MiFi 4510L Shortcomings

[cobmsdn]

We're a City IT department, testing the new 4510L MiFi unit for use in our Fire Department.  We've been using the 2200 MiFi units for some time with great success.  As you can imagine, when the LTE/4G MiFi was released, we were very excited.  However, now that we've had time to actually test one of the new MiFi's, we're anything but excited about the quality of the new device.

Here are the three show-stopper issues that we've uncovered.  Without resolution, we cannot recommend that our Fire Department upgrade their 2200 MiFi units:

1. The MiFi unit will intermittently drop its WiFi connection. Another post recommends switching to 802.11g, but this has had no effect.
2. The E-Ink display is confusing for our users when the unit is powered off.  When power is off, the display shows the last status of the device.  When the device is powered down, the display should be clear of all information.
3. Holding down the power button for 5 or more seconds should power the unit off.  This doesn't seem to be the case.  Only removing the battery can one power the unit off.

Please provide an update as to the availability or timeline for a firmware upgrade for the 4510L MiFi unit.

Thank you.

[rherman]

Verizon is now showing a firmware upgrade "Coming Soon" to address these issues.  The PDFs are posted and the firmware should be 2.16.07.  Check it out:

http://support.vzw.com/system_update/mifi4510l.html

[rherman]

Verizon is now showing a firmware upgrade "Coming Soon" to address these issues.  The PDFs are posted and the firmware should be 2.16.07.  Check it out:

http://support.vzw.com/system_update/mifi4510l.html

[rjplatt]

Updates are available now.  Here are some direct links.  Had some trouble getting these through the device as the option was greyed out. Switched IE to compatibility mode and the Update Firmware button worked however their link to the windows version was incorrectly named as .exe.  Fixed below:

Windows

http://d23fu4p2g5yz6c.cloudfront.net/Windows/MiFi4510LWin.zip

 Mac

http://d23fu4p2g5yz6c.cloudfront.net/Mac/MiFi4510LMac.zip

[TechyHead]

I've installed this firmware update and am sad to report that this Mifi still: Locks up, won't power off, devices can't connect, and is no different from before.

Here's a 'usefull' workaround for those that aren't mobile:  Remove the battery, Plug in the a/c cable, install battery, power on.  Now you have a Mif that works perfectly, can be powered on and off, devices can connect, but you can't take it with you.

Edit:  I forgot to add that this is my 2nd unit after Verizon quickly sent a replacement.  Both units function the exact same way.

[anuran]

Just as TechyHead, I was also hoping that the firmware update will eliminate the issue I've having with my 4510L. Today it has thrown me off the network at least 4 times in 3 hours. I have to press the button on the unit to get it back up. One of the disconnects was when I was using our administrative messaging system and was getting instruction from my senior officer. He would have seen me abruptly go offline. Of course Verizon is not going to apoligize to him.

One thing I have not seen after the update is complete automatic self-power down of the unit. I had a Samsung 4g hotspot for about a week, it was also dropping connection. I have even tested the unit outdoors to see if it did that. Plus the Samsug will disconnect when connected to power which 4510L does not do. 

What baffles me is that I have had my 2200 and before that a USB 727 and have never had any issues with them for over 2 years. Well I have hard reset a couple of times both via web interface as well by 'poking in its hole'. I have fully recharged over night, pulled out the battery and sim card and reinstalled them back... nothing is made it better. I am not willing to go stand in the store againg or pay another restocking fee.

[ChristinaB_VZW]

Hi Anuran,

For the intermittent disconnect issue, we would suggest changing the WiFi mode to 802.11 B/G, instead of 802.11 B/G/N, using the MiFi WebUI. This would help work around a intermittent loss of connectivity issue caused to packet buffering in 802.11 N mode.

For limited connectivity issue, the root cause could be that the WiFi network adapter drivers on the computer are not up to date. User will need to update the drivers using the Device Manager.

Please try these steps and post back with your results. 

Thank you!

[cobmsdn]

We can confirm that the intermittent connectivity loss is not due to either 802.11n usage or WiFi drivers on the client side.  We've seen this behavior on separate 4510L units in combination with various different laptop models and OSes.

[TechyHead]

ChristinaB,

Has a root cause been determined as to why this unit locks up and requires frequent battery pulls + Reset's?  We were about to purchase 7 more 4150L's but are now trying to get a different model in for testing.

Thanks for your time.

[cobmsdn]

There is no solution, nor do I expect one in the near future.  I've been working with both Verizon and Novatel's support (even got escalated to their tier-2 support) for some time now.

My feeling is that they're aware of the problem, but will not publicly admit to it.  It's my belief that Verizon doesn't want to do anything to derail their rollout of their 4G service along with the 4510L MiFi.

At this point, we've decided to return to the use of the 2200 model in our rigs and return our existing 4510L units.

So very frustrated with Verizon at this point.  It would be best for them to come clean and let us know what is being done to address these issues.

[wicamper]

I have switched the 802.11 mode to just the G and B option and have checked to make sure I have the latest WiFi drivers for my Windows 7 PC and I do.  I continue to have frequent internet stoppage (every 20-30 min) where I have to disconnect and reconnect to reestablish the Internet connection.  I have also upgraded to the latest firmware release for the MiFi 4510L.

What other options do I have?

Thanks

[boxerx2]

I just wanted to chime in that I too am having all the frustrations and problems that have been discussed.  I hope that Verizon is monitoring these comments and will soon rectify these problems.  I recently purchased my MIFF device hoping to achieve better speed and reliability than what I have with Hughes.net.  When the device is working properly, the performance is much better than satellite.  My issue may be that the MIFF is toggling between 3G and 4G, however there are many times the unit will either shut itself down or go dormant to where it has to be powered off and then on for it to broadcast its existence.  We use both a Mac and a PC (Windows XP) and when it works I'm ready to do away with my satellite.  But because of the undependable nature of the Verizon MIFF, I'm afraid to give up my other ISP.  Come on Verizon, tell us the truth, is there a real fix on the horizon?

[deloswilbur]

Regarding Verizon admitting or "coming clean" on the problem, I have had 2 different people in technical support tell me now that their sole focus and emphasis is on getting 4G rolled out to all markets as soon as possible.  Fixing the existing network problem (where communication drops) is low priority as that doesn't affect getting new subscribers.  As stated other places the only way someone would know that problem existed would be to specifcally search for the problem.  If you just look up Verizon 4G LTE reviews you will see how fast it is becuase the reviewers are only using it for a few days to test.  Therefore this problem is not directly affecting their bottom line and doens't have their full attention.  Also it's been pointed out to me that the contract you sign specifically dissallows class action suits against them.  Evidently they learned their lesson there the last time (unfortunately they learned the wrong lesson).

Sorry for bad news and I know I sound bitter, but I have had every device they have and have had 4G since December when it rolled out.  The problem has existed since then, it's obvious they aren't listening and aren't fixing it anytime soon.

[carousel]

the mifi 4510L shuts itself down periodically.  one must press the power button to turn it back on.  this makes it completely useless for unattended operation.  i use it in a fixed location - the device never moves more than a foot or two.  there is no 4g service (despite what the verizon propaganda indicates).  there is 3g service.  the device is plugged in to ac power supply.

the setting for automatically powering down is set to never power down.

i have tried every combination of wireless settings (global, evdo-only, 1x, cdma-auto).  i have tried every combination of wifi settings.

setting it to evdo-only results in shutdowns every few hours.  setting it to cdma-auto results in shutdowns every few hours or days.

the device shuts itself off whether or not there are connections open.  i often establish ssh tunnels that i keep open for weeks at a time using an at&t/t-mobile gsm 3g mifi device.  with the verizon 4510L i cannot keep a connection open for more than a couple of hours.

these are signal strengths for 3g and 2g at my location:

evdo: -45 dBm
1x: -52 dBm
lte: not available

the 2.16.7 firmware update did not help.

i have been trying to get this to work for 4 months now.

do not purchase this device!

[kentiler]

It's definitely a 4G device.  I've had one since May and constant connections - like Outlook to Exchange - keep working, but new connection, like opening a web browser, after roughly 30 minutes stop working until I disconnect and reconnect. 

The device doens't power off for me, and I've gone through 3 Novatel and 1 Samsung trying to resolve the issue of the new connections not working after 30 minutes. 

I'm getting between 20-30MB/S download and around 7MB/S upload, so that is way faster than 3G.

I finally got a Verizon tech to come on-site, and we worked for 2 1/2 hours on the issue.  I was able to reproduce the issue with my Novatel device, so then he gave me a 4G UML290 device to use, and he used my device.  He stayed connected for over 1 hour and was still able to open new connections after an hour!  I was floored by that because I've tried it with an iPad, Apple Macbook Pro running Windows 7, and a Dell Latitude all concurrently.

The main difference I saw was that he was running WIndows XP on his laptop and I was running Windows 7.

Is anyone else having these issues with Windows 7?  What hardware are you running, too?

Thanks!

--Kent

[boxerx2]

I am running Windows XP on my Dell Laptop and my wife is using a Mac and we both experience the same issues everyone talks about here.  The unit doesn't stay connected, and/or, the unit will go idle or just stop sending out advertisement to where we have to power the unit off and then on so our computers will see the device network.  Luckily for us I have not canceled our hughes internet we receive via satelite.  I keep hoping Verizon will come up with a solution because when the Mifi works, works well for us as far as speed, but it is so **bleep** unreliable for constant connections.

[kentiler]

Yesterday I was able to stay connected for 7 1/2 hours without having to reset the connection.  This is a first.  I'll be back in 4G area tomorrow and will run my test again all day. 

I know on 11/16/2011 I was still having to disconnect and reconnection roughly every 30 minutes in order for new connections to work, but Outlook stayed connected to Exchange since that is a constant connection.

Will update tomorrow on the status as well.

--Kent

[cobmsdn]

We've identified some issues that can contribute to unreliable MiFi operation:

Any form or "dirty" power such as under-voltage/over-voltage can cause the MiFi to unexpectedly reset.  We've found that either directly charging the MiFi from a USB port (using a custom USB cable with the data leads shorted) or by using the included AC adapter via an automotive inverter can help with reliability.  Using any of the "cigarette lighter" type power adapters seems to leave the units susceptible to surges or brownouts when in a vehicle.

We still haven't been able to identify a way to prevent the unexpected disconnects (separate issue from 4G->3G transitions).

Hope this helps.

[TechyHead]

I agree that it's power related.  I've been tested while using the supplied A/C adaptor and it's very stable.  Running on battery it's very problematic. 

[kentiler]

I disagree.  I'm having trouble with this device (I'm on my 3rd one since Verizon keeps insisting it's the device and not their problem).  All of them have behaved the same way.  No matter if I'm plugged into AC or running on battery - I can't open up new connections after 30 minutes in my current 4G area.  3G seems to work better, but the 4G continually has to be disconnected and reconnected every 30 minutes.

Existing connections, such as Outlook to Exchange, remain connected after the 30 minutes. 

Verizon sent me the Samsung model, too, and the exact same behavior occurs there, too.

--Kent

[statdetective]

I have also locked my MiFi 4510 into EVDO mode. The speeds are better with 3G than with 4G here in Utah (North Utah County). My device stayed connected and running for more than 7 days (180 hours) when using EVDO. It won't even give me 15 minutes under LTE. And, when it does the speeds are slower than with 3G. Is there a way to just pay for 3G service? The 4G service might be claimed to be here, but it isn't.

[Irishtiger]

OK, everyone.  This is a long and nightmarish journey I've been on.  I've read all the posts in this thread.  I was experiencing all of the issues mentioned in the thread.  Until I came across one here that someone very smart posted.  I used it and it worked perfectly. 

Basically, I found an old Netgear router sitting in my junk box.  I flashed it with DD-WRT, made it a Repeater for my Mifi 4510L, turned off broadcasting on the 4510l and now can do the following:

1.  Be free of all "issues of connectivity" stated in this forum.

2.  Have as many computers/users as I wish (up to 250 in the Netgear).

3.  Have a GREATLY extended range for my signal (10x what the 4510l affords)

4.  Continue to travel in my RV all over the country and do my job over the internet at blazing speeds.

I realize most of you are married to the insanely horrible internal router on the Mifi.  It's time to get a divorce.  I tried every solution here except a repeater and nothing worked.  I've been going solid for two weeks now using this scheme.  I'm not sure if I ever want to return to using a broadcaster that can only go 50 feet. 

So either dust off your old router and check the dd-wrt router list to see if you can flash it or spend 5 minutes and 5 bux on craigslist to find one that does and go to this site: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Repeater.  Then stop whining.

[Irishtiger]

Oh and I forgot:  I also get 802.11 N.  Sweet!