Wimpy Wifi

[cypressmark]

Can WiFi performance of a router detiorate over time?

Wifi on our router is working, but it doesn't seem to have the reach it used to. In the same room as the router, it's a fast connection, close to the speed for the broadband to the router. In the lounge, sat on the sofa, my laptop barely connects, though it used to be good at the same location. 

Speed tests show that uploading is still at close to max speed, so it's receiving signals from that location OK.

I've checked that there are no obvious obstructions around the router, and we have not constructed any Faraday cages lately.

Suggestions welcome!

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Mark

I'm so glad to hear this. If you do experience any further issues then please let us know.

Thanks

Debbie

[cypressmark]

Hi Debbie - I don't know if the screenshot is legible, but it says 37 Mbps, so whatever you tweaked seems to have had some effect, thank you!

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Mark

Could you try running another test using My Connection please?

Thanks

[ferguson]

Yeah, hold off for now as Debbie suggested. What is your guaranteed minimum speed? That is determined by line sync which appears to be 38.3Mbps. Can you not see that on the router interface itself?

[cypressmark]

Hi Ferguson,

TalkTalk's own speed test says it's 30 Mbps to the Router (rather than the device). I could plug a device in via Ethernet and see what I get, but at the moment I have been asked to hold off on more testing, so I won't poke it right now - maybe at the weekend.

And I agree that 30 Mbps is not causing me particular issues, but again Talktalk's own testing routines are labeling it 'poor' and that I am not getting my guaranteed speed, so it seems reasonable to query. Or to see if there is a cheaper Fibre 35 package, if that's the speeds it supports!

Thanks,

Mark

[cypressmark]

Hi Debbie - Router was powered down last night, and back on around 6:45 this morning (27 March). I will try and refrain from pressing any more buttons or speed tests until you tell me!

Thanks,

Mark

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Mark

Please can you power down the router for a full 30 minutes and then leave the router switched on (without running any tests on My Connection) until Thursday afternoon.

[ferguson]

If the line is in sync at around 38Mbps as Debbie says then a throughput speed of 30 or so is not too bad on a wireless connection to be honest. Do you have any devices you can check with a wired ethernet connection to the router to see how that compares? 

[cypressmark]

Hi Debbie - it's been showing on TalkTalk speed tests as around 30 Mbs for a while now. It's not causing me a problem, but all the TallkTalk checkers tell me it shpuld be faster than that.

Having run a connection test, the Track my Fault section says "We can see that you're not getting the speeds we'd expect. To help resolve this, you'll need to complete some in home diagnostics tests." It lists reference REP-14137939.

If there's anything specific I need tio check, please let me know.

Thanks,

Mark

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Mark

Thanks for your reply.

The line is in sync at 38.3mb.

What speeds were you previously receiving?

[cypressmark]

Hi - typically speed to the router seems to be around 30 Mbps - in the image posted above it's 31 Mbps, and is listed as 'poor'. 

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Mark

I'm so glad to hear that the wireless has improved, thanks for letting us know.

Yes please can you return the old router using the pre paid returns bag.

I can look at the speeds for you here. What speed are you receiving on the speed tests?

[cypressmark]

Hi,

Router received on Saturday, and we have been trying it out.

WiFi seems to be much improved in this corner of the house, so that issue seems to be solved, thank you.

I assume we should pack up the old router and use the returns label to send it back?

Seperately, the Talktalk speed test suggests we are getting less than guaranteed speeds to our router (both the old one and the new one) - should that be a new thread?

Thanks for your help,

Mark

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Mark

Have you received the router?

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi Mark

The router is on its way, please allow 24-48hrs for this to arrive.

Let us know how the connection compares with this router.

Thanks

Debbie

[cypressmark]

Hi Michelle,

Please can we have a replacement router to test?

Thanks,

Mark

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for trying this. I've run a test on the line now which hasn't detected a fault and the sync speed looks consistent. Do you have an alternative router that you can test with? If not then please let us know and we can send a replacement router for testing purposes to rule this out.

Thanks

Michelle

[cypressmark]

Hi Michelle,

Router was off overnight to reset.

On testing this evening, speed to my device is 2 Mbps, upload is 5 Mbps.

So, no noticeable change.

Thanks,

Mark

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Hi cypressmark,

How are you getting on?

Thanks

Michelle

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Good morning,

Have you tried powering down the router for a full 30 minutes and then retested the connection again as this will reset the current session and can often increase the throughput speeds and overall performance of the connection?

Thanks

Michelle