Very Slow Internet Connection

almoststew1990 · 29 Jan 2021 at 08:26

I've been messing around with a project PC over the last couple of days and it's had a slow connection whilst my main PC has not.

I've been getting up to 3MB/s download speeds on this project PC but usually it hovers around the 1MB/s mark whilst my main PC is getting 10 - 14MB/s. Normally my project PC gets that sort of speed too.

What caused it was reinstalling Windows on the project PC but used the same network adapter in the same location using the same drivers as before when it was getting 14MB/s.

If I open the wireless adapter properties, the connection speed varies from 12MB/s to 54MB/s (this doesn't seem to affect download speed). viewing the router software in my browser suggests 54MB/s using the 5GHz...channel? Signal strength is 4 or 5 bars.

However the in the adapter properties for IPv6 Connectivity it says "No Internet Connection". Could this be what is causing problems? How do I get that connection again?

This is on a Virgin Hub 3.0 and using an ASUS USB AC-51.

DoneADougalOnSofa · 29 Jan 2021 at 08:33

I don't think Virgin have got round to ipv6 yet, I doubt that setting is incorrect.

As it's a new install, is Windows downloading updates in the background?

Armageus · 29 Jan 2021 at 08:40

As above IPv6 shouldn't matter.

What will matter is the confusion between MB/s and Mbps.
Download speeds are quoted in MB (Megabytes), connection speeds in Mb (Megabits). To get a MB you divide the Mb figure by 8.

A 54Mbps Wireless connection can therefore download at BEST at around 6.75MB/s, a 12Mbps connection at around 1.5MB/s.
(There can also be some overhead etc, so they are maximum theoretical rates - likely you would get lower)

It sounds like your AC-51 isn't connecting using the correct standard, as 54Mbps which is the speed early "N" devices achieved. You'd need to check you have the correct driver, are connecting to the correct SSID (if you have separate 2.4Ghz/5Ghz SSIDs), and in some cases using the correct security (normally WPA2), as using older security can in some cases force the connection to lower speeds.

almoststew1990 · 29 Jan 2021 at 08:40

Nah, no updates downloading.

I've tried switching between 2.4 and 5GHz (on the adapter) and that hasn't changed anything. I'll reset to default on the router to see if that does anything

almoststew1990 · 29 Jan 2021 at 08:50

Armageus said:
As above IPv6 shouldn't matter.

What will matter is the confusion between MB/s and Mbps.
Download speeds are quoted in MB (Megabytes), connection speeds in Mb (Megabits). To get a MB you divide the Mb figure by 8.

A 54Mbps Wireless connection can therefore download at BEST at around 6MB/s, a 12Mbps connection at around 1.5MB/s.

It sounds like your AC-51 isn't connecting using the correct standard, as 54Mbps which is the speed early "N" devices achieved. You'd need to check you have the correct driver, are connecting to the correct SSID (if you have separate 2.4Ghz/5Ghz SSIDs), and in some cases using the correct security (normally WPA2), as using older security can in some cases force the connection to lower speeds.

OK thanks. Not sure if it has separate SSIDs but I've forced it to 5GHz in the windows adapter settings and it hasn't changed the connection or download speed. It's using the correct WPA2 security too. My router is "outputting" a 802.11a/n/ac mixed signal. I can force it to use just AC?

Caged · 29 Jan 2021 at 11:28

Your Asus Wi-Fi card is a single stream device with a tiny antenna. Do you have a USB extension cable available that can get it up higher? Where is it positioned in relation to your router - does the signal have to pass through a metal case to get to it?