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Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

H0wl
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: ‎02-11-2013

Can't ping Android phone - request timed out

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.
13 REPLIES 13
pwatson
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Registered: ‎26-11-2012

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

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.
dvorak
Moderator
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Registered: ‎11-01-2008

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

Are you sure that the phone will respond to a ping request?
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H0wl
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: ‎02-11-2013

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

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.
bobboulby
Grafter
Posts: 1,139
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Registered: ‎20-07-2007

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

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.
dvorak
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Registered: ‎11-01-2008

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

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
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dragon2611
Grafter
Posts: 283
Registered: ‎20-10-2013

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

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
pwatson
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Registered: ‎26-11-2012

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

Quote from: pwatson
The routing functions play no part in connections between devices on your LAN.
H0wl
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: ‎02-11-2013

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

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.
pwatson
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Posts: 2,470
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Registered: ‎26-11-2012

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

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?
H0wl
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: ‎02-11-2013

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

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
pwatson
Rising Star
Posts: 2,470
Thanks: 8
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎26-11-2012

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

Good - That all looks fine and points towards an issue with the app you're trying to use I'm afraid  Sad
H0wl
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: ‎02-11-2013

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

Alright, thanks for your help. I'll go down that route.
H0wl
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: ‎02-11-2013

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

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.