Download speed drops when I switch off WiFi

[Andries]

I have a DSL broadband connection with a guaranteed download speed of 28 Mbps. My TalkTalk router is connected via an Ethernet cable to a TP-Link Deco X50-DSL, which handles my Wi-Fi 6 home mesh network. Since I don’t need the router’s Wi-Fi, I turned it off—but I noticed my download speed drops from 28 Mbps to 10 Mbps when I do. Why does this happen?

Initially, I had the X50-DSL connected directly, but TalkTalk insisted on adding their router in between. I assume this helps them better manage the network, which makes sense. However, I’m considering removing the TalkTalk router once everything runs smoothly and only reintroducing it when issues arise. Is this assumption correct? Is the router essential for network management?

In summary, I have two questions:

1. Why does turning off the router’s Wi-Fi impact my download speed?
2. Can I safely remove the TalkTalk router without affecting network management, keeping my TP-Link mesh network (which works perfectly in my 3-story house) as the primary system.

[KeithFrench]

You are very welcome @Andries

 That question is one for TalkTalk, not me.

[Andries]

Thanks, I have removed the TalkTalk router and it is currently showing 33 Mpbs. So all good!!

Leaves the question open why the helpdesk cannot do this without a TalkTalk router but happy so far. Thanks for your advice Keith.

[KeithFrench]

Depending on the configuration of this X50 (I do not know the product) there should be no need for it to bridge at all, providing that:-

1. The port the Sagemcom connects to on the X50 is configured as a WAN port, not a LAN one.
2. The Sagemcom & X50 are on different IP networks.

Get it all setup as you want it (Sagemcom or not) & then I will ask TalkTalk to optimise your connection which may bring the speed back up.

[Andries]

@KeithFrench 

I did have 30 Mbps with the X50-DSL until the network went down Sunday Jan 5th. Then my speed went down to about 20 Mbps so I contacted the helpdesk. After two long sessions I was told I needed to install a TalkTalk router to obtain my guaranteed bandwidth. Therefore they did send me a new SAGEMCOM FAST F5364 last week that I installed over the weekend. So now my X50-DSL is a bridge connected to one of the ethernet ports of the TalkTalk router. But only yesterday the connection went down twice (was it rebooted from TalkTalk end???), it never happened with the X50-DSL. And I also loose some networking functionality in this set-up.

The TalkTalk router cannot cover my 3 storey house and the number of connections I have. The X50-DSL allows to manage my bandwidth and make optimal use of my DSL until we hopefully get fibre at some time in the future.

[KeithFrench]

HI @Andries 

@Michelle-TalkTalk has asked me to help you. First, you do not have to use the TalkTalk router if you do not want to. However, if using it boosts your line speed to 28M, then you might be better off still using this. Which make/model of TalkTalk router do you have? I assume that you are connecting your mesh directly to a LAN port of the TalkTalk router? Please can you PM me a screenshot (to preserve your privacy) from the X50-DSL showing it is limited to 24999 Kbps?

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.

[Andries]

They said I needed to do it to get my speed upto 28 Mbps. Still don't understand as my X50-DSL clearly showed it was limited at 24999 Kbps. Why can't they change that limit?? That's why I installed the TalkTalk router and it is at 31 Mbps, giving me effectively something like 27-28....

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Morning,

@KeithFrench - would you be able to provide any advice please?

Thanks

Michelle

[Andries]

They said I needed to do it to get my speed upto 28 Mbps. Still don't understand as my X50-DSL clearly showed it was limited at 24999 Kbps. Why can't they change that limit?? That's why I installed the TalkTalk router and it is at 31 Mbps, giving me effectively something like 27-28....

[Andries]

X50-DSL  worked without problems but my download speed was limited at 25 Mbps ( I could see that at the router). When I complained about that TalkTalk told me I should use their router. So I installed it yesterday and connection is currently slightly improved but very unstable.

[AllyM]

So, to be clear, the X50-DSL has a built in modem and you previously had it connected directly to the telephone socket?

and this set-up was working without problems?

If so, then I don't see why you need the TalkTalk router, and I don't understand what you mean that they "insisted" you use it.

Many of us on FTTC  packages use our own third party modem/routers instead of the TalkTalk ones. It does mean that TalkTalk can't access our routers to see/update firmware versions, connected devices etc. but in most cases that is actually a good thing.