2021 SL - WIFI turns on by itself randomly

Cryogenix1 · Jul 25, 2021

I don't use MO's wifi or bluetooth, and none of my devices are connected/paired with either of them. I still seem to have SiriusXM even though my 3-month trial period ended a few weeks ago. I've never chosen to ACCEPT allowing my car to transmit information to Nissan, and any/all automatic software updates are disabled/off.

Over the past month or so, I've come to notice that my wifi enables itself without my help, and I can't figure out why. I've just recently started to count the number of days from when I have to turn it off (because I've noticed it's on) to when it reenables itself. So far, it seems like 4-5 days.

Aside from possibly the NAV or SiriusXM, I can't think of what other thing might be trying to access the outside world and is trying to use wifi to do it. The wifi enables itself suddenly no matter where I am, so it's not just when I'm home or at a particular location.

Is MO trying to phone home? Anybody else have this happen?

MuranoSL2003 · Jul 25, 2021

Cryogenix1 said:
I don't use MO's wifi or bluetooth, and none of my devices are connected/paired with either of them. I still seem to have SiriusXM even though my 3-month trial period ended a few weeks ago. I've never chosen to ACCEPT allowing my car to transmit information to Nissan, and any/all automatic software updates are disabled/off.

Over the past month or so, I've come to notice that my wifi enables itself without my help, and I can't figure out why. I've just recently started to count the number of days from when I have to turn it off (because I've noticed it's on) to when it reenables itself. So far, it seems like 4-5 days.

Aside from possibly the NAV or SiriusXM, I can't think of what other thing might be trying to access the outside world and is trying to use wifi to do it. The wifi enables itself suddenly no matter where I am, so it's not just when I'm home or at a particular location.

Is MO trying to phone home? Anybody else have this happen?

IDK... However, if you're concerned, you can turn off Wi-Fi in the settings, or delete your Wi-Fi network...

Cryogenix1 · Jul 26, 2021

MuranoSL2003 said:
IDK... However, if you're concerned, you can turn off Wi-Fi in the settings, or delete your Wi-Fi network...

I am and have been turning off the wifi via that menu, but wifi mysteriously keeps turning itself back on - that's the problem and what's so strange. When I randomly check, wifi is suddenly on again (about every 4-5 days) and any networks within scanning range are shown. For instance, I'll leave in the morning and check that wifi tab, and wifi is off. An hour later while at a store, I'll check and wifi will still be off. Checking the wifi 15 minutes later while stopped somewhere else might show that wifi is back on and is showing nearby networks.

I'd like to assume that no actual connection and communication can be made without my selecting a network, but frankly I think Nissan may have its software configured to activate and connect to its own network it maintains that's always out there for NissanConnect to randomly connect to in order to collect data. I think most people use wifi, so it's probaly always on and they don't notice anything unusual. Or, if they once turned it off, they don't bother to check again to notice it's back on by itself. I think it's similar to a cellphone, in that a phone without service is still able to communicate to its home base to allow the user to do things like activate it when service has expired or to call 911. I don't think it's a stretch to presume that Nissan has some kind of similar "service" that's perpetually active. If I could pull a fuse or disconnect a wire that only affects the ability for wifi to function, I'd do it.

Here's a thought...what if NissanConnect in my car is detecting NissanConnect in another nearby 2021 Nissan Murano car, and the two cars are trying to connect to each other for whatever reason using wifi?

In any case, my best guess is that either NissanConnect is calling home and providing data about my car without my consent, or because SiriusXM is still active, it's trying to connect to something, possibly in the event it loses its signal, it enables wifi in an attempt to reacquire it.

PaulDay · Jul 26, 2021

Just for a little heads up, 3rd gen Murano's, (And most Nissans is my understanding.), use the 3G ATT phone network to communicate and send data to Nissan.

As of 2/22, ATT will be disabling their 3G network, so all of Nissan cars using the 3G network will loose all communications. No more reports, no help if you're in a collision.

I'm not sure if this is true with the head unit now being manufactured by Bosch.

Personally, since I've heard this about, I've been casually researching if it's possible to swap a sim card to update to the 4G ATT network in the Murano, but haven't found anything yet.

FYI, after several hours with ATT tech support with a new phone that they sent to replace my wife's new (Christmas) 4G Nokia phone, it appears that the 4G phone MUST also support VOLTE (Voice over LTE) 4G and be on their approved white list of 4G VOLTE phones in order to work on the new ATT 4G network.

Have a good day.

Cryogenix1 · Jul 26, 2021

Update: Since I never listen to the radio and was only trying SiriusXM every so often to see if it was still active, I can't really say 100% when I last tried to use it, but when I tried today all I'm getting is the preview and sales pitch. I think I may have tried it out 1.5 weeks ago. So, if wifi doesn't enable itself again, I'll proceed with SiriusXM being the reason wifi was turning itself on every so often, possibly even once a week. Maybe SiriusXM is designed to automatically connect to wifi to relay user stats and settings so they can better serve the customers. I don't know. Since I didn't agree to anything with SiriusXM when I bought MO, I'm a little pissed that I'm getting snail mail from them, trying to get me to enroll. I never get junk mail because I don't sign up for anything. There's probably something in the paperwork I signed when buying MO that says Nissan has the right to provide certain information to its affiliates and third party services in order to better help provide you with the best experience possible, blah blah blah... I'll update if wifi ever pops on again.

Cryogenix1 · Jul 27, 2021

Checked this morning around 7AM and wifi wasn't on. 7:50AM got gas, checked and wifi was on, I turned it off.

8:25AM - stopped at a store and checked wifi before going in, wifi was back on, I turned if off. It hasn't come back on since. After it enabled the second time, I'm now driving with the head unit showing the wifi tab so I can get a more accurate account of when it's turning on. Probably not the case, but maybe somewhere I'm driving is causing the wifi to enable. I might take the same route tomorrow to see if the same thing happens.

Could still be SiriusXM since it's part of the head unit's firmware, or it could be NAV or simply some Nissan component. What I find odd about the wifi tab is that it reads..."(connect for 'software update')" which, when something is in quotes, could mean it has another meaning, such as "connect for 'unauthorized data transmission' of your car's information" -

I'll create a log below to monitor when it's happening, to see if there's a pattern. The times denote a range that the wifi enabled itself. So far, it hasn't come on when the wifi tab is showing, only when the car is turned off and back on, or when the display is showing "audio" and then I open the wifi tab.

7-27-21
7AM-7:50AM - wifi on
7:50AM-8:25AM - wifi on
3:00PM-4:30PM - wifi on

7-31-21
6:50AM - wifi on
9:10AM-9:25AM - wifi on (6:50AM-9:10AM, car was being driven - 9:10AM-9:25AM, car was off and turned back on at 9:25AM and wifi was on)
2:10PM-3:40PM - wifi on

8-3-21
6:45AM - wifi on

8-6-21
6:45AM - wifi on

8-9-21
6:50AM - wifi on

8-17-21
12:45PM - wifi on

8-19-21
12:50PM - wifi on

9-2-21
7:30AM - wifi on

9-4-21
9:25AM - wifi on

9-6-21
7:15AM - wifi on

9-11-21
8:05AM - wifi on

9-16-21
8AM - wifi on

9-18-21
8AM - wifi on
2:05PM - wifi on

9-22-21
7:05AM - wifi on

9-23-21
6:50AM - wifi on
10:05AM - wifi on

9-27-21
8:50AM - wifi on

9-29-21
6:50AM - wifi on

10-1-21
6:50AM - wifi on
2:05PM - wifi on

10-2-21
6:50AM - wifi on

10-4-21
9:45AM - wifi on

10-7-21
7:05AM - wifi on
11:00AM - wifi on

10-12-21
6:55AM - wifi on
11:15AM - wifi on

10-14-21
7:00AM - wifi on

MuranoSL2003 · Jul 27, 2021

Check to see if your system/head unit update is set to auto:

Cryogenix1 · Jul 27, 2021

MuranoSL2003 said:
Check to see if your system/head unit update is set to auto:

Appreciate the help, but as I said I have every possible thing I could find set to disabled/off (and in this case, software update is set to "manual" - and I just double checked) so I don't understand what keeps enabling wifi. Not sure if Nissan has a persistent network that sometimes tries to communicate with my car using some GPS or NAV function or back door, and that signal is able to activate wifi to do whatever, regardless of user settings. Perplexing...

MuranoSL2003 · Jul 27, 2021

Try disconnecting its power for awhile to completely drain any capacitors/memory. Also check to see if there are any new head unit updates available.

Cryogenix1 · Jul 27, 2021

MuranoSL2003 said:
Try disconnecting its power for awhile to completely drain any capacitors/memory. Also check to see if there are any new head unit updates available.

When you say to disconnect its power, are you talking about the car (NEG battery lead) or do you mean power off the head unit using the power button? FYI, I had disconnected the NEG battery cable when I had the fuel cap issue lastd month, so I think that would've discharged any capacitors and cleared anything resident in memory. FYI, I was visually blown away when I went to replace the NEG battery lead, as there was a fireworks display of sparks that shot out around the post just as the lead was about to touch it. I've never experienced such a reaction when connecting a battery on any vehicle. Really crazy.

MuranoSL2003 · Jul 27, 2021

Maybe your headlights were on, or set to turn on automatically? Any significant active load may have been the cause of the sparks when connecting the negative terminal...

Cryogenix1 · Jul 27, 2021

MuranoSL2003 said:
Maybe your headlights were on, or set to turn on automatically? Any significant active load may have been the cause of the sparks when connecting the negative terminal...

Ignition was off, radio off, headlights off, headlights not set to AUTO, etc. It really took me by surprise, so much so that I ended up pulling back the NEG lead and trying it again, and the same thing happened. Naturally, I can't control what electrical things do by themelves when power is reintroduced, so maybe it was the computer freaking out by getting power back. The only thing I can't say for sure is if the driver's front door was open when I replaced the NEG lead. It might have been. Possibly when the NEG lead touched its post, that triggered the interior lighting and generated the big reaction.

Cryogenix1 · Jul 31, 2021

Happened again today. I noticed it only seems to be enabled (the random times it's on) when I select "connections" and then open the wifi tab, meaning it hasn't suddenly enabled itself while driving with the wifi tab displayed. I'd be willing to bet the wifi system has access to constant battery power so it can connect to wherever, whenever whatever tells it to. The times span the range in which the wifi enabled iteself before I checked the tab. A lone number means it was enabled first time I checked in the morning. The last time range represents when I checked the tab and found wifi enabled.

7-27-21
7AM-7:50AM - wifi on
7:50AM-8:25AM - wifi on
3:00PM-4:30PM - wifi on

7-31-21
6:50AM - wifi on
9:10AM-9:25AM - wifi on (6:50AM-9:10AM, car was driven - 9:10AM-9:25AM car was off then started at 9:25AM and wifi was on)
2:10PM-3:40PM - wifi on (1PM-2:10PM car was driven - 2:10PM-3:40PM car was off, then started at 3:40PM and wifi was on)

8-3-21
6:45AM - wifi on

8-6-21
6:45AM - wifi on

8-9-21
6:50AM - wifi on

8-17-21
12:45PM - wifi on

8-19-21
12:50PM - wifi on

9-2-21
7:30AM - wifi on

9-4-21
9:25AM - wifi on

9-6-21
7:15AM - wifi on

9-11-21
8:05AM - wifi on

9-16-21
8AM - wifi on

9-18-21
8AM - wifi on
2:05PM - wifi on

9-22-21
7:05AM - wifi on

9-23-21
6:50AM - wifi on
10:05AM - wifi on

9-27-21
8:50AM - wifi on

9-29-21
6:50AM - wifi on

10-1-21
6:50AM - wifi on
2:05PM - wifi on

10-2-21
6:50AM - wifi on

10-4-21
9:45AM - wifi on

10-7-21
7:05AM - wifi on
11:00AM - wifi on

10-12-21
6:55AM - wifi on
11:15AM - wifi on

10-14-21
7:00AM - wifi on

10-18-21
7:05AM - wifi on

10-21-21
7:10AM - wifi on

10-26-21
7:15AM - wifi on

10-29-21
7:10AM - wifi on
11:15AM - wifi on

The concern is my privacy and the fact that the first wifi tab under Connections lists a sole entry of "connect for software update" and shows wifi is on at that tab. When I click the wifi settings button, the tab changes to show available wireless networks. My point is, why would the initial wifi tab screen not simply show the available networks? Why is "software update" on that first tab screen? Seems a little sketchy. I believe at the first wifi tab screen, when wifi is shown as on, that means it's already connected to some Nissan network and is doing (or has already done) whatever it's programmed to do. Since I never agreed to the terms to have my car transmit data, I wonder if that option is merely there to give the appearance that owners have a choice, and since most owners probably just agree to the terms, they may not know they don't really have a choice in the matter. Just a conspiracy-like theory...

Cryogenix1 · Oct 26, 2021

The above post is going to be the final update unless I can figure out what's always trying to access the outside world. Might be a moot point, since I plan to replace the head unit by the start of the new year once my waranty expires. Getting close...

Cryogenix1 · Jan 19, 2022

So far in 2022, the wifi has not reenabled itself. I wonder if it's programmed to acquire (or try to acquire) a network within its first calendar year, then stop. Or, perhaps the constant reenabling had to do with SiriusXM. Since I bought the car in April 2021 and had a free trial for a few months but didn't renew, perhaps, legally, SiriusXM can't try to have my car uplink to its network in a new calendar year without a current (or inactive) subscription within that year.

Update: (the next day)... Of course, this morning the wifi was enabled again... I guess it's forever, but we'll respond again in May (after more than 12 months with the car) if the wifi stays disabled.

silverctr · Jan 23, 2022

Is it possible that the use of Apple Carplay/Android Auto might cause the wifi to turn on?

Cryogenix1 · Apr 3, 2023

So nothing has changed, WIFI continues to randomly enable itself for whatever reason. I noticed that in the months of January and February, there are long periods where the WIFI isn't being activated. I never changed the head unit.

Cryogenix1 · Apr 3, 2023

silverctr said:
Is it possible that the use of Apple Carplay/Android Auto might cause the wifi to turn on?

Could you elaborate? Is Android Auto just the firmware the infotainment system uses, or is there some other part of the system where AA comes into play? I'm not connecting a smartphone to my system for data transfer or for a WIFI network, and I don't use bluetooth, etc.

2021 SL - WIFI turns on by itself randomly

Cryogenix1

MuranoSL2003

Cryogenix1

PaulDay

Cryogenix1

Cryogenix1

MuranoSL2003

Cryogenix1

MuranoSL2003

Cryogenix1

MuranoSL2003

Cryogenix1

Cryogenix1

Cryogenix1

Cryogenix1

silverctr

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