WiFi connections unstable

[Lisa Nelson]

I have 3 WiFi signals here, and use them all without issue most of the time. Since upgrading to 17.04 I have issues where my wifi will not connect to one of the other 2 signals, then also won't re-connect to the signal that was just in use. When this happens, I can do a 'restart' and it will connect just fine to any of the 3 signals.

While it was failing a bit ago, I captured the syslog of whats going on and will include it below.

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 17.04
Release: 17.04
Codename: zesty

Linux lisa-Inspiron-7720 4.10.0-28-generic #32-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jun 30 05:32:18 UTC 2017 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.2717] device (wlp2s0): Activation: starting connection 'LisaN' (58396782-9fe4-4ce3-b0e6-f72df56c72d5)
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.2720] audit: op="connection-activate" uuid="58396782-9fe4-4ce3-b0e6-f72df56c72d5" name="LisaN" pid=1962 uid=1000 result="success"
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.2723] device (wlp2s0): state change: disconnected -> prepare (reason 'none') [30 40 0]
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.2725] manager: NetworkManager state is now CONNECTING
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.2779] device (wlp2s0): set-hw-addr: set-cloned MAC address to C4:D9:87:6E:9B:0F (permanent)
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 312.891148] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 312.898132] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 312.898220] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: Radio type=0x2-0x1-0x0
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 313.183332] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 313.190314] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 313.190403] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: Radio type=0x2-0x1-0x0
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 313.274573] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlp2s0: link is not ready
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6644] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: inactive -> disabled
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6649] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none') [40 50 0]
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6654] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) access point 'LisaN' has security, but secrets are required.
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6654] device (wlp2s0): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none') [50 60 0]
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6728] device (wlp2s0): state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none') [60 40 0]
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6735] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none') [40 50 0]
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6738] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) connection 'LisaN' has security, and secrets exist. No new secrets needed.
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6739] Config: added 'ssid' value 'LisaN'
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6740] Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6740] Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'WPA-PSK'
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6740] Config: added 'psk' value '<omitted>'
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: Can't set a parent on widget which has a parent
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: Can't set a parent on widget which has a parent
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.7127] sup-iface[0x55b98e0536e0,wlp2s0]: config: set interface ap_scan to 1
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.7128] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disabled -> inactive
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.7242] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: inactive -> scanning
Jul 13 09:52:42 lisa-Inspiron-7720 wpa_supplicant[1259]: wlp2s0: SME: Trying to authenticate with 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d (SSID='LisaN' freq=5540 MHz)
Jul 13 09:52:42 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 316.545939] wlp2s0: authenticate with 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d
Jul 13 09:52:42 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 316.548700] wlp2s0: send auth to 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d (try 1/3)
Jul 13 09:52:42 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961162.9410] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> authenticating
Jul 13 09:52:44 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 317.839723] wlp2s0: send auth to 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d (try 2/3)
Jul 13 09:52:45 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 318.826903] wlp2s0: send auth to 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d (try 3/3)
Jul 13 09:52:46 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 319.823703] wlp2s0: authentication with 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d timed out
Jul 13 09:52:46 lisa-Inspiron-7720 wpa_supplicant[1259]: wlp2s0: CTRL-EVENT-SSID-TEMP-DISABLED id=0 ssid="LisaN" auth_failures=1 duration=10 reason=CONN_FAILED
Jul 13 09:52:46 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961166.2414] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating -> disconnected
Jul 13 09:52:56 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961176.2462] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Jul 13 09:52:59 lisa-Inspiron-7720 wpa_supplicant[1259]: wlp2s0: CTRL-EVENT-SSID-REENABLED id=0 ssid="LisaN"
Jul 13 09:52:59 lisa-Inspiron-7720 wpa_supplicant[1259]: wlp2s0: SME: Trying to authenticate with 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d (SSID='LisaN' freq=5540 MHz)
Jul 13 09:52:59 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 332.930475] wlp2s0: authenticate with 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d
Jul 13 09:52:59 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 332.932658] wlp2s0: send auth to 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d (try 1/3)
Jul 13 09:52:59 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961179.3246] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> authenticating
Jul 13 09:53:00 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 333.808369] wlp2s0: send auth to 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d (try 2/3)
Jul 13 09:53:01 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 334.800404] wlp2s0: send auth to 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d (try 3/3)
Jul 13 09:53:02 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 335.792458] wlp2s0: authentication with 44:94:fc:76:8d:7d timed out
Jul 13 09:53:02 lisa-Inspiron-7720 wpa_supplicant[1259]: wlp2s0: CTRL-EVENT-SSID-TEMP-DISABLED id=0 ssid="LisaN" auth_failures=2 duration=20 reason=CONN_FAILED
Jul 13 09:53:02 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961182.2052] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating -> disconnected
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <warn> [1499961185.4099] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) association took too long, failing activation
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961185.4100] device (wlp2s0): state change: config -> failed (reason 'ssid-not-found') [50 120 53]
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961185.4108] manager: NetworkManager state is now DISCONNECTED
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961185.4112] policy: disabling autoconnect for connection 'LisaN'.
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <warn> [1499961185.4126] device (wlp2s0): Activation: failed for connection 'LisaN'
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961185.4140] device (wlp2s0): state change: failed -> disconnected (reason 'none') [120 30 0]
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 339.026574] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlp2s0: link is not ready
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: Can't set a parent on widget which has a parent
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961185.4201] device (wlp2s0): set-hw-addr: set MAC address to BA:6E:E1:97:97:E0 (scanning)
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 339.034465] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 339.041440] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 339.041527] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: Radio type=0x2-0x1-0x0
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 339.333396] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 339.340383] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 339.340495] iwlwifi 0000:02:00.0: Radio type=0x2-0x1-0x0
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 kernel: [ 339.423438] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlp2s0: link is not ready
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961185.8169] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> disabled
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: Can't set a parent on widget which has a parent
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: Can't set a parent on widget which has a parent
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 nm-applet[1962]: gtk_widget_destroy: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961185.8689] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disabled -> inactive
Jul 13 09:53:05 lisa-Inspiron-7720 wpa_supplicant[1259]: wlp2s0: Reject scan trigger since one is already pending

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 17.04
Package: network-manager 1.4.4-1ubuntu3.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.10.0-28.32-generic 4.10.17
Uname: Linux 4.10.0-28-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia_drm nvidia_modeset nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.4-0ubuntu4.4
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Jul 13 10:07:02 2017
IfupdownConfig:
 # interfaces(5) file used by ifup(8) and ifdown(8)
 auto lo
 iface lo inet loopback
InstallationDate: Installed on 2017-06-10 (33 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 17.04 "Zesty Zapus" - Release amd64 (20170412)
NetworkManager.conf:
 [main]
 plugins=ifupdown,keyfile

 [ifupdown]
 managed=false
NetworkManager.state:
 [main]
 NetworkingEnabled=true
 WirelessEnabled=true
 WWANEnabled=true
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm-256color
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: network-manager
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
nmcli-dev:
 DEVICE TYPE STATE DBUS-PATH CONNECTION CON-UUID CON-PATH
 wlp2s0 wifi connected /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Devices/2 LisaN 58396782-9fe4-4ce3-b0e6-f72df56c72d5 /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/ActiveConnection/0
 enp3s0 ethernet unavailable /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Devices/1 -- -- --
 lo loopback unmanaged /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Devices/0 -- -- --
 ppp0 ppp unmanaged /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Devices/3 -- -- --
nmcli-nm:
 RUNNING VERSION STATE STARTUP CONNECTIVITY NETWORKING WIFI-HW WIFI WWAN-HW WWAN
 running 1.4.4 connected started full enabled enabled enabled enabled enabled

[Lisa Nelson (lisa50469)]

Adding text file of syslog for readability

[Lisa Nelson (lisa50469)]

Ok, I ran 16.04 since reporting this bug, then today installed 17.04 again (fresh install).
This is still a major issue with stability of wifi connections.

[Lisa Nelson (lisa50469)]

lisa@lisa-Inspiron-7720:~$ uname -a
Linux lisa-Inspiron-7720 4.10.0-35-generic #39-Ubuntu SMP Wed Sep 13 07:46:59 UTC 2017 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Still an issue! I REALLY hate it when I have to say WINDOWS works perfectly fine when I dual-boot to it vs. Ubuntu 17.04.

Even when I switch to a different Wifi this issue happens. I end up rebooting and it will work once again...

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

Try mainline kernel here:

http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.14-rc1/

[Lisa Nelson (lisa50469)]

Is there a PPA I need to install?  If so, where?  I tried
"add-apt-repository ppa:kernel-ppa/ppa" but it fails to update with
"Err:30 http://ppa.launchpad.net/kernel-ppa/ppa/ubuntu zesty
Release
  404  Not Found

On 09/23/2017 09:44 AM, Kai-Heng Feng wrote:
> Try mainline kernel here:
>
> http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.14-rc1/
>

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

- Download the linux kernel v4.14-rc2 deb [1].
- Double click the just downloaded file.
- Reboot to the 4.14.-rc2 kernel
- Check whether the bug still exists.

[1] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.14-rc2/linux-image-4.14.0-041400rc2-generic_4.14.0-041400rc2.201709242031_amd64.deb

[Lisa Nelson (lisa50469)]

Afer installing the 4.14-rc2 kernel, it appears this is fixed. I was able to switch between the 3 wifi's here without issue.
Thanks!

[Lisa Nelson (lisa50469)]

I spoke too soon, this morning it failed the same way twice.
After the 3rd re-boot it worked.
Reading the logs I posted on this bug, I believe this issue is related to some race condition on startup. Not related to the kernel.

[Lisa Nelson (lisa50469)]

[1499961159.6654] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) access point 'LisaN' has security, but secrets are required.
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6654] device (wlp2s0): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none') [50 60 0]
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6728] device (wlp2s0): state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none') [60 40 0]
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info> [1499961159.6735] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none') [40 50 0]
Jul 13 09:52:39 lisa-Inspiron-7720 NetworkManager[1047]: <info>

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

Can you check if v4.13 has this issue or not? 17.10 will use v4.13 and we should make sure it doesn't have the issue.

[Lisa Nelson (lisa50469)]

It's done it on all the 17.04 kernels, so I don't think it's a kernel
issue.  It's got something to do with the wifi manager and making the
connection.  See the long log I posted of the attempts (failing) to
connect to wifi.  But I will try the 4.13 kernel, but can't for a few days.

On 09/26/2017 10:32 PM, Kai-Heng Feng wrote:
> Can you check if v4.13 has this issue or not? 17.10 will use v4.13 and
> we should make sure it doesn't have the issue.
>

[dino99 (9d9)]

That version is now dead
http://news.softpedia.com/news/ubuntu-17-04-zesty-zapus-has-reached-end-of-life-upgrade-to-ubuntu-17-10-now-519360.shtml