WiFi signal extend

[Markthisoneout]

I have been using my SAGECOM Fast 5364-3.T8 router for many years quite successfully but now I need to work from home in my office/shed the wifi signal won't reach and I can't reposition the router from it's current location. Can you help me with some sort of range extender please? Thank you

[KeithFrench]

Your PC has an 802.11ac (WiFi 5) adapter in it, but is only uses the 2.4GHz band. As you have split the network names (SSID) up, why is it not connecting to the 5GHz band?

You cannot configure the Sagemcom as a repeater but it could be used as an extender. However, you should not do that for two reasons:-

1. @Debbie-TalkTalk sent you that router to see if your original router was faulty or not. You are not allowed to keep both of them, you need to return the one you are not using via the free returns bag. Failure to return it will result in you being charged for this. I can't remember the actual charge, but it would be at least £50. If you do not have a returns bag, just request TalkTalk send you one.
2. Although the other router will technically work as an extender, this is not the correct way to extend this router's WiFi coverage. The best option is via the Sagemcom FAST266 WiFi Booster. This turns your router & F266 into a mesh network. If you are interested in this, you could mention it in your reply & I will get TalkTalk to discuss this with you.

[Markthisoneout]

Thanks for looking at my data and again Keith, sorry that I wasted your time looking at the last lot (but I learnt a great deal from the points you made!).

So, I agree that the WiFi reception appears to have improved a little (although I noticed that the 2.4GHz channel has moved from 6 to 11 today) but is only around - 72db to 78db at 15 - 17 metres while the 5 GHz signal (36) is still around -85 to -90 db at the same point so I'm afraid that I still can’t receive any signal at all in my shed which is about 25 metres away. As I mentioned earlier, the telephone socket is at the front of the house so I have no flexibility in terms of the router location.

Is it possible to configure the new router that Debbie sent me as a repeater if I set that up at the back of the house where it would be within 10 metres line-of-sight of my shed? If it is possible perhaps you could send me instructions in how to do that?

[KeithFrench]

That looks a lot better with your printer's SSID disabled. This has made the signal strength of your 2.4GHz band a lot better. What is the performance like now?

[Markthisoneout]

Sorry about the last set of information I sent you Keith - I did as you instructed so hopefully the attached documents are the ones you needed. Thanks for your patience.

[KeithFrench]

However, looking at the information that you have given me, there is a very clear problem with your 2.4GHz band. The router's WiFi signal is obliterated by your HP Direct printer. The WiFi direct facility of the printer is not even needed & should be disabled. Then everything can print via your router. Consult the HP documentation for your printer on how to disable it.

The 5GHz band looks to be OK.

[KeithFrench]

When you took this information for me, you were not connected to any WiFi network at all. I do need to see this with it being in the connected state. Is there any chance you could repeat this for me?

[Markthisoneout]

Dear Keith,

Herewith the zip file which I hope contains all the information you require. The SSIDs I use are ECE24 and ECE5 for the 2.4 and 5GHz channels respectively. My computer is physically located 2 metres from the Router and you will see that my HP WiFi printer is also located  nearby too; the printer SSID is DIRECT-4B-HP ENVY Photo 6200.

Please let me know if I've got it recorded correctly.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Markthisoneout 

Do not worry about interpreting the results, I will do that for you. I will send a PM to you that contains a link for a guide of mine on Wi-Fi interference. It is quite long (about 30 pages), but you will probably only need to look at three or four pages in total. Initially look at the section called "Are you suffering from interference – prove it first". This is the first link in the table of contents. This section includes full details of free Wi-Fi analysers that I recommend for Windows, Windows phone, Android and Apple operating systems. However, I have no way of testing the Apple product. Select the analyser of your choice & my guide explains how to use it.

If you are using Wi-Fi Scanner, then please attach the zip file to this thread. As soon as I have downloaded it, I will remove the attachment from your post, to preserve your privacy.

With all other analysers, please follow my instructions below.

Collect the screenshots that I require and include them in your reply.

Please post the screenshots to me in a PM (to protect your privacy), which I have requested in my guide. No photos please as they can be difficult to read, because the text can get out of focus when zoomed in. Please ensure that the analyser window is maximised (if Windows) before taking the screenshots & upload them via the "Insert Photos" button (in a mobile browser it's the picture icon) on the post editor's toolbar with the Size parameter set to Large.

[Markthisoneout]

Yes please Keith, I'd be most grateful if you would send me a copy of your guide. Thanks

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Markthisoneout 

Do you want a copy of my guide then?

[Markthisoneout]

Thanks Keith for taking up this challenge!! But thanks Debbie too for going as far as you have - really grateful.

Kind Regards

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Thanks @KeithFrench  🙂

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Markthisoneout 

@Debbie-TalkTalk has asked me to help you with the wireless performance. Before thinking about extending, there is every chance that there is a reason for poor signal strength - WiFi interference.

Slow speed, intermittent dropouts, breaks in the signal or no signal on some or all devices or no internet access might be caused by Wi-Fi interference from other local networks, which can also lead to a permanent reduction in speed. No ISP can be responsible for your local environment, this is mainly a byproduct of the popularity of Wi-Fi.

Generally speaking, the 2.4GHz band suffers a lot more from interference than the much faster 5GHz band, but the 2.4GHz one can sometimes have a better range, but this all depends on your local area.

In other words, I try to help you optimise your Wi-Fi connection. The next stage involves sending out a guide to you to help you get me some important diagnostic results so that I can analyse them for you and recommend changes to your router configuration to solve them.

I only send this out to people who request it.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @Markthisoneout 

Apologies for this.

@KeithFrench provides really good advice on improving wireless performance. Could you help please Keith?

[Markthisoneout]

Hi Debbie,

I received the router thanks but after setting it up in exactly the same place the WiFi reception appears to be little different to my existing router. The 2.4GHz reception is around - 80db at 15 - 17 metres and occasionally disappears altogether while the 5 GHz signal is around -85 to -90 db at the same point so I'm afraid that this doesn't fix the basic problem. As the telephone socket is at the front of the house I have no flexibility in terms of the router location.

Is it possible to configure the new router as a repeater if I set it up at the back of the house where it would be within 10 metres line-of-sight of my shed? If it is possible perhaps you could send me instructions in how to do that? If that's not possible, do you want me to return the router to you?

Kind Regards

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

@Markthisoneout 

I've just been advised that the router will ship/dispatch later this evening so you should receive this within the next 48hrs.

[Markthisoneout]

OK Debbie, thanks for the update but I'll not hold my breath!! 🙂

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @Markthisoneout 

Apologies for the delay. There is still an issue with the router being sent, I'm really sorry about this.

I have escalated this again to our warehouse team and I will keep you updated as soon as I have further information.

Thanks

Debbie

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Morning Markthisoneout

Apologies for the delay. We are still waiting for an update from our warehouse team.

We will keep checking this and will post back to confirm once the router shows as dispatched.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Markthisoneout

I'm really sorry about this.

The router has been ordered but is not showing as dispatched as yet. I've escalated this to our warehouse team and I will post back here as soon as I have further information.