topic Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

H0wl — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 09:05:53 GMT

I can't ping my Android Nexus 4 using Windows 7. This is causing a number of problems with apps that require communication with my phone, but I'm fairly certain this inability to ping is a symptom of the problem.
I'm wondering if it's a problem with my Thomson TG585v8 router.
I've tried disabiing router and WIndows 7 firewalls.
I've tried adding port forwarding for the ports the particular apps required using the router config screen. I'm not convinced I did this correctly, but I added the necessary port for the phone and for the pc.
Initially the ping said destination host unreachable. I added my phone's ip to the ARP table, and now it says ; request timed out.
I'm posting here because I'm wondering if there is a router setting / config that I can change to be able to ping my phone from my pc, and hopefully therefore to use AiryPlay etc and other apps that require other devices to see my phone, like my PS3, PC, etc.
Any help much appreciated.

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

pwatson — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 09:58:00 GMT

I'm assuming you're trying to ping your phone via wifi rather than 3G?
Try browsing a webpage on your phone while you ping. I believe the standard settings on Android puts the wifi to sleep if an app is not making active use of the network.
Also, remove any of the port forwarding rules and other changes you've made to your router - The routing functions play no part in connections between devices on your LAN.

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

dvorak — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 10:37:35 GMT

Are you sure that the phone will respond to a ping request?

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

H0wl — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 11:12:11 GMT

Hi, this is over wi-fi and I've tried loading a page on the phone concurrently.
I should explain - I don't really need or want my phone to respond to ping.
The main thing is my ps3 and pc can't see / ping my phone, which I assume means I can't use apps / programs that require these devices to see my phone - like airplay.
My goal is to be able to use airplay.
Thanks for advice re port forwarding.

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

bobboulby — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 13:41:22 GMT

Not much help in solving your problem but I can confirm that I can ping my Nexus 4 from a PC on our home network.
Bob.

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

dvorak — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 15:02:01 GMT

Now I'm back home I can't ping my Nexus 4 on my LAN, I can use it as an airplay speaker using AirBubble though

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

dragon2611 — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 22:15:06 GMT

Providing plusnet don't lock down the command line interface try
firewall config icmpchecks=disabled
saveall
You'll need a telnet client such as putty access it

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

pwatson — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 22:19:26 GMT

Quote from: pwatson
The routing functions play no part in connections between devices on your LAN.

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

H0wl — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 09:44:29 GMT

Quote from: dragon2611
Providing plusnet don't lock down the command line interface try
firewall config icmpchecks=disabled
saveall
You'll need a telnet client such as putty access it

Thanks, can this just be done in windows cmd line? Is this the same as putting an icmp rule in windows firewall settings?
So, I've learnt that port forwarding plays no part in LAN connections.
But I want to be able to use apps that require communication between my android phone and my ps3 / pc, which presumably must happen via my router, and must require some port forwarding?
Incidentally, my phone can ping my router using the fing app.
I may be asking this in the wrong place. I'm also asking on the specific support sites for the apps I want to use.
At present I don't know if this is a problem with my phone, my router, or my laptop.

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

pwatson — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 09:56:06 GMT

Once again, the router firewall plays no part in any communication between devices on your LAN.
If your phone can ping the router or, even better, browse to the web interface of the router then all is apparently well. Can you reply back with IP address of your phone and the IP address of the PC you're testing with?

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

H0wl — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:00:04 GMT

I can ping the router with no packet loss.
The phone ip is 192.168.1.84, while the computer is 192.168.1.80.
adie:quote

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

pwatson — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:04:26 GMT

Good - That all looks fine and points towards an issue with the app you're trying to use I'm afraid

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

H0wl — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:03:05 GMT

Alright, thanks for your help. I'll go down that route.

Re: Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

H0wl — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 00:03:56 GMT

Hi,
This was resolved by me attempting to upgrade the firmware on my router.
The firmware upgrade failed, but the process seemed to reset the router, and now I can see the network and communicate with all devices.