S4 won't connect to Netgear Powerline Adapter

[DLCPhoto]

I have had a Netgear Powerline Adapter system set up in my Bedroom (XAVNB2001) for the past year and a half, because the signal from my Cisco E4200 doesn't effectively reach up there. It has its own SSID, on the 2.4GHz band. It has been completely solid and reliable, and I use it all the time with my Verizon Samasung Galaxy Nexus (stock ROM 4.2.2), and Asus Infinity Tablet (stock ROM 4.2.1). My wife also used it without problem with her prior Motorola Droid 3.

But for reasons I can't identify, my wife's new Galaxy S4 won't connect to it. Also Stock ROM 4.2.2. Her phone sees the Adapter/SSID, and shows a strong signal when we're up there. I enter the passcode with the same encryption (WPA/WPA2 PSK) as I have on the other working devices, and it quickly goes to "Acquiring IP" but this never completes. It tries a couple of times, and usually ends up saying: "Network Disabled Because Internet Connection Is Slow." But it is not slow - works as fast with the other devices as when I'm connected to the Cisco downstairs near the Router. I have carefully entered the passcode (checking the box to show the characters to make sure I'm not putting in a typo) a dozen times.

There is no problem connecting her S4 to any other WiFi network we've encountered (to the Cisco downstairs directly, at my kids' houses, hotels, etc.).

I have tried setting up a Static IP for this phone, but this did not work either.

I can't see any trouble-shooting steps to even identify the problem. Usually this is a no-brainer: you see the SSID, enter the passcode, and you're in. What could possibly be the problem here??  As I said, every other device I have used with this adapter encountered no difficulty - there's something odd about the S4 that is creating the problem.

[DLCPhoto]

No replies?  Anybody from Verizon that monitors this forum?

I have been in touch with both Samsung and Netgear, but still no answers.  Additional trouble-shooting shows that when I turn off Encryption completely on the Netgear XAVN2001, the SG4 is able to acquire an IP Address and connect.  But when I turn on *any* encryption options (and I obviously don't want to leave this connection open), then it is unable to acquire an IP, and won't connect.

Again, I have multiple other devices that have no problems connecting:

Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Verizon Motorola Razr HD

Verizon Motorola Droid 3

Asus Infinity Tablet TF700T

There is obviously some kind of bug or glitch in the S4, presumably involving the encryption algorithms (as suggested by the evidence above).  It would be easy enough for someone at Verizon to simply test this out using the Netgear XAVN2001, and then be in a position to identify and fix the problem.

Thank you.

[Ann154]

If a VZW rep replies to any discussion, they usually reply to ones marked as unanswered questions. Your post however is only marked as a discussion so the chances of them replying are unlikely.

This is a peer to peer customer forum and not everyone has the same knowledge nor do they reply to all the posts. Maybe no one from the 34 views has a suggestion.

I don't have any ideas for your wifi connection problems.

[Jax_Omen]

If you go into wifi and hit menu, there are some advanced options. I was having intermittent issues with my wifi claiming

"Network Disabled Because Internet Connection Is Slow." as well, usually when I was streaming raids in WoW on my PC (and tying up the whole connection).

I turned off the setting for "check for internet service" the other day and haven't seen that message since.

[DLCPhoto]

Thanks for the reply and suggestion.

This setting was already unchecked.  I checked it, just out of curiosity, but it made no difference.

The same thing occurred: "Acquiring IP Address" for along time, then the network disabled message, then it gives up.

I am in touch with both Netgear and Samsung about this, but no joy so far.  There just seems to be something flaky about the S4's WiFi in this context.

[DLCPhoto]

I couldn't find any way to mark this as a question, rather than a discussion.  Can this be changed after the fact??

[Ann154]

The original poster had 15 minutes after posting the message to mark it as a question. I think only a mod or admin can change it now.

[BakerGeckos]

I heard a rumor that Mutlicasting Can either cause Battery Drain or Not able to connect just thought I'd share...

[DLCPhoto]

If you're talking about "WMM Support" being enabled on the Router, then I have tried disabling that, and unfortunately it didn't fix the problem.  Someone at XDA had suggested that as well.

If you're referring to something different, please specify.

Thanks for the reply.

[DLCPhoto]

As many are probably now aware, Verizon has been pushing a system update to the S4, first by PC connection only, and now going OTA.

I just successfully completed the update on my wife's S4, and am now able to connect properly to the Netgear XAVN2001 wireless access point.

So there was apparently something funky going in with the S4's WiFi connectivity, and this fixed it.  I am not aware of any listing of changes included with the update, and have mainly seen reference to adding the ability to move apps to an external SD card (and re-locking the bootloader, for those who prefer to root), but apparently they fixed something relating to WiFi connectivity.