Inconsistent Wireless Connection?

Hello, so I just moved into an apartment complex where the Internet has been barely usable at best. When I first moved in, the average DL speed I got was 1 Mbps and UL speed was .5 Mbps using Speedtest.net.

I then used inSSIDer to check to channels being used in my complex, and it turns out I was on the most occupied one. Switching to a more vacant one, it definitely showed some improvement. Now I can actually hit 10 Mbps DL which is much closer to my cap of 15 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up.

Well it turns out lately the quality of connection has been diminishing. Sometimes it will work okay, other times it either won't connect or drop to 1 Mbps down and 0.2 Mbps up. I checked my channel again, and it's still not too occupied. I also live with 3 other people, but I was told I shouldn't be having too much of a difference in speed. Besides, the most they do is watch/stream videos or music.

Being connected by ethernet cable through the router gives me a consistent DL speed at my cap though. My provider thinks it's a hardware problem with the router so they'll be changing it out soon. Obviously, I could just keep a wired connection, but since the router is in the living room it's not a practical option for me.

I was also advised into purchasing a wireless repeater. I'd be willing to pick one up if people think it would really help as I could see it being a good long-term investment. If there's any other advice people could give about a wireless repeater or any general tips about my situation I'd appreciate it

 

Could you post an insider screenshot? It's possible that there are too many networks not only on your channel but also on overlapping ones and that causes a lot of interference.


As for the fact that the quality of the connection changes - the fact that other routers are there and are on doesn't mean that there's a lot of traffic at all times. So while you will see - let's say - 18 networks active at all times at 3 a. m. hardly any of those will be actually transmitting any data therfore your connection will be faster because there will be far less interference. On a Saturday evening you can expect the opposite...


If that's the case, new router won't help at all and the only option would be buying a dual bad router and moving to 5GHz band where there will be no interference as hardly anyone uses it.
It's also possible that your Wi-Fi card to see at fault so test this with another notebook to rule ot out.

 

My router is the one that is highlighted with the signal bars.I just got a screenshot of all the ones on the same channel. There are a couple more which would take 3-4 more screenshots. I know Channel 9 only has one occupant, but last time I tried to switch to it the channel did even worse than before.


Would a wireless repeater help at all? Because as I said, I feel like that would be something I would use a lot more even after I move out. I wanted to plug it into the outlet in my room and whenever I game or something I can hook my laptop up by ethernet to the repeater. The router was provided to us by the flat. I'm not sure if I would get much future uses out of a new router if I moved complexes later.

 

You need to move to the 5 GHz band. There's too much congestion on the 2.4 GHz band and from what I see, channel 11 is your best bet. No amount of range extender, repeater, etc would help you in this case.

Like downloads wrote, go and purchase a simultaneous dual band router (N 600 router or higher) and also if your Wi-Fi adapter that came with the laptop doesn't have 5 GHz band capability, you can either upgrade it to a dual band mini pcie Wi-Fi adapter such as Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205, Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260 or Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260. If you don't want to replace your internal Wi-Fi adapter, you can purchase a N 600 USB Wi-Fi adapter and attach it to your laptop's USB port. You then get the ability to connect to the 5 GHz band where very few people use it and you won't experience speed drops as much as the 2.4 GHz band.

 

I think my adapter does support 5 Ghz, but can someone confirm? It's the Ralink RT5390R 802.11b/g/n 1x1.

Another potential issue is I don't know if my flatmates have laptops that support 5 Ghz. Two of them have pretty outdated laptops. I'm not sure if it's advisable to have two routers running because I don't know if it will severely affect our bandwidth; I don't want to do that to my flatmates.

I do want a stable connection though. As I said, hooking up by ethernet makes it work great. But I want to be able to use it in my room and I don't think my flatmates would appreciate it if I ran a long ethernet all the way from the living room to my room. Aren't there any other alternatives?

 

Unfortunately, Ralink RT5390R 802.11b/g/n can only use the 2.4 GHz. Even if you buy a dual band router, you won't be able to use its 5 GHz broadcast band unless you have an adapter that can receive signals at 5 GHz.

BTW, you don't need to run 2 routers. If you buy a simultaneous (that's the keyword) dual band router (also known as N600 router), the router will broadcast both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz at the same time. Your old laptops will connect to the 2.4 GHz and will experience the same inconsistent connection due to interference with other routers, etc. However, if you buy a dual band USB Wi-Fi adapter, your laptop will be able to connect to the 5 GHz band. If you don't like devices sticking out of the laptop, you can replace your Ralink with the Intel Wi-Fi adapters that I mentioned previously.

A Wi-Fi extender won't be of any help since the signal is being transmitted at 2.4 GHz frequency where there a lot of signals that can cause interference between your router and extender. That's why only 5 GHz is the best bet for consistent Wi-Fi connection.

 

I'm in a high rise apartment complex on the 20th floor in a building that's centrally wired.I presently have an Intel AC-7260 installed that's paired with a Netgear R6300 router.No modem,the access is straight out of the wall jack.

The RT5390 is a cost-effective PCIE Wi-Fi card.

It's a single antenna card that only supports up to 150 Mbps data rate that complies with 802.11b/g/n specifications,

IMO,the minimum you should have in your notebook is a dual band 300Mbps(2x2) wireless card paired with a capable 300Mbps simultanious dual band router or higher.

Notebook makers put these low end cards in their notebooks to keep the stock advertized price competitive with other notebooks in it's class.

If you need Bluetooth I'd suggest upgrading to an Intel AC-7260 or Killer 1202 wireless card and pairing it with a 300Mbps,450Mbps dual band N router or newer 1750 AC router.

Usually the best connectivity is when then notebook and router have no floors or walls in between.

The router should be set to WPA2 AES and not TKIP or you will not get N speeds.Most likely it will be 54Mbps or lower if set to TKIP.

 

Geez, the investment to fix this problem sounds like a lot. So with this solution I'd have to buy:

- A 5 Ghz band USB adapter since the Ralink RT5390R doesn't support it.
- A dual-band (N600) router.

I would feel a little better about spending this if I didn't think there was a possibility of it being a one-off investment. I just need it for school to make using the Internet a little more comfortable. It's frustrating using the arguably 10x faster Internet on campus or at home while my apartment only achieves stable, favorable speeds by ethernet.

Is there nothing else I can do?

 

An alternative is to have a powerline setup. I have very limited knowledge with this type of networking, but from what I understand, it's like using your electrical wirings as a means of transferring data within the network. You can read more about this here: Set up powerline networking adaptors - PC Advisor

I do hope that a powerline user can provide tips for you if it's viable to setup powerline in your location.

 

In my opinion channel 7 is the best one available although word "best" is used liberally here.
Wireless repeater is not needed as signal strength is good.


Powerline adapter is indeed a possible alternative and would be cheaper than a new router and a Wi-Fi card.

Your Wi-Fi card seems to be crazy BTW so if you are to invest some money - buy a new card first and it may solve your problem altogether. Something like Intel 6200 is cheap and reliable and supports 5GHz band as well as 2.4GHz.

 

The powerline adapter is exactly the type of thing I'm looking for because:
- If I move apartments and am provided complimentary Internet, sometimes you have to use their provided equipment.
- Going off the first point, the powerline adapter is something I will continuously use in the long-run.
- Cheaper, as mentioned
- Multiple outlets in my current apartment meaning I can connect from my bed or my desk
- No running wires around the flat like a madman
- Kind of going to sound like a bandwidth hog, but this will allow me to get a stable connection over my flatmates.

Again, getting a new router for me sounds like it has less potential for future benefits - especially considering N600s are around $60~. On top of that, I have to get a new WiFi card, and I'm paranoid about taking things apart on my laptop.

Are there any real downsides to the powerline adapter solution? Does anyone have any other information about it?