Extremely Slow Wifi(HELP)

[duckwithanokhat]

Hi.

 

Lately my Wifi has been EXTREMELY slow. It was so slow at one point that Windows 10 thought the connection was broken. So as you can tell I'm using Windows 10 and have a TP-LINK TL-WN881ND (product page) for my pcie wifi adapter. Before you say "Just run an ethernet cable" I can't my router is downstairs, I wish I could because on ethernet, internet speeds are 60 down 20 up. I also can't set up a powerline ethernet setup because the room I'm in and the room the router is in are on different circuits (I think that is what its called but I think you get the idea). Here are some things I noticed that might help:

 

Something I've noticed is that Windows recognizes the pcie adapter as something else, but since it hasn't really affected my wifi until now I just want to put it out there: https://gyazo.com/17240f083d6a507fc5e9e44ea2bb5b63.

 

Prior to this problem, I've always had 4-5 bars of connection. Now I average 1-3 bars, usually in the 1-2 range.

 

Probably should mentioned that I accidentally installed malware/virus (not sure which one), which I'm pretty sure was just adware, but I noticed it was a malware/virus immediately so I was able to remove it quickly with malwarebytes and my antivirus program. Not sure if I got all of it though.

 

Related to the virus/malware issue, I have a SSD and hard drive setup, so my OS and some primary programs are on the ssd and the rest is on my HDD, and since my default install path is on the SSD, I'm pretty sure that all of the viruses/malware was installed on the SDD.

 

This problem started around mid January and hasn't really picked up until last week.

 

Here is a speedtest I just took: http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/5088945800. I'm the only one using the internet right now. I also took a speedtest on my phone in the same exact location as my computer I got 20 down 15 up. Before this, I had around 20 down and 15 up on my computer as well.

 

I know that the TL-WN881ND has Windows 10 drivers, but when I tried installing them it said that it wasn't compatible, I tried running it in compatibility mode with XP, 7, 8 and 8.1. 

 

The space between my wifi and router is like 1-2 walls, but like I said before it was fine before all of this.

 

Even while I was typing this I got randomly disconnected from my internet, which only happened to my computer, the internet was fine. When the internet was disconnected, my computer couldn't open the network and sharing center, when I tried it was just a white screen.

 

A lot of stuff that I wrote, if I notice anything else I'll add it. Anyways, so my hypothesis(s) is that either my pcie adapter is failing or incompatible with Windows 10 or there is still some remains of the malware/virus on my computer affecting my wifi. What do you guys think plagues my wifi? It would be nice to be able to load a youtube video at 360p.

[Bananasplit_00]

this is something i would have written before i just accepeted that wireless internet is a pice of shit that shouldent exist but does and we have loads of problems with it. also that card is the one i have and its ongly "semi suported" and workes ongly when it wants to with only some hardwere as far as i can tell. it overheast and has nothing that can be called good about it, a USB wifi dongle for a similar price will literaly beat the shit out of it. your haveing the exact problems i am, with similar hardwere in a basicaly identical inviroment, i live on the second floor and theres ongly the floor and a wall between me and the router, i have that exact card, upstairs is a difirent circut and there is no way to have a cable between me and the router. i have yet to find any soluton to any of these problems and i have been searching for months so good luck and wellcome to my life. would honstly not surptise me if we had the same router and ISP too lol. restarting your router and computer are things that might help with this, or bigger antenas for your router, i cant upgrade mine because the one it has is internaly placed and in accesable, but you might have a difirent story. if you find something that works PLEASE TELL ME BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW

[duckwithanokhat]

Sure I'll tell if I find something that works. 

 

Is it true that usb dongles are better? I didn't know that they gave me the impression that they were consumer grade stuff and that the pcie adapters were more "hardcore", interesting. Do you know about any good ones you could recommend?

 

Right now I'm searching for a for-sure Windows 10 compatible adapter and may or may not try it depending on price.

 

Something I've noticed is when I get disconnected my computer slows down, which shouldn't be happening because internet speeds don't effect PC performance, does this happen to you too?

 

It's weird how on my phone I get 60 up and 20 down in the exact same location. And considering how big an iPhone 6 is, the wifi adapter they use is probably smaller than my CPU, yet better than an aftermarket one with two antennas. What the hell.

[scottyseng]

3 hours ago, duckwithanokhat said:

-snip-

I personally find the USB dongles to be inferior to the PCIe cards (The USB connection is usually a bottleneck sometimes).

 

Maybe try this PCIe adapter from Intel? I've used it before and it works pretty solidly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106251

 

And your PC should remain the same speed even if you're disconnected.

You should also pay attention to where you have the wifi antenna placed (Well, on your card you're stuck with the default antenna spots). Sometimes you might accidently be picking up interference if it's close to electronics.

[Trikein]

5 hours ago, scottyseng said:

I personally find the USB dongles to be inferior to the PCIe cards (The USB connection is usually a bottleneck sometimes).

Its all about the bottleneck. Changing from USB to PCIe may increase the adapter to PC throughput, but then your also physically sticking the thing inside your computer with the antennas hanging out of a large case usually pushed against a wall. Put your cell phone back there and see how well it works. Thats why the better PCIe cards have exstenstions for external antennas. Intel just started to produce them but Asus started it. If you can find one, the ASUS PCE-AC56 would be a great choice. Can get it refurb for about 50$. 

 

Or better yet, just keep your current card and replace the antenna. Two of these screwed into the back of the adapter would not only increase your dBi but you could use the long wire to move the antenana anywhere you want. The closer to the router and the more open and LOS the connection the better.

 

Last, what router do you have? There could be settings to help your speed. For example, your adapter has 2T2R MIMO, maybe your router's wireless isn't configured for that. Would need a 40Mhz channel width, so 5Ghz would work better, as long as there arent too many walls between PC and router.