New Libra 2, Horrible networking

InnovationHack · 05-08-2023, 12:36 PM

I spent a frustrating weekend getting my Libra 2 setup. Contrasting with setting up a Kindle, it was way more work than it should be. Why? It can't stay connected to my network.

I have setup a separate 2.4 network JUST FOR IT and it still drops it constantly while synching giving me error dialog after error dialog. I finally got it to work by using my phone as a hot spot. Ridiculous.

So, has anyone figured out if there is some magic I need to do in my wifi setup in order to get a kobo product to remain connected? If this is the normal experience, I will just return it and stick to kindle. Even my Boox handled the network without issues.

Quoth · 05-08-2023, 01:38 PM

Never had any problem with any Kobo, inc Kobo Libra 2. Didn't do anything special.
Openwrt, Thomson Cable Modem, Fritz-box! and others over the years.

Syncing is a separate issue and pointless if you only have one Kobo or only sideloaded (USB transferred) ebooks.

InnovationHack · 05-08-2023, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

Never had any problem with any Kobo, inc Kobo Libra 2. Didn't do anything special.
Openwrt, Thomson Cable Modem, Fritz-box! and others over the years.

Syncing is a separate issue and pointless if you only have one Kobo or only sideloaded (USB transferred) ebooks.

updates and pocket/overdrive needs to sync.

Skydog · 05-08-2023, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InnovationHack

I spent a frustrating weekend getting my Libra 2 setup. Contrasting with setting up a Kindle, it was way more work than it should be. Why? It can't stay connected to my network.

I have setup a separate 2.4 network JUST FOR IT and it still drops it constantly while synching giving me error dialog after error dialog. I finally got it to work by using my phone as a hot spot. Ridiculous.

So, has anyone figured out if there is some magic I need to do in my wifi setup in order to get a kobo product to remain connected? If this is the normal experience, I will just return it and stick to kindle. Even my Boox handled the network without issues.

I've set up and used multiple models of Kobos over the years and have never had one problem, at all, with wifi connection on my network. That includes use of Pocket and Overdrive.

InnovationHack · 05-08-2023, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydog

I've set up and used multiple models of Kobos over the years and have never had one problem, at all, with wifi connection on my network. That includes use of Pocket and Overdrive.

Then maybe it is either (a) some quirk of my router + kobo or (b) this particular kobo has a bad wifi chip.

I will setup a return and try a new one as that seems to be the only way I'm going to pull off a real test of what it could be.

Dsharma · 05-08-2023, 04:50 PM

You can try to update your Libra 2's firmware. Sometimes, updating the firmware can fix Wi-Fi connectivity issues. Go to the settings menu on your Libra 2, find the software update option, and follow the prompts.

305869 · 05-08-2023, 05:11 PM

I didn't have this problem with my Libra 2 but I did notice it doesn't detect 5GHz wifi.

DNSB · 05-08-2023, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 305869

I didn't have this problem with my Libra 2 but I did notice it doesn't detect 5GHz wifi.

The Libra 2 does not use a dual band chip. AFAIK, the Sage, Elipsa, Elipsa 2E and Clara HD 2E have dual band chips. Oddly Kobo's tech specs do not say dual band for the original Elipsa but does show 802.11ac as supported which uses the 5GHz band.

Quoth · 05-08-2023, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InnovationHack

updates and pocket/overdrive needs to sync.

Updates is a different sort of sync and are here for USB (except Updates for Writing/Notebooks)
https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

Pocket is a 3rd party service that is poor compared to downloading web page or copy-paste and making an epub. Not touched it for years.

DNSB · 05-08-2023, 05:36 PM

You could try a manual firmware update to see if that helps. I have seen several issues with various odd wireless routers/APs over the years. Do you have a smartphone that you can set up as a wifi hotspot and then try connecting through it?

ghira · 05-10-2023, 01:47 PM

One reason I got a Sage was that it also did 5 GHz wifi. OK I also wanted the extra space.

05-08-2023, 12:36 PM	#1
InnovationHack Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2020 Device: Onyx Poke3	New Libra 2, Horrible networking I spent a frustrating weekend getting my Libra 2 setup. Contrasting with setting up a Kindle, it was way more work than it should be. Why? It can't stay connected to my network. I have setup a separate 2.4 network JUST FOR IT and it still drops it constantly while synching giving me error dialog after error dialog. I finally got it to work by using my phone as a hot spot. Ridiculous. So, has anyone figured out if there is some magic I need to do in my wifi setup in order to get a kobo product to remain connected? If this is the normal experience, I will just return it and stick to kindle. Even my Boox handled the network without issues.

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05-08-2023, 01:38 PM	#2
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,659 Karma: 103503445 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Never had any problem with any Kobo, inc Kobo Libra 2. Didn't do anything special. Openwrt, Thomson Cable Modem, Fritz-box! and others over the years. Syncing is a separate issue and pointless if you only have one Kobo or only sideloaded (USB transferred) ebooks.

05-08-2023, 04:50 PM	#6
Dsharma Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 3254262 Join Date: Apr 2023 Device: Kindle	You can try to update your Libra 2's firmware. Sometimes, updating the firmware can fix Wi-Fi connectivity issues. Go to the settings menu on your Libra 2, find the software update option, and follow the prompts.

05-08-2023, 05:11 PM	#7
305869 Connoisseur Posts: 95 Karma: 92818 Join Date: Mar 2023 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Boox Leaf 7"	I didn't have this problem with my Libra 2 but I did notice it doesn't detect 5GHz wifi.

05-08-2023, 05:36 PM	#10
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 44,636 Karma: 168431739 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	You could try a manual firmware update to see if that helps. I have seen several issues with various odd wireless routers/APs over the years. Do you have a smartphone that you can set up as a wifi hotspot and then try connecting through it?

05-10-2023, 01:47 PM	#11
ghira Zealot Posts: 147 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2016 Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Aura One, Nook Simple Touch, Nook Glowlight,	One reason I got a Sage was that it also did 5 GHz wifi. OK I also wanted the extra space.

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