Path: ...!feeds.phibee-telecom.net!weretis.net!feeder8.news.weretis.net!newsfeed.xs3.de!nntp-feed.chiark.greenend.org.uk!ewrotcd!.POSTED.chiark.greenend.org.uk!not-for-mail
From: Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.raspberry-pi
Subject: Re: Weird Wifi problem Pi Zero W
Date: 25 Aug 2024 12:46:34 +0100 (BST)
Organization: University of Cambridge, England
Message-ID: <2al*MzSSz@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>
References: <vaevoe$1rafl$1@dont-email.me>
Injection-Info: chiark.greenend.org.uk; posting-host="chiark.greenend.org.uk:93.93.131.173";
	logging-data="7864"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@chiark.greenend.org.uk"
User-Agent: tin/1.8.3-20070201 ("Scotasay") (UNIX) (Linux/5.10.0-28-amd64 (x86_64))
Originator: theom@chiark.greenend.org.uk ([93.93.131.173])
Bytes: 2339
Lines: 27

mm0fmf <none@invalid.com> wrote:
> The fault moves with the Pi and doesn't seem to be software dependent. 
> Using Debian 12 and checking with a USB Ethernet connection the Wifi 
> fails with "could not activate connection: Activation failed: secrets 
> were required but not provided" even though the password is set and has 
> connected. I've checked there's no dust/dirt or other contamination on 
> the PCB. I've powered it from several different USB ports (desktop, 
> router, phone charger).  The rest of the Pi seems to work fine when the 
> Ethernet connection is in use. Or when it was in an original Pi Model A 
> with a USB Wifi dongle, it boots and the Wifi connects. The software 
> image appears OK. It's just this Pi Zero W with iffy Wifi.
> 
> Has anyone seen anything like this? Most annoying. Any ideas?

First things first the Zeros are 2.4GHz only.  Maybe you don't notice iffy
2.4GHz signal on devices that support 5GHz?

I suppose it's possible to get a static zap into the RF frontend, which
might degrade reception without entirely killing it.  Newer Pis have a
screened RF section which may help prevent static zapping, but there may
still be exposed pads (eg the antenna test points).

As has already been said, if you've narrowed it down to the hardware then
there's nothing for it but to replace it (and perhaps relegate the old one
to some use that doesn't need wifi).  The current Zero 2 W is much nicer
than the original Zero, btw.

Theo