Not switching to stronger WiFi access point (AP)

[NoDecaf1]

Hi,

I got two WiFi access points at home, with the same SSID, password and authentication method, one on channel 1, and one on channel 6. I got Android 8.0 on my F5121, however, regardless what I've tried, I can't get this phone to automatically switch to the stronger signal. I can be sitting on top of the other AP and blocking the signal from the other AP, however, the phone refuses to swap. As my wife's iPhone does swap to the stronger singnal without any issues when we move between them, so I'm fairly confident they are working correctly. I've done a number of tests

1) Set static IP to avoid DHCP

2) Verified auth method on the AP's are the same

3) Done network reset on the phone and added the details again

4) Verified it can actually connect to both APs

5) Tried various WiFi switcher apps (non working), however, verified that it can see both APs (they show up in the app, but won't switch)

Any suggestions what to do? I have seen that some people are having issues with Oreo and AP switching, but it seems to me it should be a supported feature. I really don't want to go down the path and root it to start messing with the wpa_supplicant settings.

EDIT1: I also activated developer options and enabled the always scan option under network without any luck

EDIT2: I see there is another similar thread from last year: /t5/Xperia-X/Roaming-issue-between-2-ap/td-p/1312588#gref

Cheers,

NoDecaf

[Strampke]

You might try a reset of your router plus that you might consider giving both networks a different name.

[NoDecaf1]

Thanks,

but, what I've learned the last few days is that Android Oreo (in particular SM's implementaion) has a fixed cutoff at -75dbm, before it will start switching access points. In my house I seem to rarly drop below -70dbm, and thus even sitting on top of the next AP with -40dbm, it still will not switch. I have found if I cover the top left corner where the antenna is, I drops beneath the threshold and switches over. 

While some other manufacures allow customer access to tune this level, it appears to be a common complaint with Oreo devices. The only way around it is to root the device and tune it in the wpa file (or equivilent). At least my wife's iPhone is far more agressive switching between the APs and provides her with a better experience, and I don't have her complaints to deal with (lol)!

-NoDecaf

[Strampke]

Interesting explanation @NoDecaf 

The Xperia X I owned wasn't very good on WiFi reception compared to other devices.

But in general it was a perfect reliable workinghorse.

My daughter now uses it and she's very happy with it.