Wifi Slowing

[kwaku_100]

Hi. My wifi used to be rather strong and recently it’s slowed down like mad! It isn’t that old but this morning Ookla showed me 223 ms ping 11 download and 14 upload. It’s just become impossible to do anything properly let alone gaming. Please help me to speed it up again (Problem 1)
My computer is also quite far away from the main router. (Note :: the results above were measured nearer to the router) This means that I can’t get a strong connection to game on said computer. I was getting something like 800 ping. It is currently connected to Ethernet from a wifi extender.  Short of moving the router or upgrading it, please can someone give me some advice on how to get a better connection with less ping. (Problem 2)

Thanks!

[Bombastinator]

If there is a change something has changed.  Could be the ISP, could be the space between the two sides of the link, could be EMI from neighbors or something local, and it could be actual hardware change.  Quick things to check: are there any new detectable wifi nodes? Did you recently instal some electric device in the house? 

[Alex Atkin UK]

1 hour ago, kwaku_100 said:

It is currently connected to Ethernet from a wifi extender.  Short of moving the router or upgrading it, please can someone give me some advice on how to get a better connection with less ping. (Problem 2)

Thanks!

You say currently, so do you mean it used to work over WiFi but now you have to use the extender to get a connection?

 

A PC WiFi card may have better reception or newer technology than the extender, especially if it has an antenna away from the back of the PC.

Also check if you are using the same channel as someone else nearby for WiFi on the router.  If your channel overlaps at all (a WiFi scanner app can help you see this) then moving to a channel that doesn't, or reducing your channel width to avoid it, can help).

[Falcon1986]

1 hour ago, kwaku_100 said:

Please help me to speed it up again (Problem 1)

1. What makes/models of network hardware? Include everything from the ISP device, your own router, network adapter, etc.
2. Did you try any of the suggestions from the sticky thread (first 2 sections)?

1 hour ago, kwaku_100 said:

My computer is also quite far away from the main router. (Note :: the results above were measured nearer to the router) This means that I can’t get a strong connection to game on said computer. I was getting something like 800 ping. It is currently connected to Ethernet from a wifi extender.  Short of moving the router or upgrading it, please can someone give me some advice on how to get a better connection with less ping. (Problem 2)

How far is "quite far"? Are there any intervening walls or floors? What are these walls or floors made of?

 

Being connected to a wireless extender via ethernet is not the same as being connected directly to the network backbone via a purely wired connection. Wireless extenders also run at half-duplex speeds so will cut your total bandwidth and increase latency all in an effort to improve range; they shouldn't be relied on when it comes to speed and low latency.

 

The only way to reduce your latency to a minimum is by directly wiring in your PC to the router or ISP device. Short of that, you can try to optimize the existing WiFi but this can end up costing more than simply running an ethernet cable and will probably only get you so far:

1. Reposition the wireless router (elevate, central, no antenna obstruction).
2. Reposition your PC. If it has an external wireless antenna, move it away from any obstructions. Re-orient the antennae until you get the best signal.
3. Run a wireless survey using WiFi Analyzer or similar to get an idea of the other 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks in your area. Post the screenshots. Also, post the wireless settings that your router/ISP device is using.
4. Upgrade your wireless adapter. USB adapters tend to not be as good as their PCIe alternatives. The Intel AX200 and AX210 are WiFi 6/6e adapters that are relatively inexpensive. While you may not have a WiFi 6-compatible wireless router/AP, the technology has many optimizations that make them more efficient on WiFi 5 generation networks.
5. Upgrade your wireless router or AP, or install an AP to provide better wireless coverage where you need it. The important thing is to ensure an ethernet uplink for the AP. If doing this will be difficult, consider mesh.

[Bombastinator]

Re: making the signal stronger-

 

are you up for a new antenna or failing that modding the one you have?  You could make the thing more directional with a DIY reflector, or going half rhombic or something.  Antenna tech is pretty old.  There are actually some world war2 military manuals that may be of some use.  The main difference between ww2 era radio and wifi radio is that the frequency is much higher and that has to be allowed for.  This sort of thing can get quite large.  The half rhombic thing in the military manual involved using a flexible wire as an antenna and draping it in a tree.  You’re inside a house so that would likely mean push pinning to to a wall or ceiling.  There used to be a competition where various DIYers would see how far they could push a standard wifi signal.  It got multiple kilometers but the antennas could be the size of a car.

Edited September 2, 2022 by Bombastinator