If you run a unifi access point and your ESP32s keep going offline

Setting the minimum data rate to 12 in my ioT WLAN solved the problem for me.

I have a Somfy Thahoma Connectivity Kit and it was dropping off the WLAN frequently. Sometimes it stayed a couple of hours, sometimes it dropped off just a few minutes after restart.

I am running a full unifi powered network with WLAN via several unifi AP 6 lite’s
In the Unifi management console I see the information for the connectivity kit, that the chip manufacturer is “Espressig Inc.”, so it has likely an ESP32 in it.

What I did…

In the unify network settings under:
Settings > WLAN > “the WLAN your ESP should connect” > Minimum Data Rate.
Set it from automatic to manuell and set 2.4GHz to 12

I cannot 100% surely say if other settings causing/favor the issue, as it is my exclusive WLAN for ioT devices - and therefore the most other settings are off as well.
But when turning off the automatic minimum data rate and setting it to 12 the dropping off stopped.

As 802.11 DTIM Period i am using 1 for 2.4Ghz and 3 for 5 GHz (but its an 2.4 GHz restricted WLAN anyways).

So, thank you for that hint.

I was getting some random disconnects of some, but not all, ESPHome devices but it didn’t really seem to affect operation. However, since implementing, fixing Minimum Data Rate Control to 12 Mbps this I’ve not had a single drop off in over a week.

Excellent find! Thank you for the effort and for sharing!

Chris