WiFi speeds

[Beachguy]

While I am technical, I am a programmer, not a networking guy. I have a basic level of understanding, but there are something I don't know, so I am hoping to get clarification here.

My internet comes in at 110 Mbps. But if I use my router, I am lucky to get 35MBps and sometimes it slows to the point of being useless. I have a Belkin AC300 and a Netgear AC1200 piggy backed on it (the Netgear has a broken DHCP server and will not wotk with my wife's work laptop.

The fin tech support people with Spectrum tell me that 30-40 over WiFi is normal and to be expected. My stepson is going nuts because his PS4 is getting choked by this slow speed.

Is it correct that on 110 out of the modem, I won't see any better than 40 on my devices?

 

[MBAir2010]

Our neighborhood wifi and internet is crawling due to a 97 degree wave, that could be a problem you are having as well

 

[Beachguy]

The WiFi speeds are pretty consistent across all devices, including those listed in my signature and a couple of HP laptops, a Raspberry Pi 3, my wife's iPhone 6s, my stepson's iPhone 7, and his PS4. It's not SSD or processore speed- it's crappy service. It only started acting this was recently.

 

[MBAir2010]

Reboot the router

Enjoy

 

[techwarrior]

Could be modem is not up to the task.

If you have a device that can be hardwired to the router, try speedtest with that setup. if it is still slow, investigate your modem. if it is close to the Spectrum speed, investigate WiFi.

 

[upandown]

I pay for 100 down and 100 up. I get 100 down and 120 up through my wifi router. There's no reason your internet should be anything less than what you pay for on a regular basis. If it is, keep pressing your internet company and/or find the solution.

There's a number of reasons that could be the issue but the point I'm trying to make is you shouldn't have this issue and it is not normal to be so under the speeds you pay for.

 

[NoBoMac]

If you have a device that can be hardwired to the router, try speedtest with that setup. if it is still slow, investigate your modem. if it is close to the Spectrum speed, investigate WiFi.

This. But, I'd probably also add in a speed test wired to the modem as well.

I get about 130-150 down hardwired. Same on 5GHz when close to the router. Get some distance away, speeds drop real fast (getting about 40-50 down, at times dipping to 25). This is a newly acquired Linksys EN8300 router. Previous router was a 6yo Asus router and maxed out at about 25-30, but wired was getting the 130-150 speeds.

Per OP, maybe has an older router, the Belkin N300? Didn't find any AC300 router from them. And would explain poor speed: it's old tech and was probably not ever really able to get to advertised speeds. Add in number of walls and their construction the signal needs to get through, can cause even more grief. Also noise/interference from the neighbor's wifi, everyone on the same channel.

Maybe need to invest in a mesh router, to get the coverage around the home: won't be much more than a standard router (eg. $200 std vs $250 mesh).

 

[techwarrior]

I'd probably also add in a speed test wired to the modem as well.

Agreed. The key is to understand where the bottleneck is.

I hesitated suggesting replacing the router, even an older router with 1Gbps ethernet ports will give good speed results if the modem is up to the task. Most slow network complaints are due to poor WiFi. Most routers, even the dual band perform poorly in the 2.4Ghz frequency due to so many neighbors blasting each others airwaves.

But, first things first, is the wired speed ok? If not, look at modem and router. If yes, focus on WiFi.

 

[Beachguy]

I've replaced routers just a couple of months ago- twice.

Off the modem directly it is 110 consistently. Something in the routers is choking it. Not sure where to look on this. Hardwiring is not an option- I'm simply not set up for it and can't afford changing that. As with the routers, I've had multiple modems and that made no difference.

Are there seettings that can be tweaked to improve the throughput?

 

[techwarrior]

Ok, so hardwired, no issues. That suggests the router and modem are up to the task.

WiFi suffers from a lot of things that kill speed. First, the Netgear and the Belkin routers can cause issues working together. Be certain the Belkin (your router) is setup to have WiFi disabled entirely. Second, make sure the Netgear is in bridge mode, meaning it is just a wireless bridge.

Next, consider tweaking the Netgear WiFi so the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz SSID are different (NETWORK\NETWORK5G for example). Then, while near the Netgear, connect to the 5Ghz network and test speeds. Keep it this way and avoid using 2.4 on devices used within range and capable of using 5Ghz.

2.4 suffers from interference from things like microwaves, radar, wireless home phones, bluetooth devices, wireless keyboards and mice, etc. If you have a USB3 device connected to the Netgear, consider a hub or using a USB2 device, or find shielded USB cables, USB3 emits 2.4Ghz interference.

If you see a lot of neighbors when you go to connect to WiFi, it could be collisions with these networks are happening. Using a WiFi analyzer tool, you can see what channels they are using and set your channels to be different. All of the above interference tends to gravitate around the 2.4Ghz channel 6, so consider using Channel 1 or 11 for 2.4Ghz.

iOS has a WiFi analyzer built in. Go to Settings > Airport Utility > WiFi Scanner and enable it. Then, open AP Utility and click the WiFi scan link in the top right. This works even if you don't have Airport routers and access points.

 

[NoBoMac]

iOS has a WiFi analyzer built in. Go to Settings > Airport Utility > WiFi Scanner and enable it. Then, open AP Utility and click the WiFi scan link in the top right. This works even if you don't have Airport routers and access points.

You sure about that? Search on settings does not turn that up.

Now, there is the Airport Utility app in the App Store, and maybe that adds the option to settings.

 

[techwarrior]

ya, sorry. Have had it installed so long I forgot it was an App Store app.

 

[Howard2k]

You need to be clear and distinct on your Mb/s and MB/s.

110Mb/s is 14MB/s. 35MB/s is 280Mb/s.

So first I recommend re-looking and ensuring that you’re using the correct Mb/s or MB/s.
[doublepost=1533681025][/doublepost]

You sure about that? Search on settings does not turn that up.

Now, there is the Airport Utility app in the App Store, and maybe that adds the option to settings.

On your Mac you can’t also do Option-click on your wifi icon. It’s far more comprehensive than what you will get on iOS.

 

[Beachguy]

I used Techwarrior's suggestions and was able to massively improve the speed. I also used the analyzer in macOS and found a channel conflict. There are still some very strange quirks but for the next few days until my ISP changeover, I'll be good with what I have. My stepson reported much better speeds on his PS4, so all in all, we're good for the next week.

A couple of notes- apologies for the conflicting Mbps and MBps- i need cataract surgert so my vision is wonly causing me lots of typos of late. Also, Howard2k is correct- option click on the wifi icon and there is your analyzer. It's actually very useful!

I'm saving this page so I can return to it after the ISP changeover. Techwarrior- I owe you!

 

[techwarrior]

Now that you know it was WiFi causing the issues, it might be worth relooking at your router situation. You currently have a bit of a kludge, with a router (Belkin) that is apparently underpowered for WiFi, and Netgear (in bridge mode to provide a WiFi access point to your network) with a dysfunctional DHCP.

A new router offering 802.11ac for $100 or so would tend to clean things up a bit by getting rid of the extraneous pieces of the puzzle.

Glad to hear you are making progress. WiFi vendors have tried to make it simple, yet in reality, it is not so. With so many competing signals to contend with, it takes some diligence to iron out the wrinkles, something most people just toss up the hands and buy a new router, only to find the problems persist. So, kudos to you for reaching out, this community has helped me in a lot of ways, so glad to be able to repay the debt in a small way.

BTW, if you do consider a new router, not only will the same concepts need to be followed, but you should avoid overspending. 802.11ac (current WiFi standard) is going to be replaced by 802.11ax in the coming 1-3 years. The ax standard promises to be faster, longer range, and addresses conflicts in areas saturated with WiFi signals. Basically, it incorporates some of the commercial WiFi concepts of tagging and prioritizing data packets so the router can distinguish noise or foreign network signals from those originating from authenticated users. Ever wonder how WiFi in airports or stadiums works reasonably well despite a plethora of SSIDs present? They use techniques. Without these techniques, public WiFi would be unusable, as private WiFi is quickly becoming due to the growing number of uses and devices.

 

[Beachguy]

Long story made shot- I'll have to live with this for a while. With much of the hardware, there's not much reason to look at cutting edge stuff since it isn't supported. Finances are limited anyway (I am no longer working) so convincing my wife is a bit more difficult. LOL!