Consistent low WiFi speed

wizard · 15 Dec 2022 at 20:53

I am using a FTTP 500 / 70 service. This gives me full speeds over Ethernet connection.

However, over WiFi, it only gives 160 / 70 connection (tried on Samsung phone, Pixel 6, iPad and Apple 12 phone as well). I have tried ISP router (Technicolor), Netgear RBR353 Orbi and Asus RT-AC86U. Same result at various distances from the modem (nearest being 2 meters from the Router.
The only thing I have not tried is a different package from the ISP. ISP backbone provider is Zen I believe. Zen checked the line and said all is fine.

Any thoughts please?

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2022 at 09:31

If you get full speed using a cable but not Wi-Fi, it’s an issue with the Wi-Fi and not the ISP.

Sounds like it might be congestion or poor router placement.

Also if you have lots of IOT devices they can lower the overall throughput of an access point.

wizard · 16 Dec 2022 at 09:37

ChrisD. said:
If you get full speed using a cable but not Wi-Fi, it’s an issue with the Wi-Fi and not the ISP.

Sounds like it might be congestion or poor router placement.

Also if you have lots of IOT devices they can lower the overall throughput of an access point.

Moved the Router around - no change. Also, Virgin Media (previous provider) did not have this issue.

Router can handle 30 devices ( I have around 20). Router not an AP - connected directly to the ONT.

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2022 at 10:38

An ISP router and most replacements are many things - a switch, an AP, and a router/firewall. That's why they generally don't excel at all.

Have you done any channel adjustments? Or scans to see what other SSIDs are broadcasting, and what channels they're using?

wizard · 16 Dec 2022 at 10:45

ChrisD. said:
An ISP router and most replacements are many things - a switch, an AP, and a router/firewall. That's why they generally don't excel at all.

Have you done any channel adjustments? Or scans to see what other SSIDs are broadcasting, and what channels they're using?

Yes. Channels changed as well as attached WiFi devices unable to test. Same low speed result! Bizarre.

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2022 at 10:50

wizard said:
Same result at various distances from the modem (nearest being 2 meters from the Router.

What do you mean by this exactly?

wizard · 16 Dec 2022 at 10:56

ChrisD. said:
What do you mean by this exactly?

Moved the router (on long cable) to room next door. Speed tested with devices (Pixel 6, laptop, iPhone 12 and iPad) at a distance of 2 meters from the router and upstairs

Quartz · 16 Dec 2022 at 11:23

wizard said:
However, over WiFi, it only gives 160 / 70 connection

Try changing the channel on which the wifi operates. There are probably too many other wifi routers nearby on the same channel.

wizard · 16 Dec 2022 at 11:30

Already checked that with WiFi analyzer. No issues seen on 2.4 & 5. Am in spaced out detached property.

Orcvader · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:07

wizard said:
Moved the router (on long cable) to room next door. Speed tested with devices (Pixel 6, laptop, iPhone 12 and iPad) at a distance of 2 meters from the router and upstairs

You want to do the speed test next to the router, not 2m away to get a better idea if the router is throttling WiFi, any distance will have interference affecting it.

You said you had no issues with Virgin but is this with Virgin's Superhub or with the routers you're currently testing with?

Armageus · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:22

wizard said:
Any thoughts please?

Post a screenshot of your router's wifi settings

Turn · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:28

wizard said:
I am using a FTTP 500 / 70 service. This gives me full speeds over Ethernet connection. However, over WiFi, it only gives 160 / 70 connection
I have tried ISP router (Technicolor), Netgear RBR353 Orbi and Asus RT-AC86U. Same result

You're hard limited at 160/70 on WiFi no matter the which AP/Router you use then? Or do the results vary at all depending on the router?
Weird issue since it sounds like you've tried different devices & different routers already, & also plugged straight into ONT

wizard · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:34

Armageus said:
Post a screenshot of your router's wifi settings

Never done before. Not sure how to insert an image here.

wizard · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:36

Turn said:
You're hard limited at 160/70 on WiFi no matter the which AP/Router you use then? Or do the results vary at all depending on the router?
Weird issue since it sounds like you've tried different devices & different routers already, & also plugged straight into ONT

Yes limited to 160/70ish to any of the 3 routers I use (app plugged into ONT). My friend has 500 speed and my phone tests at 450+ at his house. At another place phone gave 130+ on 150 service. So, the phone works (Pixel 6).

Armageus · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:38

wizard said:
Never done before. Not sure how to insert an image here.

upload it to https://imgur.com/ and then copy the link from there (BB Code for forum link if using the desktop webpage)

wizard · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:45

Armageus said:
upload it to https://imgur.com/ and then copy the link from there (BB Code for forum link if using the desktop webpage)

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:46

You shouldn't be using DFS channels.

wizard · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:51

wizard said:

Note: I cannot change the 5Ghz channel. It is "grayed" out

Armageus · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:51

Presumably that is the technicolor?

What about the ASUS - that will have the most options.

Also whilst not the main point - do you actually need 500Mbps to your phone? The main selling point of fatter connections, is to be able to use multiple devices at the same time. If you are allowing every device uncontended access to all the bandwidth, then you are at the whim of the router as to how it deals with traffic shaping.

Quartz · 16 Dec 2022 at 14:59

Let's backtrack a little: EXACTLY which wifi protocols are you using? Which ones does the router support and which ones do your devices support?

From your picture your router supports 802.11ax, but do your devices?