Powerline Slow

[RobertS]

I have a powerline adapter plugged directly into the wall (not into an extension lead) and when i do a speedtest.net or even try to download anything on steam, i am getting less than half the speeds that i am getting if i used the inbuilt wifi card on my motherboard. The motherboard has gigabit Ethernet so that shouldnt be an issue. I am using a CAT 6 cable for both adapters (one connecting to the router and one connecting to the PC) and the powerline adapter which i am using is the BT Broadband Extender Flex 1000 kit (https://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-Broadband-Extender-Powerline-pass-through/dp/B00P7XV004). I am paying for 200mbps from Virgin Media, with WiFi I am getting 180mbps, with powerline i am getting 60mbps, plugged directly into the router i am getting 211mbps.  Is it normal for a powerline adapter to be this slow or am i doing something wrong?

[DJ46]

I remember that Kyle from Bitwit found that plugging the adapter into a wall socket instead of a power strip and trying to get the adapters on the same circuit can improve the speed.

[Skiiwee29]

Powerline adapters are tricky because it depends on how clean your power signal is on the lines its running. Chances are, you likely do not have good, clean power to carry the signal without interference or issues. 

[RobertS]

i am plugged into a wall socket but a dont know about the circuits in my house

[RobertS]

Just now, Skiiwee29 said:

Chances are, you likely do not have good, clean power to carry the signal without interference or issues.  

So there's nothing i can do to fix this then?

[Skiiwee29]

1 minute ago, RMSONE01634 said:

So there's nothing i can do to fix this then?

most likely no. 

[Jurrunio]

powerline is much less reliable than ethernet cable, or even WiFi if the signal's good. Want speed, don't use powerline.

[RobertS]

Do they degrade over time because i believe when i first bought it i was getting over 100mbps?

[RobertS]

Just now, Jurrunio said:

powerline is much less reliable than ethernet cable,

For playing/downloading games, would you recommend running a 20m ethernet cable through my house?  I cannot drill through the walls as i am renting my house.  I will remove the ethernet cable each time, so it looking ugly is no problem

[Jurrunio]

32 minutes ago, RMSONE01634 said:

For playing/downloading games, would you recommend running a 20m ethernet cable through my house?  I cannot drill through the walls as i am renting my house.  I will remove the ethernet cable each time, so it looking ugly is no problem

for speed, of course.

[beersykins]

That sounds about right depending on a variety of factors.  I bought some powerline adapters while I am in the process of running some Ethernet through the attic, but across breakers and the house it nets about 80 mbit from a trendnet av2 1200 kit.

 

If you have the option of running an Ethernet cable just do that.

 

[DataEmo]

I upgraded my house a year ago from one central RCD + circuit breakers to all RCBO the speed drops from around 80 Mbit to 6 Bbit between the same two wall outlets. The outlets are still on the same phase. Finally I replaced the powerline system with a proper OS2 cable to the barn.

[aezakmi]

10 hours ago, RMSONE01634 said:

For playing/downloading games, would you recommend running a 20m ethernet cable through my house?  I cannot drill through the walls as i am renting my house.  I will remove the ethernet cable each time, so it looking ugly is no problem

Yes

 

Just don't bend it too much (try to do only 90 degree turns) and avoid UTP for such lenght if you live in a building