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.

[wherder]

Well, I know I won't be able to help anybody.  I'm running the newest firmware, have had my device swapped out, have tried every possible setting, and yet I have the classic issues.  Disconnects at random - not at 30 minutes, 30 hours, or whatever.  It could be right after power on.  Or an hour later, and then 2 minutes after that.  Happens in multiple locations, when stationary, with perfect signal strength, in full view of an LTE equipped tower.  Performance varies between very good and horribly slow.  Reliability is pathetic.  Unless set to "LTE only" it typically defaults to 3G connection.  It is without a doubt the least reliable, worst support communications device I've ever seen.  Every person I talk to at VZ says that "we don't manufacture the device, so don't blame us".  They all claim that nobody else has these issues.  When pointed to their own community, the play ignorant and try to change the subject.  I am actively trying to get VZ to take the device back as if it's only reliable at 3G, I simply don't need it.  I have far better and cheaper solutions for that.  I'm honestly just sick and tired of the hours and hours I've spent trying to debug this device.

[danesx2]

I hooked up my replacement modem around November 28th and to this date we are experiencing the same results as "Kent".  I've tried to find the firmware information but do not know how to get it.  I couldn't find it by logging into the console.  The speed we are getting goes from acceptable to slow, but I think that may be the signal from our nearest tower causing the unit to bounce between 3G and 4G.  If I had a longer cable for the exterior antenna, I think that might be helpful.

So, I too hope they have done something to fix the issue, but only time will tell.  If someone can guide me to the firmware information, I'd be glad to post it if it would be helpful to anyone.     ....Michael

[wherder]

Here are a few comments, Michael;

They have not fixed the problem.  Period.  I can't say with any degree of confidence whether they've "improved" the situation or not.  I can say that if there is improvement, it is FAR from adequate.  I can attest to replacement devices, and all firmware updates to current.  Here is what is clearly not fixed under any circumstances.

1)  Network/protocol selection is still totally broken.  I have factually demonstrated, backed up with data, that the device and associated software is still not even remotely capable of making correct selections of LTE vs 3G connections - even when within walking distance of a tower having clear line of sight, no electrical interference, relatively low utilization, LTE equipped, best signal strength possible, and device is stationary.  In multiple locations.  Consistently.  It simply does not work.  The device must be set to "LTE Only" in order to have any reasonable expectation of a 4G LTE connection.  Period.

2)  The "dormant"/"Disconnect" issue is in my experience, and by my data at least, not a single, solitary bit improved over what I experienced months ago.  Not a bit.  It is broken.  Period.

[danesx2]

I'm a believer.....  it wasn't long after making my last post the unit went into idle mode and even though our computers showed connected, our browsers wouldn't go anywhere, so once again we had to go and restart the unit.  There seems to be no consistency in regards to when the unit will crap out and have to be either restarted or turned back on.  I asked Verizon for a credit for lost time while we were waiting on a replacement MIFI and they allowed me $25.00 on next months bill.  Unfortunately we are on our third replacement unit and I'm wondering what they will do if we call them and complain again.

[m_a_schuster]

Yet another 4510L owners here with recent LTE problems. My primary use is in my office in NYC where, strangely, things were pretty good with the factory firmware. I was "forced" to update by the constant nag screen, and was rewarded with constant lockups where the device would simply freeze and not be acceessible by WiFi or show any signs of life externally. Signal indicator usually showing 2 bars. Finally last week, I started having LTE connection problems. Signal level would swing up and down wildly, and eventually the device would go catatonic again. Did the usual measures suggested here: paperclip reset, remove battery and SIM, configure WiFi B+G only, turn of WiFi multimedia, etc.

While connected in EDVO mode I read about a firmware V2.23 which, as far as I could tell, is not being "pushed" over the modem the way the first update was. So I downloaded it and installed it. Mistake. Now I can't get any useful LTE connection, period. This is on a barebones laptop with just Firefox running, and no other telecom software in the background. Connection will stall, and the status page shows constant disconnects. System log is filled with entries like:

• LTE Connection Failed
• [RUIAUTO] invalid packet state

What to do next? I have set the WWAN to EVDO in order to actually stay connected.

[John_Getzke]

m_a_,

I have seen those errors reported in a different thread:

http://community.vzw.com/t5/Broadband-Netbook-Devices/4G-LTE-4510L-hotspot-mifi-device-won-t-stay-co...

Unfortunetly that users issue was never completely resolved.  The user did share with us that they recieved a replacement when contacting Verizon about the problem.  Many users have noticed issues updating the firmware when using Mac's, VM's and Win7 so perhaps something went wrong with your firmware update as well.  If you could get your hands on a WinXp machine you could try to reflash the firmware on your own.  Otherwise ordering a replacement the device might be your best bet.

[m_a_schuster]

Both firmware flashes were done on the same XP machine, which proceeded without errors. I considered exchange, but the pessimist in me says that, in searching through all postings on this and other boards, that I have yet to see a single instance in which the poster concluded that such issues were permanently solved by getting replacement hardware. In May when I was choosing between the Novatel and Samsung hotspots, I went for the Novatel because of the proven performance of the earlier model, and reports on data flow "stalling" on the Sansung LTE device. Maybe it's time to look over the fence once again, to see if the Samsung still has these issues. Anyone know?

[flrver2]

I have been a 4g LTE user since day one with a UML290, USB551, Thunderbolt and now the 4510L. Some of the problems with being able to ping but not open web pages have been intermittent since day one but do seem better now.

I have stopped using my 4510L due to the lockup problem where the device goes dormant and locks, having to remove the battery, sim chip and pray and maybe you can get connected again. 
I wish that the 4510L would work since I do see a stronger signal on this device. I am the proud owner of a USB551l and a UML290 so I can swap the sim card back and forth to test with.

I trade stocks and have a trading platform that streams data all day. As long as I have the stock streaming program running the 4510L stays connected but within 15 minutes of closing the program it goes dormant and locks. I do see it come in and out of dormant and then it locks. I have tried some keep alive programs that seem to help but sooner or later it always seems to lock up unless I am streaming something. I even opened a voice only skype session and that seemed to keep it opened. It is a shame to have to eat up my data just to stay connected. 

Right now I have switched back to my UML290, a little less signal level but it will stay connected. I have updated the firmware on the 4510L but it did not seem to help. I hope that someone at Verizon is hearing this and maybe the next firmware update will resolve the problem. Hay we can always dream.

[m_a_schuster]

Unfortunately my needs require a standalone hotspot, so the USB modems are not a useful option. Just for fun I checked for recent comments on the Samsung hotspot as listed on Amazon, and the complaints are even louder and more vicious. So my wondering about whether it is worth it to switch hardware are now answered.

I still cannot get a useful LTE connection; i.e. one that actually passes data for more than a few seconds. After that the modem goes dormant and the system log shows "LTE CONNECTION FAILED". Parenthetically, I seem to notice that the external sign of this happening is that the status LED on the modem goes dark for about 1/2 second, and then re-illuminates green but is useless from that point onward. If I set WWAN to "LTE ONLY" the LED just alternately flashes between green/violet forever and never connects at all.

So I am now working just fine, thak you, using CDMA/EVDO. Despite Verizon pronouncements over the last few days that the so-called LTE outage is fixed, I see a flury of LTE connectivity complaints in several threads here, even today. Could some of the LTE issues I'm experiencing right now be due to the continuing issues, rather than the 4501L.

Another aside question: have there been different HARDWARE revs of the 4510L since it was released earlier this year? Knowledge about a board revision that addresses the lockups etc. might persuade me to go through the time and frustration expenditure to try a hardware swapout.

[deloswilbur]

I type this with very apprehensive hands lest I jinx myself, but my 4510L set to LTE only has been working correctly for over 4 days with no "data hangups" or locks...  I have not updated firmware but did have two days a few weeks ago where it was fluxuating like mad in latency and dropping connection.  I have a feeling they may have updated/fixed/changed something on some towers around me as the signal also seems to be stronger.

There was someone else from the Wildwood MO area on here, not sure if they are seeing the same thing if they are lurking?

[John_Getzke]

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m_a_schuster wrote:

Another aside question: have there been different HARDWARE revs of the 4510L since it was released earlier this year?  

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None that I have been aware of.  Only 2 firmware updates have been released since this device went live.

[whitedog82]

I think my device has the 1st firmware update but not the second.  What do I do to get the second?

[whitedog82]

My device has been updated 1 time.  What steps do I take to get the second firmware update?

[John_Getzke]

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whitedog82 wrote:

My device has been updated 1 time.  What steps do I take to get the second firmware update?

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The firmware update steps can be summarized on this thread:

http://community.vzw.com/t5/Broadband-Netbook-Devices/MiFi-4510L-Firmware-Update-2-23/td-p/714057

If you decide to update then please avoid performing the steps on a MAC.  There are known limitations to the firmware update software when using this OS.  The most stable OS to perform the update appears to be WinXP.

[AnthonyTa_VZW]

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jaguarjml wrote:

Furthermore, I have tried every single solution possible found on Google and other forums to help alleviate some of the problems the 4510L has....none of them work.

The device is junk.  Very unhappy verizon customer right now.

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jaguarjml,

I do understand your frustrations with the issues on the MiFi 4510L!  I am here to assist you.

I know you mentioned you have tried multiple troubleshooting steps, I would like to know if you have tried Hard Resetting your MiFi device?  If not, I am including a link below with instructions and screen shots for the reset:

Hard Reset - Verizon Wireless MiFi 4510L

Please let me know how this works out for you!

[michjarv]

ok......I have been experiencing most of the issues that most are explaning in this thread.....so being the tech geek that I am, I started to wonder, what would happen if I use the old VZ Access Manager that my old 3Gs Mifi device used. (and before anyone says anything, yes I know that the usb port on the Mifi4510L does not work as a modem)

Now, if any of you had the previous 3G Mifi, you will notice that when you start the VZ Access Manager program it will pick up the nearest wifi connections that are in your area(granted that the wifi connection on your laptop is on).  I thought what would happened if I connected through the manager with the 4G device. So I connected it, and wouldn't you know it, the **bleep** think worked, got connected to the net.

so my next test was, to see how long it kept a connection. on my inital test, the connection lasted about an hour and 15 minutes before the 4510L disconnected.  That is way longer that what I was experiencing with connecting through the Access Manager.  after it dropped I reconnected again and since I was in DC area I had to disconnect yesterday because of the earthquake and my bldg. was being evacuated.  After I came back in my bldg I connected back on through the manager and I do not recall it disconnecting again for rest of day.  

Now I'm still during further testing, this morning I connected, and it disconnected within 10 minutes, not sure what that was about but I reconnected and so far it is up to 22 minutes.  I'm not sure if this will work for everyone who is having issues with their device, but hey it is worth a shot to just try and monitor it it last longer than the 30 or so minutes of disconnecting.  The other cool thing I like about the manager is that you can set it so it will auto connect if the wireless connections drop, so if the Mifi doe not shut off and the device is still on but the wireless connection drops the manager will re-connect it self. 

I wll continue doing test and monitor how many drop connections and all that with using the Access Manager and be sure to check back with more updates.

Hope this helps some folks......

[JFennacy]

I have had a MiFi 4510L since Feb 2011.  I too live in the country with no options besides satellite.  I have experienced every issue reported in this thread.  I've called Verizon customer support and tech support.  I have a trouble ticket open for field service reps to look at the tower.  They say something is amiss but cannot/will not give me a timeframe in which it can be fixed. 

But the problem is not just the signal.  There are times when the unit is hung - have to pull the battery to restart; there are times when everything seems ok but I cannot connect - my best solution to that is a hard-reset; last night the admin screen said Dormant, so I disconnect and reconnected only to have it say Dormant or Disconnecting. 

Last night it had 0 to 1 bar with a 1xRTT connection.  Today it has 3 bars with a 3G EVDO connection.  It varies so much I have no idea what to expect day to day, even hour-to-hour. 

Fundamentally it does not work consistently or reliably.  I am looking forward to 4G rolling out in this area and am secretly hoping that technology will alter the way the unit works. 

[wazuri77]

I am having the same issues.  I thought I had a defected device and for last few days I have tried to request a replacement (I am still within my 14 days) but every time I contact tech support I am transferred to multiple depts.  I finally disconnect (after 45 minutes on hold).  I actually filed a BBB complaint.  I noticed that if you change the settings to shut the down when idle  after a specified time, the device "locks up".  I am now testing the   "never" option to to see if that makes a difference.

TEchnical support is definitely USELESS!

[wazuri77]

After several "tests", I discovered that my device is locking up if the power shutdown option is set for 20 minutes or more of idle time.  At 10 minutes, the device will eventually power off; at 20 or more minutes, it locks up and I am forced to remove the battery and reinsert it.

[wazuri77]

I am having the same issues.  I thought I had a defected device and for last few days I have tried to request a replacement (I am still within my 14 days) but every time I contact tech support I am transferred to multiple depts.  I finally disconnect (after 45 minutes on hold).  I actually filed a BBB complaint.  I noticed that if you change the settings to shut the down when idle  after a specified time, the device "locks up".  I am now testing the   "never" option to to see if that makes a difference.

TEchnical support is definitely USELESS!

[whitedog82]

My situation is the same as most everyone else here.  Overall it seems to me the 4510L has promise but at this time is not a device that actually works.  It is more of a complex toy.  Connects...disconnects...connects... more or less at random, here in central NC (RDU area).  The first day, trying it just outside the local Verizon store,  it was super fast.  Since then, and even though the green light blinks a lot, it is about the same as my old MiFi 3g except the connection is likely to be dropped at any moment.  I guess we can only hope that revised and improved software will be available "real soon now."  In the interim, I basically have put the device away and use it if, but only if, I have absolutely no connectivity any other way.  So far this 4g device is in no respect an improvement over the older 3g one, and a most frustrating experience.