Slow Wireless Speeds

[Drakthorn9935]

Hey guys,

 

So lately I've been noticing some huge internet issues with my computer and phone.

 

Our current plan has us with 20Mbps down and 5Mbps up, which whenever connected LAN we have no problems getting. But lately, my computer is struggling to get a quarter of that speed. Todays test even resulting as slow as .46Mpbs down and 1.89Mbps up. I thought it could've been an issue with my wireless adapter, but just to be sure I restarted my router and tested again. 2.35Mbps down, 4.06Mbps up. This computer is being used on the second floor of our house, on the complete opposite side of the building with 3/5 bars on the Netgear Genie software, and 2/3 bars on the Windows bar. I am using a Netgear N900 WNDA4100 Wireless USB Adapter.

 

Like I said, I thought it could be an issue with my wireless adapter, so I tested using some other wireless devices such as 2 Samsung Chromebooks, an HP Laptop, and a Lenovo Laptop, all connecting to the same server and all located in the same place (on my desk next to my computer). All posted similar results for down and up speeds. At this point I was beginning to think it's a range issue, so I moved the laptops to my sisters room, which is located literally right above the router. In this position all devices received full connectivity. I tested using those laptops, and my sisters computer which connects via a Netgear WN111v2 USB Adapter. All connected to the same server as before, all the same spot. All the same results. Still around 2 - 3Mbps down and 3 - 4Mbps up.

 

I'm at a loss here, I'm pretty sure its my router but if it is I have no idea how to fix it or what I need to get to fix it or anything.

 

It's probably worth mentioning as well that it's not like we have brick or cement walls between us and the router, just wood, drywall, and fiber glass insulation (I would know, family and I replaced it with that -.-) and giving our home internet is a Qwest ZyXEL Q1000z modem/router. Aaaand we go through CenturyLink. If you guys need anymore information, I'm happy to provide it.

 

And as always thanks for the help.

[fisch1l]

Reboot your Wireless Network Gateway by unplugging the router and plugging it back in. 

How long has this problem been persisting? Have you recently made any changes to your networking setup (net devices, smart things...) Or, has something electronic been recently placed on or near the router? Has the router been moved or orientation changed?

 

Sorry for so many questions, but WiFi is really weird when it comes to that stuff.

 

Look forward to helping you resolve this issue!

[Drakthorn9935]

Reboot your Wireless Network Gateway by unplugging the router and plugging it back in. 

How long has this problem been persisting? Have you recently made any changes to your networking setup (net devices, smart things...) Or, has something electronic been recently placed on or near the router? Has the router been moved or orientation changed?

 

Sorry for so many questions, but WiFi is really weird when it comes to that stuff.

 

Look forward to helping you resolve this issue!

I did reboot after that first test with the .46Mbps down... and I've never gotten full 20Mbps down and 5 up as we do connected wired, but I figured that was just due to wifi being wifi. Its gotten increasingly worse over the past 2 - 3 weeks, and nothing has been changed in our networking setup recently. Nothing electronic has been placed near the router, either. However I have been angling the antenna's differently to see if there's any performance difference but no matter how I angle them the results come back the same. The two antenna's are currently both upright.

[fisch1l]

Apparently this router has known overheating issues, which of course cause thermal throttling (decreased performance due to heat) Try seeing if its hot or not, and then mounting an external fan on top right above the air vents.

[Drakthorn9935]

Apparently this router has known overheating issues, which of course cause thermal throttling (decreased performance due to heat) Try seeing if its hot or not, and then mounting an external fan on top right above the air vents.

Wouldn't happen to have any idea on how I'd watch the temps of my router, would ya?

[fisch1l]

Sure. Just try to watch a YouTube vid or something that puts it under a heavy load, and put your hand on it. It should be warm, not hot.

If you want to be fancy, test it with no load, then again with a heavy load. There in theory should be a temperature difference to some extent.