topic Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper in Full Fibre

New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:30:43 GMT

Just had fibre 150 installed yesterday I now am using the wifi hub 2 vs SGK100206.

It seems that the wifi signal is not as strong as the old hub (copper )

The day before the fibre install i did a key room and also garden test where i mostly use the internet and am now comparing the results.

At first thought that the signal/ speed was slower but I think the signal seems to be coming and going which may account for my seeing poor results on the new compared to the old, depending on the exact moment I start the sped test.

I have a wifi app that is showing me that the router is using channel 11 but this channel seems to be varying star wise from full stars - all the way down to 0 star and yet other channels are consistently stable at full stars. See screen shot from phone.

wi fi

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:29:23 GMT

As I understood it - I thought that the router changed its channel depending on it finding the best one but it seems to like channel 11 which looks iffy !

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:41:51 GMT

Hi,

@KeithFrench - would you be able to offer any advice on the wireless please?

Thanks

Michelle

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

KeithFrench — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:49:35 GMT

Hi @Marvel

@Anonymous has asked me to help you. That screenshot is not much use. I will need to see the main AP view, 2.4 & 5GHz channels plus the signal strength/time graphs. I will also need to know your network name as well. Please PM all of this to me to protect your privacy.

The information below is provided by TalkTalk, for confirmation please contact @Debbie-TalkTalk or@Michelle-TalkTalk.

KeithFrench is one of our valued Community Stars and can help with a range of issues related to wireless and networking. At times he may ask you to send him test results via a Private Message to help analyse/diagnose an issue. Although Keith does not work for TalkTalk, he very kindly shares his time and knowledge to help with others.

If you need further help or, if we need to take any details such as personal information about your account like phone numbers, account numbers etc. one of the TalkTalk team will jump in and help out.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:58:37 GMT

Thanks keith I will get onto it.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:34:54 GMT

I will get onto the info ASAP but is there a short cut, can I just tell the router to use one of the other channels that are not so flaky.

I think am aware of the best practices with regard to the best wifi signal re- position - facing direction, glass mirrors, vases and such like, so all of that is as best s it can be.. For reference the new router is in exactly the same position as the old one.

Thanks

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

KeithFrench — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:52:41 GMT

The problem is that both routers use WiFi Optimisation, a feature that is supposed to ensure that you are always on the best channel. You can try changing the channel, but there is every chance that WiFi Optimisation will move you back again.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:46:59 GMT

Ok not done the tests yet that you needed but I have looked at the router settings and channel 1 is selected and when I click the drop down list the first option is "auto" so shouldn't the router be set to this (auto ) in order for it to use its use it's WiFi Optimisation,

I have just realised that earlier it was channel 11 but now it is channel 1 so it seems to be doing its thing and changing but according to my wi fi analyser app channel 1 is now the least best along with 11. Its like the router is picking the worst channel instead of the best.

Sitting here watching the app channel 6 and 7 are constantly the best channel - why is it not using those.

Same for the 5Ghz it is set at 108 but there is an option for "auto"

Should I just change them both to Auto. Or was it indeed on auto and the channel 1 and 108 displayed are what it has chosen. Or would it just say "auto"

Thanks

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 22:51:37 GMT

Another update from looking at my app I can see neighbours are using channel 1 - and someone else is using channel 11 so I have changed the 2.4Hgz to channel 13 - see how it goes.

But still from all of my tests it looks like the wi fi signal falls off a lot more than the old router HUB1 did the further from the router I go - I know that is normal but it falls off so much that the speeds on 150Mbs at the router are not any faster than the old 55Mbs router - in those furthest from places.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

KeithFrench — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 09:12:17 GMT

Hi @Marvel

The channel setting makes no difference at all to WiFi optimisation, it can still override a dedicated channel as well as auto. You can use channel 6, but not 7 or 13 at all. The only channels that should ever be used within the 2.4GHz band are 1, 6 or 11. Don't take my word for this, it is covered in these articles:-

http://www.metageek.com/training/resources/why-channels-1-6-11.html

http://boundless.aerohive.com/experts/WLAN-Channels-Explained.html

Channels 12 & 13 within the 2.4GHz band cannot be used either, because they interfere with channel 11 (not 5 channels apart from 11) and not all devices support these two channels anyway.

The 5GHz band handles WiFi interference in a much more efficient way anyway. With the 5GHz band, unless it uses channels 36 - 48, not all devices that support this WiFi band can use channels 52 & above. They will therefore be related to the 2.4GHz band. I will explain why, if you want, but it is very complex.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

KeithFrench — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 09:26:07 GMT

Hi @Marvel

In addition to all of the above, when dealing with devices that don't reach an expected speed, I can help with this as well. Please send me a PM containing:-

Those screenshots from your WiFi analyser.
The device makes & models that are low speed, if a PC, then it is the make/model of the WiFi adapter (card) within them that I need.
Then I need to know where all of the devices are in relation to your router & rough description as to where the router is.
I need to know approximately what height the router is & whether it is in a cupboard or out in the open, plus what electronic equipment is near it.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:17:13 GMT

Ok thank you keith.

Yes indeed I set the router to 13 last night and this morning its back to 1. Although everything worked ok on 13. So why does the router give me the channel options if it ignores them and does what it wants.

Also how often does the router "have a look" at the signal and decide what is best. Because I can clearly see that the channel it has chosen is not the best (or at least I think I can see )

I will PM you the info. But with respect to all of the above questions - the router is in the same position as the old one. I have 2 devices that I am using for testing Wi Fi only - a phone and a tablet, computer is wired and no issues that I can see with wired speed although a little lower than I expected. I have 4 main testing areas. I will Pm you thank you.

For a reference point this is the speed at a wired PC on about 6m of Cat5/6 cable. Although I did do the screenshot before it had finished the upload speed otherwise when I get the final results screen it doesn't show the ms.

speed.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

KeithFrench — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:23:43 GMT

If you look at any router they all have channels 1 - 11 selectable with some offering 12 & 13 as well (depending on their chipset and country restrictions. They have done this the 802.11 specification was introduced back in 1977 I expect. I have no idea how the WiFi Optimisation algorithm works, probably that is something that only the manufacturers do.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:30:09 GMT

Sending PM now - thank you.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

KeithFrench — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:23:03 GMT

Hi @Marvel

The room that you are testing in is an extension, does this have insulation in the cavity of the walls between the original house and the extension? If so, could that insulation be covered in metal foil? This has been the practice for quite a number of years now.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

KeithFrench — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:24:16 GMT

Your signal strength, by the time it reaches your extension, is very weak, you might benefit from a Sagemcom FAST 266 WiFi Booster.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:33:44 GMT

Thanks keith. No there is no insulation like that in the way'

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Marvel — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:36:22 GMT

Thanks keith, yes this is a sub optimal room but I am comparing it with the old FTTC and those speeds in that room were better. Making me suspect that the wifi signal on the new Hub 2 is not as strong as the old one.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

KeithFrench — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:52:58 GMT

Yes, I would agree with you, which is why I am suggesting a 266 WiFi Booster.

Re: New Hub2 fibre not as good wifi as Hub1 copper

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 06:53:29 GMT

Morning,

I'm sorry to hear this. Would you like us to send a Wifi Booster?

Thanks

Michelle