Sagemcom 5363 router - devices disconnecting/using slow WiFi channels - firmware upgrade?

[SimonSimon82]

Hi,

I have the Sagemcom 5363 router, and the current software is 174 - is there a later version please? Asking because for many months now, my connection keeps disconnecting my devices randomly when using them (noticing when using laptops, and streaming on Sky boxes also buffering lots at times), and also have to constantly spend time changing wifi channels (hops between 2 and 5ghz) to find one with a decent connection speed, for it only to hop to other channels automatically (and repeat).

Wondered if the firmware needs updating, or if this could be something else please? Could my router be faulty?

Thank you, Simon.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

No problem 🙂 Please let us know how you get on.

Thanks

Michelle

[SimonSimon82]

Hi Michelle,

The extender/booster was only setup yesterday, so I’d like to give it a week to see how it performs/if it rectifies the issue if that’s ok please?

Thank you,

Simon.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Hi Simon,

How are you getting on?

Thanks

Michelle

[KeithFrench]

Hi @SimonSimon82 

I know that the setup guide provided with the 266 is wrong, which was one of my reasons for the sticky.

WPS has always been an option in both the 5364 & 5464 routers. For the 2.4GHz band, go to:-

Dashboard > See Wi-Fi Settings > Manage Advanced Settings > Wi-Fi 2.4Ghz gear icon > Basic

and for the 5GHz band:-

Dashboard > See Wi-Fi Settings > Manage Advanced Settings > Wi-Fi 5Ghz gear icon > WPS

[SimonSimon82]

Hi @KeithFrench ,

I have followed the path suggested below in the router settings, but WPS isn’t an option anywhere - can you advise if elsewhere please? Maybe I have an old router settings UI too?

Thank you, Simon.

Note: the Wi-Fi Booster set-up guide provided with this unit is wrong. The correct procedure is shown below:-

1. Log into the router’s UI & make sure that WPS is enabled on both the 2.4 & 5GHz Wi-Fi bands. Only the 2.4GHz is shown below, repeat for the 5GHz band:-

Dashboard > See Wi-Fi Settings > Manage Advanced Settings > Wi-Fi 2.4Ghz gear icon> WPS

[KeithFrench]

Hi @SimonSimon82 

There is no need for a reset normally. Just make sure that WPS is enabled on both WiFi bands in the router before you start.

[SimonSimon82]

Hi @KeithFrench,

I have now received my booster (thank you Debbie). But before I set this up, can I just check that I don’t have to do anything before turning on/setting up (as my router is running on firmware version 206)?

Your sticky note advises on a router reset (either pinhole or via UI), but wanted to check that I didn’t need to do this as firmware version already updated?

If I still have to do the reset of the router, what will this actually reset, and would I need to reconnect all my devices to the router afterwards too?

If you could let me know that would be great.

Thank you, Simon.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @SimonSimon82 

Which WiFi band your devices connect to is solely the choice of the WiFi adapter, not the router or strickly speaking the AP (the wireless side of the router). Therefore as the AP is not involved in this decision-making process, there are no options in the router that can do what you want.

Some Wi-Fi adapters, when used in a Windows PC, have an option to prefer one band over another, so this could be set to prefer 5G. However, the critical word here is "prefer", this is not a "5G only" option. There may also be a wireless mode option that you could experiment with. Both of these settings are down to the adapter's drivers, as to how much control you have of the WiFi card's hardware properties.

I am hoping that with careful placement of the router & 266, the signal strength of both the 2.4 & 5GHz bands will be improved and make the 2.4GHz band much more useable. Currently your strength in this band is lower than other networks on the same channel, which should now get reversed to some degree with the addition of the 266.

[SimonSimon82]

Thank you Keith and Debbie, much appreciated.

@KeithFrench - as you have advised that my 2.4 channels are not working as they should, wondering if there was any way that I can force a/all devices to only use the 5ghz channels (bearing in mind some of my devices can only use the 2.4 channels, I.e Sky TV etc)?

Is this possible somehow please, or will the extender/booster help with this?

Thank you,

Simon.

[KeithFrench]

Thanks @Debbie-TalkTalk 

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Thanks @KeithFrench 

Hi @SimonSimon82 

I've ordered the WIFI booster/extender, please allow 48hrs for this to arrive.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks again.

Debbie

[SimonSimon82]

Thanks Keith,

In that case, I will stick with suggestion of the 266 being supplied, and look forward to hearing from @Debbie-TalkTalk on this.

Thanks again,

Simon.

[KeithFrench]

The eero 6 does not work with your current router. All eeros require another eero to create a mesh network with. Although TalkTalk's FF150 provides one eero 6, in most homes and almost certainly yours, one would never be enough. You would have to purchase an additional eero 6 yourself. They are physically smaller than both your router and the 266. Just look on Amazon's website for more information, they are after all an Amazon product. Personally, I prefer an eero 6 mesh over the 5364/266, as it is all WiFi 6 & has the latest WiFi security mode - WPA3 (for compatible devices - which I think your PC should be).

However, unless you are going to upgrade to FF150, then you do not qualify for any eero product from TalkTalk.

The dimensions of a 266 are 110mm x 57mm x 142mm (WxDxH).

[SimonSimon82]

Thank you for this,

As a comparison, does the eero 6 work in the same way as the 266 would do, and also would this not work with my router please? Does the eero 6 also have x2 Ethernet connections?

I would just like the smallest bit compatible solution to this before Debbie can progress with supply.

Thank you for your advice and help.

Simon.

[KeithFrench]

Although this is a Negear site, it does explain WiFi mesh systems in general, they are the latest way to propagate WiFi around a property or office building etc:-

https://www.netgear.com/uk/hub/technology/what-is-mesh-wifi/ 

The F266 is the only unit that will work with your current router and is quite a bit smaller than your router. There is another mesh solution provided by TalkTalk, the eero 6, but that is only available on the Full Fibre 150 package.

The 266 should ideally be sited about halfway between the router & any dead zones or areas of poor reception. In its most basic requirement, it connects to the router over WiFi & just requires a power outlet. It does also have two Ethernet ports on it to allow wired devices to be attached if required.

The router & 266 all share the same single SSID & password and devices should connect to the closest one & roam if a mobile device between the two.

[SimonSimon82]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your recommendation of a WiFi-booster/extender, and I look forward to hearing from Debbie on how this can be provided (assuming no additional charge or cost to me).

I don’t know much about extenders/boosters or what a mesh network is, but have a couple of questions initially if I may:

- Is this a unit that would connect wirelessly to my existing router, and can be placed anywhere in the house (and does it just need a power source)? Or does it need to be connected and sit with the router?

- As I don’t ideally want to have an additional large/bulky device to have to find a place for, is this model the best option/smallest possible size/ease to setup etc please?

- After installed, would all my devices connect to this extender under a new SSID, or do they continue to use the SSID of the router that they are using now please?

Thank you again, and look forward to hearing from Debbie also.

Simon.

[KeithFrench]

Thank you @SimonSimon82 

@Debbie-TalkTalk I have analysed the results of this network. Currently, the 2.4GHz band is suffering from a lot of WiFi interference & with just the 5364, it is probably unusable a lot of the time. The 5GHz band signal strength is probably just about OK, but is using channel 52. As this is a DFS channel, WiFi optimisation will try & move this to 36 - 48. DFS channels can also suffer from unexpected breaks if radar is detected in that vicinity.

I think this customer might benefit from the Sagemcom F266 WiFi booster to create a mesh network with his 5364. It will also give him the advantage of WiFi 6 from the 266 as well. Once installed, I would suggest the 5GHz channel is set to 36 to 48, to eliminate any DFS disruptions.

@SimonSimon82 

Please see my sticky about the router firmware & the version 2 F266, before initially turning it on:-

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Fibre/Very-Important-V2-Sagemcom-FAST266-Wi-Fi-Booster/m-p/30582... 

[SimonSimon82]

Thanks Keith,

It’s approx 1 metre off the floor within the next room (hallway), plugged directly into the BT master socket. There is a radiator nearby, but no other electrical equipment or glass/water tanks etc.

Please advise next step, thank you.

Simon.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @SimonSimon82 

Sorry for the technical information, but there is no other way to answer your question about DFS channels.

Before I make my recommendations I still need to know more about the router location, whilst it might seem obvious to you. I have no idea what is around it & location can cause/fix a lot of WiFi issues. So please can you tell me roughly how high is it off the floor? What electronic equipment is near it? Although it is difficult to predict the exact direction WiFi signals will propagate, are there any large metal objects, glass or water (tanks) that they might have to go through to reach your PC?

[SimonSimon82]

Hi,

There’s a lot of technical info in your reply, but all I can say is that the router is in a sensible location, not hidden away, and plugged directly into the master BT socket, and only within the next room a short distance away.

Do the results indicate an issue in that case, and what’s the next step or action that could improve the wifi from disconnecting, or for it to decide to randomly use channels that don’t work/disconnect me from basic things like being on an MS Teams call, or streaming on services like Netflix/Prime/Disney etc? I don’t think this is asking too much and is ‘normal’ use in my view.

if you could advise on next step please.

thank you, Simon.