Dynex Blu-Ray Fails to Connect

[boweasel]

We use our Blu-ray player to stream Netflix as well as watch DVDs - our flat widescreen TV is NOT a Smart TV. A couple months ago I started experiencing occasional network connection problems, even though our Blu-ray is closer to our router than our IPad, either of our 2 laptops or our wireless desktop PC. All of those other devices work perfectly.

After I get the connection failure on the TV screen I go into settings and try to manually connect. It finds our network, I choose disconnect, then choose connect. I re-enter the network password, the unit does some sort of checking, then it validates the password, then it connects. BUT, then it does this (to me) weird extra step. It says 'Validating Connection' - which is where it fails. It gives me no error code or offers no reason for the failure.

Sometimes when I click on Netflix it works - and I can see all the titles in our queue. And I can play them all the way through without buffering. And as long as the player is powered on I have no streaming problems. But when we watch a DVD the unit turns itself off about 10 minutes after stopping the disc. Going back to streaming after re-powering the unit starts the ordeal all over again.

[p w]

are you able to hardwire the bluray player and test how it responds to be hooked up via an ethernet cable?


possible the bluray unit's antenna is spotty (if you are using wifi on the bluray player)

possible the router wifi signal is weak in the room or area you are attempting to use the bluray player
(you can measure signal strength with numerous smartphone apps while standing next to that spot).

possible bluray player needs a firmware upgrade.

also possible unit is defective (if everything else fails, are you in the return window?)

[Trace Buster Buster]

Honestly, your blu ray player is probably just crappy at streaming. I've never owned a standalone blu ray player that streams anything well. If you're a serious streamer, bite the bullet and get a dedicated streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire and use the blu ray player for discs only.

[boweasel]

Originally Posted by p w

are you able to hardwire the bluray player and test how it responds to be hooked up via an ethernet cable?
No, not really. Although the bluray is the closest device to the router/modem, it is one floor over it and would require significant Ethernet cable footage to connect the two.

possible the bluray unit's antenna is spotty (if you are using wifi on the bluray player)
Well, maybe..., but if the antenna is 'spotty' why would laptops and desktops situated at much greater distances from the router all work flawlessly?

possible the router wifi signal is weak in the room or area you are attempting to use the bluray player
(you can measure signal strength with numerous smartphone apps while standing next to that spot).
If I drilled a hole in the floor and measured the distance from the bluray to the router it'd probably be under 7 feet.

possible bluray player needs a firmware upgrade.
Well that could be.... Unfortunately I haven't the vaguest notion of how to do that.

also possible unit is defective (if everything else fails, are you in the return window?)

Unit was a gift about 6 years ago - that windows has long since closed. And up until a few months ago it allowed us to stream Netflix without a problem. And none of the components have moved for several years.

[p w]

Originally Posted by boweasel

Unit was a gift about 6 years ago - that windows has long since closed. And up until a few months ago it allowed us to stream Netflix without a problem. And none of the components have moved for several years.

are you able to hardwire the bluray player and test how it responds to be hooked up via an ethernet cable?
No, not really. Although the bluray is the closest device to the router/modem, it is one floor over it and would require significant Ethernet cable footage to connect the two.

if you have a friend with a long ethernet cable, most techies have one for testing, you could do a physical run, just by tossing it on the floor and run it up some steps etc. or you could move bluray player next to the router for a test. attach a small screen to the bluray player and see if it plays smoothly during a full movie.

possible the bluray unit's antenna is spotty (if you are using wifi on the bluray player)
Well, maybe..., but if the antenna is 'spotty' why would laptops and desktops situated at much greater distances from the router all work flawlessly?

that actually could mean there is an issue with the wifi antenna inside the bluray player. since you have devices all around it and farther out not having any wifi issues. it also means your router probably is in the clear as a culprit

possible the router wifi signal is weak in the room or area you are attempting to use the bluray player
(you can measure signal strength with numerous smartphone apps while standing next to that spot).
If I drilled a hole in the floor and measured the distance from the bluray to the router it'd probably be under 7 feet.

That aint the issue then.

as for updating the firmware

i dont know what model you have, so i just went to their website and checked a random bluray player. for this model its located under the support download tab. https://www.dynexproducts.com/pdp/DX-WBRDVD1/2333036

PLEASE: know what model you have before downloading and installing new firmware, you could effectively brick the unit if you put the wrong code on the wrong model. If you are unsure how to identify the model number, get in contact with dynex support https://www.dynexproducts.com/contact-us

[stratford]

boweasel don't be a tight ass, you got what you paid for. Should have spent a few more dollars and got a reputable brand

[Vilya]

The time it took me to type this is more time than I would spend troubleshooting a $20 blu-ray player. Junk it and buy something decent.