Eero WiFi

[spaarks11]

I am on 150Mbps full fibre with VoIP. Using an Eero 6 router.

Sometimes I am getting the full 150Mpbs, but the other half of the time it is down to 40-50Mbps.

The line speed (at my ONT) is steady at 150Mbps.

I have spent hours on chat with tech support, but the problem is unresolved.

I notice that the eero does not seem to auto select a quiet frequency. There is only one strong interfering signal (from my next door neighbour), which is on Ch1 and Ch36. My Eero sits right on top of these channels!  Not always on 2.4GHz, as the interfering signal is frequency-agile and often moves away from my eero.

There are a few signals on 2.4Ghz but apart from one they are low amplitude.

5Ghz is almost empty apart from the next door signal.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

[spaarks11]

The Gateway Eero has been on Ch106 for the past couple of weeks, and my mobiles are connecing on 5GHz - though I now have extender Eeros in three rooms. I guess we can close this topic now.

Many thanks for your help Keith and Debbie.

[spaarks11]

I understand what you said about sharing channels.

Sorry for any confusion with another topic (Eero 6Pro Reset). I used the words "possibly caused by the ongoing network issue" in a moment of brain-fade!   Please disregard. I have had the Eero 6Pro beacon turned off the whole time whilst investigating the Eero WiFi issues.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @spaarks11 

I explained before, that is how any router/AP/Mesh unit works in the 5GHz band.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @spaarks11 

I have posted on your other topic in regards to sending a replacement eero.

[spaarks11]

Sadly this afternoon the Eero went back to Ch42.

[spaarks11]

Yesterday afternoon the Eero 5Ghz moved from Ch42 to Ch140, and has stayed there since.  I've never seen it, or the previous Eero, on anything but Ch42.

My mobile stayed on 5GHz, even in the low signal zone. Previously it had switched to 2.4GHz in low signal zone.

I will keep an eye on it.

[KeithFrench]

The important thing is a 20dB headroom between yours & other networks. 

I'll have to have a look at that analyser.

[spaarks11]

Thank you kindly..... I must be asking the right questions!

I understand about the 'hidden' channels.

We don't know what signal strength difference criteria the Eero uses to determine when to move channel, but I take your word for it. I find signals down to -85dBm are useable - provided there is no interference.

But it seems Auto Selection depends on more than just signal strength, but also data load, number of APs, microwave ovens etc.

Meanwhile I will keep an eye on my connection over the next couple of days - maybe it will settle down if I leave it alone!

I am using Wi-Fi Analyser by VREM, you can select scan intervals from 1 to 30 secs.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @spaarks11 

I am very impressed with your last post, along with your response in post #25. 

My post #21 should explain how different routers/APs or mesh nodes can share the same 5GHz channel without a problem. The signal strength of the Sky network is too low to cause any problems. The Hidden one is going to be the backhaul for the eero mesh network that allows multiple eeros to work together. Even with just the one eero, it broadcasts this out, trying to see if there is another eero that has been added to your network. That is looking like once about every 90 seconds, according to your configuration of this axis.

Out of interest, how did you configure the x-axis scan count, do you have the pro version? If this is the one I recommend - Wi-Fi Analyser by olgor.com, I can't see any way of doing this in the free version.

[spaarks11]

Thanks.

The drop in signal you mention is because I moved my mobile to another location.

Yes the Eero is stable. But there is another router on the same channel the same channel. According the Eero website the Eero router is supposed to select the clearest channel. My guess is that my mobile sees that there is an interfering signal and switches to 2.4GHz. Alternatively, as you point out, the Eero can also do this by bandsteering

But all this could probably be avoided if the Eero were to move to a clear 5GHz channel.

Most of my small flat is one thin block wall away from the router and the 5GHz signal is quite strong.

The x-axis Scan Count I have set to 30 seconds per count, so the width of the graph is 30x20 = 600 secs.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @spaarks11 

Despite what I said, I have found five minutes for a quick look at the screenshots that you sent me. There is nothing wrong with the eero's WiFi on either band, with a stable signal around -40 to -50dBm. However, your 5GHz band screenshot does show that the signal is beginning to drop, particularly close to scan count 68 to 70. Perhaps if the graph was let to run for a bit longer, it might show the signal dropping off more & then coming back. However, without a longer run, I can only guess at that. This graph in most analysers uses time on the x-axis, not a scan count.

Which Wi-Fi band is used by a device upon connection is totally down to that device to decide which band offers the best signal and therefore, which band it will connect to. If the eero subsequently detects a device that is connected to the 2.4GHz band and is also capable of operating in the 5GHz band, it may then try & move it to the 5GHz band. This is called Bandsteering.

If you want to try another set of screenshots, running for a longer time period, I will look at them for you.

[spaarks11]

No problem.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @spaarks11 

Thanks for the screenshots that you sent me in a PM. I will have a look at these, but it may not be until tomorrow, as I am very busy.

[KeithFrench]

I have not received either of these. I am about to send you another PM.

[spaarks11]

I am PMing you a 2.4GHZ graph of a switch from Ch6 to Ch42.

Doubt if it is useful as I had to force my mobile onto Ch6 by taking it to a low signal location, then return to near the Eero.

[spaarks11]

I have PMd you the 5GHz graph where my mobile switched from ch6 to ch42.

Now waiting see if I can catch a switch on 2.4GHz.

[KeithFrench]

The trouble is @spaarks11; it could be either band. However, assuming that the phone is normally connected to the 5GHz band, it is most important to see that band's signal strength/time graph. If it does last long enough, then both would be better.

[spaarks11]

I will try, though cannot predict when its going to happen. I will PM.

Which band? My analyser can only time-graph on one band at a time.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @spaarks11 

I particularly need to see the signal strengh/time grapgh running for about a 10-minute period whilst your phone is swapping bands, before you take the screenshot. Can you please PM them to me to preserve your privacy? I will delete your other screenshot in a minute.

[spaarks11]

I'm not looking for a full technical explanation, just a broad outline.

The Eero website says:

The eero system is constantly optimizing to maximize performance. There are 3 different time scales in which your system optimizes:

• Short Term - Your mesh takes between fifteen seconds and a minute to figure out the best path for data to travel through your network when any new request is made.
• Medium Term - The system takes about an hour to learn what kind of interference you have around your home, and learn to tune it out as best it can.
• Long Term - It takes between two days and a week to select the best channels for your network. This is very disruptive to your network so we try not to do it too often.

Any time the system reboots, these optimizations restart. So it is best to avoid reboots as much as possible.

Also it says:   DFS is automatically enabled on eero networks running eeroOS v3.19 and higher. Your network will check channel conditions regularly and shift to the least congested channel when necessary.

As for the mobile/s. It seems they are doing their job. When they see a 5GHz channel with interference they switch to 2.4GHz.