Dead Zone?

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BeardyMcBeardFace

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#204808 18-Oct-2016 15:12

Hi,

I have an odd wifi issue in my house. Recently had fibre installed and opted to have it installed in my lounge (at the front of house). My office is as the back of the house. Previously my router was in the kitchen (the middle of the house). Before I could get wifi everywhere, now I can get it everywhere except my office. The odd thing is my office computer shows a full wifi signal, but nothing loads. Same with my laptop when I am in the office. However if I step outside my office door into the hallway everything loads just fine. It appears something is interfering with my ability to fully connect, despite clearly being within wifi range. But whatever it is wasn't interfering when my router was in the kitchen.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? Is it possible there is something within one of the walls that allows the wifi signal but no actually connection?

Would love some help, as I'd rather not run CAT through my attic if I don't have to.

Office computer is a mac mini if that sheds any light.

Dynamic

3869 posts

Uber Geek

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#1652961 18-Oct-2016 15:19

Moving around with the laptop seems to strongly suggest it is signal strength, despite what your signal strength indicator is telling you.

Either improve the wireless somehow or run a cable. In lieu of a cable you can try ethernet over power devices like these http://www.tp-link.com.au/products/details/cat-18_TL-PA4010PKIT.html which work pretty well (but may need to be power cycled a couple of times per year)

In general, cable is faster and more reliable than wireless.

I remain underwhelmed by wireless repeaters.

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raytaylor

4017 posts

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#1655322 20-Oct-2016 20:00

See my signature for info.

You need a tp-link powerline wireless extender kit.

Ray Taylor

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vulcannz

436 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1655506 21-Oct-2016 09:46

Pro-tip: If you're not too fussed about 802.11ac pick up an old Ruckus AP off trademe. I have a 7962 in my ceiling. it covers a 265 sqm 2 story house, + the over 800 sqm section.

Enterprise APs have better radios. I don't think a single AP maker makes their own radio chipsets. They buy them from OEMs, those OEMs have a range of choices - cheap with minimal features through to expensive with all the features. Cheap product = cheap radio. Ruckus have some delightful antennae technology which combined with decent radios makes for a install and forget experience imho.

The ones on trademe tend to be 802.11a/b/g/n - hence their cheaper price. But even on older slow standards they tend to perform better than cheap consumer routers (or cheap consumer routers pretending to be enterprise).

<- no affiliation with Ruckus btw.

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#1655589 21-Oct-2016 11:27

BeardyMcBeardFace:

Is it possible there is something within one of the walls that allows the wifi signal but no actually connection?

On average , every wall the signal goes though will half the signal (at the least)
Some walls block more signal than others.
If you now have a new ISP Supplied router , it may have just bad wifi performance compared to what you had before
You could try changing the wifi channel , clutching at straws though

The signal strength as shown on your laptop may be way off, try a wifi signal strength app on you phone

Its wifi, just the way it is. Get a powerline kit as suggested above :-)