Chinned off that POS Sky Q router, why didn't I do it sooner.

[TonyTurbo78]

Since we had SkyQ installed over a year ago, we've had nothing but issues on our Wireless devices connected all around the house. Even being in the same room as router our ipads and phones whilst showing 3 and 4 strength of signal, refused to load internet pages, play YouTube videos or watch Netflix. Like I said, the connection seemed ok but for whatever reason the internet just stops working on the devices. I've either got to reboot the router or reboot the device.

I had been on to Sky half a dozen times over the last year asking them to diagnose, replace the router etc, every time they just tell me they couldn't see any issue from their end. They also amazingly admit the Wi-Fi on the router is terrible and are due to update with software fixes which were due to be rolled out Jan '19. And also are backward engineering the excellent Bt Homehub 6 for release at some point, so i've been waiting patiently......until today.

Sky have also just upgraded their lines around here so I got a free upgrade from 40/10 to 80/20. I was told I'd be getting up to 76mb on my line but was only getting 45mb after the upgrade, a small improvement from 36mb previously. Today i completely lost the plot with it, threw a childish paddy and stormed down to Currys to buy a bloody router as the wireless issues got me so wound up. Went with a TP-Link AC1200 (Vr400) as it seemed to work good with VDSL for the price. Set it all up via connection to laptop with about 15 minutes of messing around in the router setup page trying to get it setup to the SkyQ tv box. I've now got perfect wireless connectivity on 2 ipads, ps4, xbox, 2 phones, 2 PC's upstairs and an Alexa. No weird non connection issues so far all day, no buffering, freezing or hassles. And my speed now coming down through the new router is 67mb.

The SkyQ router is now in the bin outside the house, awaiting the bin men on Wednesday morning. Its no wonder Sky frown upon you using your own router, it shows them up for how bad their own hardware is.

 

[TonyTurbo78]

The Sky Q Hub that potentially belongs to Sky and is subject to a £30 non-return charge at the end of the contract?

Thought about this as I posted last night, took it out of the bin this morning before work and slung it in the cupboard just in case.

In all the years I've had Sky in previous homes though, all the old equipment has never been requested by Sky to be returned. Old Routers and Sky boxes have always piled up in lofts after upgrades, replacememts so id probably be fine chucking it out but just on the safe have stored it.

Don't upset him by pointing out the obvious flaws in his hate/pointless landfill/logic, the man's been to PCW and paid retail for something, surely he's suffered enough

Haha I know right. I felt filthy doing so, I had reached breaking point and was willing to do anything for a fast fix They had one for £59 though, even a tenner cheaper than I found online through the obvious sources.

 

[TonyTurbo78]

@TonyTurbo78 over a year ago I brought the exact same router you did to replace my Sky Q hub but never got round to it, fear of the unknown, clueless to what to do, and at the time my on connection issues were not a problem. The WiFi problems have gotten progressively worse, much to how you described your own issues. Now you are close to 1 month in to the switch over how are things going?

Any tips/advice you can offer on how I can get setup?

It's honestly been absolutely magnificent. No drop outs, the Wi-Fi range covers the whole house easily (I do have a tplink booster up stairs also but isn't required to be honest) the setup was an absolute doddle, no issues with any of my SkyQ TV. Also, the speed is about 9mb faster than I was getting on the Sky Router. I'm on a 80/20 line, getting 68mb down, previously was about 58mb or 59mb on Sky router when it worked. I've not had to reboot or restart Tplink Router once.

I've connected 7 devices to the Router, no issues or buffering anywhere, no traffic issues at all.

A note. I'm running a Ethernet cable from router to SkyQ box so not sure how good WiFi works on the SkyQ box for the tv and apps, multi room boxes etc.

This might help also, but it is an absolute doddle to setup. https://kevq.uk/how-to-use-a-tp-link-router-with-sky-fibre-optic/

 

[TonyTurbo78]

Thanks that's great information, I shall be tackling my setup tonight.

I have a TP link electrical wiring setup to effectively hard wire my main SkyQ box in so it shouldn't be working on the WiFi after the switch over either which should help.

How did you get on?

 

[TonyTurbo78]

It was stupidly easy. Now just got to play the waiting game to see if it has made a difference. Speed test support a step up from 20ish to 30ish which is a nice step. Also no apparent connection issues. My wifes phone did drop off the 5ghz WIFI in the bedroom but put her on the 2.4 one, hopefully the router smart switches her to the 5ghz one whenever its available.

Need to really test this evening as sitting in the kitchen used to produce regular drop outs so will give that a prolonged test.

Sky Q box, Mini Q box, and smart TV all hardwired in through TP link powerline adaptors that I already had, and ive completely switched off the Sky Q wifi modes.

Good stuff.

 

[TonyTurbo78]

I didn't make them match, named them both separate. You could always disable the 2.4ghz channel in the router settings also.