LEDMatrix/docs/archive/AP_MODE_MANUAL_ENABLE.md

AP Mode Manual Enable Configuration

Overview

By default, Access Point (AP) mode is not automatically enabled after installation. AP mode must be manually enabled through the web interface when needed.

Default Behavior

• Auto-enable AP mode: false (disabled by default)
• AP mode will not automatically activate when WiFi or Ethernet disconnects
• AP mode can only be enabled manually through the web interface

Why Manual Enable?

This prevents:

• AP mode from activating unexpectedly after installation
• Network conflicts when Ethernet is connected
• SSH becoming unavailable due to automatic AP mode activation
• Unnecessary AP mode activation on systems with stable network connections

Enabling AP Mode

Via Web Interface

1. Navigate to the WiFi tab in the web interface
2. Click the "Enable AP Mode" button
3. AP mode will activate if:
   • WiFi is not connected AND
   • Ethernet is not connected

Via API

# Enable AP mode
curl -X POST http://localhost:5001/api/v3/wifi/ap/enable

# Disable AP mode
curl -X POST http://localhost:5001/api/v3/wifi/ap/disable

Enabling Auto-Enable (Optional)

If you want AP mode to automatically enable when WiFi/Ethernet disconnect:

Via Web Interface

1. Navigate to the WiFi tab
2. Look for the "Auto-enable AP Mode" toggle or setting
3. Enable the toggle

Via Configuration File

Edit config/wifi_config.json:

{
  "auto_enable_ap_mode": true,
  ...
}

Then restart the WiFi monitor service:

sudo systemctl restart ledmatrix-wifi-monitor

Via API

# Get current setting
curl http://localhost:5001/api/v3/wifi/ap/auto-enable

# Set auto-enable to true
curl -X POST http://localhost:5001/api/v3/wifi/ap/auto-enable \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"auto_enable_ap_mode": true}'

Behavior Summary

Auto-Enable Setting	WiFi Status	Ethernet Status	AP Mode Behavior
false (default)	Any	Any	Manual enable only
true	Connected	Any	Disabled
true	Disconnected	Connected	Disabled
true	Disconnected	Disconnected	Auto-enabled

When Auto-Enable is Disabled (Default)

• AP mode never activates automatically
• Must be manually enabled via web UI or API
• Once enabled, it will automatically disable when WiFi or Ethernet connects
• Useful for systems with stable network connections (e.g., Ethernet)

When Auto-Enable is Enabled

• AP mode automatically enables when both WiFi and Ethernet disconnect
• AP mode automatically disables when WiFi or Ethernet connects
• Useful for portable devices that may lose network connectivity

Troubleshooting

AP Mode Not Enabling

1. Check if WiFi or Ethernet is connected:

   nmcli device status
   

2. Check auto-enable setting:

   python3 -c "
   from src.wifi_manager import WiFiManager
   wm = WiFiManager()
   print('Auto-enable:', wm.config.get('auto_enable_ap_mode', False))
   "
   

3. Manually enable AP mode:

   • Use web interface: WiFi tab → Enable AP Mode button
   • Or via API: POST /api/v3/wifi/ap/enable

AP Mode Enabling Unexpectedly

1. Check auto-enable setting:

   cat config/wifi_config.json | grep auto_enable_ap_mode
   

2. Disable auto-enable:

   # Edit config file
   nano config/wifi_config.json
   # Set "auto_enable_ap_mode": false
   
   # Restart service
   sudo systemctl restart ledmatrix-wifi-monitor
   

3. Check service logs:

   sudo journalctl -u ledmatrix-wifi-monitor -f
   

Migration from Old Behavior

If you have an existing installation that was auto-enabling AP mode:

1. The default is now false (manual enable)
2. Existing configs will be updated to include auto_enable_ap_mode: false
3. If you want the old behavior, set auto_enable_ap_mode: true in config/wifi_config.json

Related Documentation

• WiFi Setup Guide
• SSH Unavailable After Install
• WiFi Ethernet AP Mode Fix