Wireless Access Point keeps changing my internet speed

[Doubtful Enthusiast]

Hi. I've skimmed through Hyburnate's Home Networking FAQ and solved a key problem with internet speed. My new router is in a corner of the house so I managed to reconfigure the old router as a WAP, and located it nearer to my work PC set-up. I seem to recall following some instructions on giving it a fixed IP address, but my PC now finds the old router and I have a fairly steady connection. My question is that when I check fast.com, it seems as though the speed varies on an almost daily basis. Yesterday, I was achieving 60 Mbps, but today I'm getting 240 Mbps. My new Voneus fibre deal delivers a max of 250. Earlier on I snaked a new Cat 6 cable directly from the new router upstairs and into the PC and it gets the full 250 - very happy! But on WiFi with the remapped old router, it seems to vary with a low of about 35 to a max of 240 Mbps. I think my long term solution is a new, long Cat 6 cable taped against the skirting, running all the way round the rooms and the stairs up to my office, and plug in directly. But I'm intrigued by the WiFi variability. If I can 'fix' it to the 240 I've got today, I'd be very happy with that. Always grateful for patient, low-acronym advice! Thanks

 

[Avalon]

Check the PC/other devices aren’t using the connection at the time, eg backup/sync, torrenting etc. as that will reduce the available bandwidth, the AP is on non overlapping channels and ideally not clashing with other wireless networks, it may have a survey option or do this automatically, it may not, or it may not do it well. As always, cable is king, make sure things like the AP have a wired connection back to the router.

 

[Doubtful Enthusiast]

Thank you - that's really helpful. So, yes, the old router/AP has a wired cable back to the new router. My understanding of the difference between 'channels' and IP addresses is very weak. I thought I'd set the IP address of the old router/AP manually. It's a PlusNet Hub 2 so I don't know anything about the overlapping channels whatnot, but I could log in and have a look. As regards local conflicting usage, I'm a very light user - no major peripherals such as the ones you mention - just a couple of smart TVs, no gaming or any such. This morning fast.com shows another 240 Mbps - I think I'll monitor it during the day to make sure, as you say, that local fluctuations aren't interfering. 'Cable is King' - (knew you would say that!) and a Cat 6 cable would have to go round the houses and follow the woodwork (skirting, architraves, etc) but can you get clips for the new flat cable, or is tape a better look?