WiFi range question

earthshaker

Senior Member
I bought my D7200 in September of 2017, so it is relatively new, I have used the builtin WiFi a few times but I was curious about the typical range, other people were getting, Nikon claims 30m/98 feet, depending on presence of absence of obstructions, and interference. Well the best I can get is about 5 feet on a good day, my guess is there is something wrong. This will become an issue later on in the summer, as I do more remote control stuff. I sent an email to Nikon, and no reply as yet. Is this a typical situation or is my WiFi just a dud?
 

spb_stan

Senior Member
There are two parts to this problem, the camera WiFi signal is weak as needed to conserve battery life so what is it trying to communicate with? If it is a phone, it also has a low power output. If it is trying to connect to a router or access point that has an external antenna, There probably is a problem. If to a phone, likely that is closer to normal for two devices that have no effective antenna and with low power output.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
I bought one of Nikon's Wifi dongles to add it to my D600. Between the crappy software, and the weak signal, I gave the dongle away for free... I wouldn't expect their builtin versions to be any better.

There are just some things that Nikon is NOT up to speed on... Connectivity is one of them...
 

earthshaker

Senior Member
I have the WU1A for my D5200, I might try that on the D7200, and see what happens, I am not using Nikon's software, so maybe there is hope
 

Mark F

Senior Member
I had to try this to find out. I used WMU app on iPhone. Set the wifi to see the camera and opened it up.
I was able to focus and activate the shutter from one room to another... about 20 feet with obstacles in the way. I didn't have enough room to go further. Camera battery was probably at 80% and the iPhone was at 52%.
I'll try this outside once the weather gets better. I've never had problems with using WMU... but that new SnapBridge thats on the newer bodies with wifi and bluetooth *suck*
 
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earthshaker

Senior Member
So after a week I get a reply from Nikon support, well it did not help the situation, they told me to uninstall the WMU app, and reinstall it. In my reply I asked how that would help the situation, and how that would make the WiFi better on my camera? I asked if she could do some research to find out and get back to me, so I could share what I learned with the 1000s of Nikon shooters that have the same problem. Of course I know I will never find out. Maybe the next step should be contacting the Better Business Bureau, of the FTC about Nikon's false claims, and maybe then find out how Nikon came up with this specification.
The worst part is I have shot Nikon since the D80 was new, that is what about 10 years? Maybe it is time to jump ship, but I would guess none of the other companies are any better, in the customer service department.
 

Mark F

Senior Member
So after a week I get a reply from Nikon support, well it did not help the situation, they told me to uninstall the WMU app, and reinstall it. In my reply I asked how that would help the situation, and how that would make the WiFi better on my camera? I asked if she could do some research to find out and get back to me, so I could share what I learned with the 1000s of Nikon shooters that have the same problem. Of course I know I will never find out. Maybe the next step should be contacting the Better Business Bureau, of the FTC about Nikon's false claims, and maybe then find out how Nikon came up with this specification.
The worst part is I have shot Nikon since the D80 was new, that is what about 10 years? Maybe it is time to jump ship, but I would guess none of the other companies are any better, in the customer service department.

Have you tried using another phone? Could be problems on your phone side with WiFi. Mine seems to have plenty of range using WMU on my iPhone 7 plus
I don't think its Nikon making false claims. Sometimes reinstalling apps do fix problems.. just like a program needing to be reinstalled on a computer.
 

earthshaker

Senior Member
I did try the Wu1a on my D5200m and after it finally connected and stayed connected, which was a chore in itself, I managed to get about 20 feet away, before it lost connection. But then I couldn't get it to connect again. So I gave up.
 
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