights being green on my MF279 it keeps dropping the internet connection. I have 4 bars of connectivity.   This just started a few weeks ago.  I need help but can't stay connected to the ATT chat long enough to complete a help session!

 

ATT, please help!

Community Support

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230.7K Messages

3 years ago

Greetings @Seahawk97,

 

We hate to hear that you're having issues with your wireless home internet. We'd like to get to the bottom of this for you but, need to ask you some questions.

  • Have you reset the MF729 device? 
  • Have you thought about getting another hotspot router or upgrading?
  • Do you know the speed in which the hotspot router is running?

Jacob, AT&T Community Specialist 

Community Support

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230.7K Messages

3 years ago

Greetings @docholiday89!

 

We want to look into your ZTE MF279's intermittent disconnection. However, we'd like a little more info about your experience.

  • Does your ZTE MF279 randomly disconnects when the router isn't attached to it?
  • What color are the bars and are they solid or flashing? Move your device to another area where it may obtain sufficient network signal (three [3] to four [4] bars).
  • Make sure that the SIM card isn't missing or not installed properly.
    • You will want to remove and reinsert the SIM card and check whether the device maintains its connection.
    • The SIM card may be invalid or damaged, and may need to be replaced. For a replacement SIM card, take your AT&T Wireless Internet device to your local AT&T store, or call AT&T Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500.

Also, when restarting your device you'll want to refresh the network list on the device you are trying to connect.

 

Let us know how this worked for you.

 

Lar, AT&T Community Specialist

New Member

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2 Messages

3 years ago

I have 5 of these MF279 devices for my business clients. All using different towers. No issues until Oct 2020...now constant issues of them dropping from the cell towers. All lights stay green 2+ bars. I’ve re-seated SIMs, replaced SIMs, replaced devices, added new devices to sub-accounts, & created entirely new accounts. Nothing has worked. THIS IS AN AT&T ISSUE. 

I’ve read through a number of forums & the issue appears to be with AT&T’s proxy servers dropping port 80 requests. Many users have found workarounds if they use a VPN vs AT&T‘s proxy servers.

AT&T— what is your response to this issue? Has anyone looked into your proxy servers as the problem?

(edited)

New Member

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1 Message

3 years ago

I brought the unit home 2+ months ago and it was GREAT.  Then, a couple of weeks ago it started dropping internet intermittently and now it drops all the time.  Signal strength is 3 (out of the 4) bars (good for the area I live in) consistently and will show this on the unit even when it will not connect.  I have rebooted the unit many times and am now resorting to using my verizon mobile hotspot.  Please advise....if I could check for software updates I would, but my admin dashboard does not offer a way to do this (there does not even seem to be a settings button...weird!).  I only have 3 devices connected.

New Member

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8 Messages

3 years ago

ffcssmitht
 Can you explain more about the workaround people have found? Thx

New Member

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2 Messages

3 years ago

@philmw People have been able to keep a stable connection by using a VPN service (such NordVPN). However, that workaround involves paying a monthly fee to a private VPN service & can cause a host of other issues if the connecting server is slow, down, etc.

Instead...AT&T needs to address this issue or lose a bunch of customers.

This is the post explaining about the VPN workaround.

New Member

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1 Message

3 years ago

I am also tired of this M279. I have mine in a high location (good connection) so I have to get an a ladder several times a day to reboot! Yes I have called useless customer service. Yes I and checked settings, restarted, etc. I never lose signal, just internet! Why doesn't anyone at ATT know what is going on. 

Contributor

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3 Messages

3 years ago

Hello Lar,

I have reset it with no changes to the MF279's behavior.

I would consider an upgrade, but all I see is a similar device.  What are the options and cost?

Signal strength is typically -96dbm with download speeds between 45 Mbps to 65Mbps depending on the time of day.  

So when it's online it works great.  It just started dropping the connection about 4 times a day.

Thanks

New Member

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1 Message

3 years ago

Maybe a hardware thing. I have the same issue in Canada on Rogers with my MF279 (found this via google). It was stable but the last month or so (late October) it has needed reset several times a day to get back online.

New Member

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4 Messages

2 years ago

I was told Friday that my MF279 was part of the shutdown of the 3g network and I would need to upgrade my device and that I can't use it for trade in device either so I am checking other unlimited plans elsewhere.   Bad enough the price we pay for Phone's, tablet's, and wifi and then the service they can pick and choose our devices now will work on.  It's absurd and shouldn't be their decision either but that's the big business way!!  Lost my business and alot of others I know of they done this too.  

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