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Social WiFi Academy

Ubiquiti UniFi known issues

Authentication delay

Symptom: When guests connect to a WiFi network managed by Social WiFi, they often experience a significant delay after clicking “Connect”. In some cases, the authorization process never completes.

Solution: Our internal testing indicates that this issue typically occurs when the UniFi controller is hosted outside the local network - such as on a VPS or in the cloud. We recommend using a local controller.

Local controller behavior

When the controller is deployed within the local network, UniFi Access Points (APs) communicate with it almost instantly, allowing for a smooth and immediate guest authorization process.

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  1. Phone sends a request to the controller that goes through the Access Point
  2. User gets authorized on the controller
  3. Controller instantly sends the response back that the phone is authorized
  4. User gets authorized and can browse the internet

Externally hosted controller behavior

With externally hosted controllers, UniFi APs send an “inform” packet approximately every 30 seconds. As a result, the controller may take up to 30 seconds to notify the AP that a guest has been authorized. This delay negatively impacts the user experience, making the login process feel slow and frustrating for guests.

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  1. Phone sends a request to the controller that goes through the Access Point
  2. The information is routed to the controller outside of the local network
  3. User gets authorized but the information can’t be sent back to the Access Point instantly
  4. Access Point checks for configuration update with the controller every 30 seconds
  5. When the Access Point checks in, only then the information goes back
  6. User gets authorized and can browse the internet

Internet access is not granted after login

Symptom: after connecting to the WiFi network, on the last step which is clicking the “Connect to the internet button” you’re not getting connected to the internet.

Solution: UniFi Access Points function as a DNS Proxy. Ensure that the domains are resolving correctly and that the Access Points have an active internet connection.