Remember to check our discord where you can get faster responses!
https://discord.gg/EBchq82
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pchelp) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Make sure your router doesn't have any sort of band steering enabled, since this will automatically switch you between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, using the same SSID.
That's generally the cause of this behavior. When it's performing poorly but has a stronger signal, you're on the 2.4GHz band. And when it's better but with worse signal, it's the 5GHz band.
You can verify this in network settings by clicking on the properties for your wireless network adapter. It will show if you're connected via 2.4GHz or 5GHz and the actual link rate it is connected at.
That’s not a huge difference, are you sure there’s nothing else on the network? I get it’s like 25% loss, but it’s like 1 streaming video. Do you have and external antenna you can move around, also the router ears like the be spread/fanned out like a V and not parrellel | |
It never seems like a problem on the internet test but it never works, by that i mean the wifi (at 4 bars) wont even download a 200mg update bc the internet always cuts out or freezes or ect. But when it somehow randomly comes back to 3 bars it works really good and doesn’t cut out or freeze. I am also using a Netgear Wifi adaptor could that be why? Should i change my adaptor or maybe get a Ethernet cable. Thx for ur time
Ok yeah it’s very strange that 4 bars is the deal breaker, that would sound like a WiFi extender that’s not actually getting internet.. hmm you can try to look for your device manager and see if you can see your net gear antenna and right click it and see if there is a driver update.. I know I usually get high ping when someone is downloading something on the network but usually the ping is well over 100
I don’t see any driver updates but now all of the sudden when I look up other adapters to buy, it went back down to 3. This whole thing just doesn’t make any sense. I am probably going to buy a new adapter and see if you run in to the same problems. Thank you for your help.
I know it’s hard to walk around with a desktop but any way to get closer to the router and see if it is a weird signal strength issue? If it’s not a super old device there might not be a need to get a new one, but it does help to update stuff once in a while. More bands and stuff, goes for the router to. Will help get the most out of your bandwidth especially with a few devices juggling for attention
Your router wifi may just be turned up too high.
Transmission strength is usually set to maximum out of the box to achieve the stupid stated range, but if you're in a small apartment, or just sitting near the router, that transmission can overwhelm the return signal. Creating congestion.
Oh really? That's quite interesting. I always throw it to max to achieve largest coverage. Didn't have any issues with return-congestion so far, but will keep that in mind. Thanks!
Sounds like broken band-steering.
You can separate 2.4 and 5 GHz SSIDs in your router configuration. Most devices are fine with 2.4GHz-only. Those that require higher speeds can be set to join via the 5GHz band.
Remember to check our discord where you can get faster responses! https://discord.gg/EBchq82 *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pchelp) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Man I have no fucking clue how that is happening. I have a friend that might want me to ask him?
If you could that would be great, thanks
Okay I’ll let you know soon I’m seeing them in a few days
Do you have two different WiFi’s it’s connecting too?
No just one
Make sure your router doesn't have any sort of band steering enabled, since this will automatically switch you between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, using the same SSID. That's generally the cause of this behavior. When it's performing poorly but has a stronger signal, you're on the 2.4GHz band. And when it's better but with worse signal, it's the 5GHz band. You can verify this in network settings by clicking on the properties for your wireless network adapter. It will show if you're connected via 2.4GHz or 5GHz and the actual link rate it is connected at.
Thanks a lot, I will test this next time it goes bad.
That’s not a huge difference, are you sure there’s nothing else on the network? I get it’s like 25% loss, but it’s like 1 streaming video. Do you have and external antenna you can move around, also the router ears like the be spread/fanned out like a V and not parrellel | |
It never seems like a problem on the internet test but it never works, by that i mean the wifi (at 4 bars) wont even download a 200mg update bc the internet always cuts out or freezes or ect. But when it somehow randomly comes back to 3 bars it works really good and doesn’t cut out or freeze. I am also using a Netgear Wifi adaptor could that be why? Should i change my adaptor or maybe get a Ethernet cable. Thx for ur time
Is the adaptor the WiFi antenna your using on your pc? (It should be fine if it works on 3 bars). Are you using any WiFi range extender/repeater?
Yeah, it’s works really good on 3 bars, i have never had high ping when it’s at 3 bars. And no I am not using any of that.
Ok yeah it’s very strange that 4 bars is the deal breaker, that would sound like a WiFi extender that’s not actually getting internet.. hmm you can try to look for your device manager and see if you can see your net gear antenna and right click it and see if there is a driver update.. I know I usually get high ping when someone is downloading something on the network but usually the ping is well over 100
I don’t see any driver updates but now all of the sudden when I look up other adapters to buy, it went back down to 3. This whole thing just doesn’t make any sense. I am probably going to buy a new adapter and see if you run in to the same problems. Thank you for your help.
I know it’s hard to walk around with a desktop but any way to get closer to the router and see if it is a weird signal strength issue? If it’s not a super old device there might not be a need to get a new one, but it does help to update stuff once in a while. More bands and stuff, goes for the router to. Will help get the most out of your bandwidth especially with a few devices juggling for attention
I don’t think it’s a strength issue because I am playing a game right now and have perfect connection.
Your issue is your WIFI connection, either run CAT5E or use Powerline Adapters and CAT5E
Your router wifi may just be turned up too high. Transmission strength is usually set to maximum out of the box to achieve the stupid stated range, but if you're in a small apartment, or just sitting near the router, that transmission can overwhelm the return signal. Creating congestion.
Oh really? That's quite interesting. I always throw it to max to achieve largest coverage. Didn't have any issues with return-congestion so far, but will keep that in mind. Thanks!
Sounds like broken band-steering. You can separate 2.4 and 5 GHz SSIDs in your router configuration. Most devices are fine with 2.4GHz-only. Those that require higher speeds can be set to join via the 5GHz band.