WiFi performance degrades but is fixed by turning device wifi off then on again.

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rossmcm

111 posts

Master Geek

#201388 16-Aug-2016 19:03

I have two access points at home - one is the ADSL modem (netcomm NB604N) and the other is a LinkSys WRT54G running as an extender at the other end of the house. Signal seen from either is not great, and coupled with the lousy ADSL in our street (7/0.5 Mbit on a good day), internet is still usable - just. Whatever, the problem I have is this:

Regularly, some of the devices connected to WiFi (an iPad 4 and a Sony Tablet S) decide they are going to go really slow. The Sony tablet gets to the point where it switches between the two AP's or just gives up. The iPad freezes on page loads and eventually times out.

In both cases, the cure is to switch off WiFi on the device and switch it on again. Then things seem to sing along wonderfully until some days later when I have to repeat the procedure.

What could this be caused by? If I look at the spectrum with WiFi analyzer it seems as if signals are stronger after the WiFi switch off/on. Could a rogue device in the neighbourhood (portable handset, etc) cause this effect?

solutionz

589 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1612791 16-Aug-2016 21:10

See: Why is my WiFi slow?: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/8728

Post screenshots of:

NetComm Router > Wireless > Advanced
WiFi analyzer > AP list

michaelmurfy

meow
13240 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1612834 16-Aug-2016 21:43

The WRT54GL was awesome back in its day however you really need to retire this. I would recommend going towards a newer Wireless AC router. There is a current Geekzone competition (Here) to get one for free however failing that have a look at my list (Here) for some of the routers both I and others recommend around here.

Spend some money and spend it right :)

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

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webwat

2036 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1614906 20-Aug-2016 19:50

The Linksys is cabled directly to the ADSL modem? Thats my first thing to check, and since they can't see each other well over wifi then a functioning ethernet link would make a noticable improvement. I wouldn't expect interferance/congestion from other networks to cause continuous slowdown. If you turn of the linksys instead of the device, does that fix the problem too? Would point to the linksys or its link to the ADSL modem being a possibility.

I have to say that 7mbps downstream is very good performance for ADSL, not so much for ADSL2, but 0.5 up is a bit slow even for an old ADSL modem. You should check whether any telephone or other device (like an alarm) is not on a filter. A master filter hardwired into the phone line may improve this as usual.

Time to find a new industry!

rossmcm

111 posts

Master Geek

#1614952 20-Aug-2016 21:58

Yes , the Linksys is directly wired. Turning off the Linksys did not improve things, it seemed as if it was the restart of the device that got things going again. The connection is actually sold to us as ADSL2, but the modem won't connect unless we backtrack it to ADSL. We have the same plan at work and we get 20Mb. When I was trying to troubleshoot the speed issues, I disconnected the entire house phone system and connected the modem directly across the incoming pair. Still only 7Mb. The ISP refuses to accept that its inferior performance (I have no real gripe with them - I think what they are saying between the lines is that Chorus isn't going to be interested in fixing it).