Delayed connections and sudden slowdowns. Enhanced mesh systems, improved signals, better performance.
Delayed connections and sudden slowdowns. Enhanced mesh systems, improved signals, better performance.
I don't know where to start on this since I've been running into these issues for a long time now and my ISP has failed to properly do anything about it. Though I know I can't entirely blame the ISP, they are pieces of shit. I'm currently with Rogers cable service and pay for their 500mbps down and 25mbps up promotion and use the Rogers Gigabit Modem/Router that they provide. My house has a dead spot on the right side of the house where I don't receive any signal (2.4GHz or 5GHz) and I previously used to run a range extender and extend the 5GHz network to my room. I knew I wouldn't get the fastest signal that way but it would get the job done. However for some time now, I've noticed that the wifi would severely slow down, peak hours or not and the speeds would dip to a point where it could take up to minutes to load a web browser. I know that sometimes the signal strength can die down but this would happen way too often to the point where several complaints and technicians coming and still nothing proper would be done about it. All I was told throughout the numerous phone calls and technicians that it's due to interference from construction (which may have been true since there was construction at the time), yet I still run into these problems with a relatively developed area. I've told them about the deadzone and the slow signals across the house lacking consistency and Rogers told me to either rent their mesh network pods or purchase my own. Rogers told me that getting a mesh network will remove any deadzones in the house since the pods will cover the area (I live in a 2500 square feet house). The router is placed in the family room (which is in the middle of the house). I purchased a D-Link AC1200 2 pod system and connected the one pod to the router and the other in the hallway in the middle to get the best strength for both pods. Here are my speeds from various tests: Ethernet: 700mbps down, 25mbps up (seems that nothing is wrong with the router) 5G (Close to router): 180mbps down, 23mbps up 5G MESH (Close to router): 210mbps down, 24mbps up 5G MESH (Upstairs): 72mbps down, 20mbps up I knew that I would have signal loss across the house and experience slower speeds, but I don't think I should be losing this much, even right by the modem? Rogers would say that upping your speeds would give you high speeds across, even with multiple devices connected. I knew that was mostly bullshit but didn't have much choice since these are promotional offers for loyalty. My previous plan was a 350mbps down and the change in plans only lead to a marginal increase in speeds wirelessly. I want to know in what ways can I improve the overall speed in the house, and also know why I get these signal drops/packet losses even at dead times.
You're right to be puzzled about why they'd bother visiting your home for a simple network problem unless they provide that service. It seems like the issue lies with the house itself. I personally experienced this—my home didn't receive strong Verizon signals. I had to position myself near windows in the sunroom or use the back porch phone. Even with those speeds, there must be limitations. For transfers between computers, you're likely fine. If you really need faster connections, consider rearranging equipment or laying Ethernet cables.
The main problem is constant signal loss and sudden lag spikes throughout the house. This prevents me from playing games or working smoothly online.
I’m using 5GHz and configured the mesh network for the same band. I adjusted the channels and increased bandwidth because many users on the same ISP are doing the same. Speeds improved mainly on the 5G connection, but not much on the mesh, which I have to rely on. My biggest concern is understanding why my internet keeps dropping even when idle.
In my observations merging various APs often causes delays and slow performance during connection changes. It feels like passing a message through a chain of people—each one adds a delay. Ideally, having separate APs connected directly to a switch would be preferable over a mesh setup. Mesh tends to work best in large venues like stadiums or conference halls. For strong up and down link speeds, stick with traditional wired connections rather than mesh systems. (Power lines also perform well) Personally, I live in a multi-story home with many neighbors, so I installed one AP per floor. On the top floor, I placed two APs where walls blocked the line of sight—like bathrooms, closets, ducts, and appliances. I’d suggest rethinking your setup and its intended use. Here’s an example of my layout. Key points for homes using 5GHz or 2.5GHz: maintain clear line of sight, verify cabling is Cat5e compatible, ensure RJ45 jacks are properly connected and using all pairs (use a tester), note that greater distance increases latency and slows speeds. Check if your AP, switches, and ISP router support gigabit Wi-Fi or only fast Ethernet (100Mbps). Also tune your channel to reduce interference.)
From what I've observed, the main issue seems to be with the Wi-Fi rather than the Ethernet connection. It seldom impacts the Ethernet too. We only have one device linked via Ethernet—a streaming box that isn't used after 11 PM. I notice these drops and fluctuations happen unpredictably. My neighbors use the same ISP and haven’t faced any similar problems. Unfortunately, I can’t install additional access points in my home. The router sits on the ground floor, and running more than 200 feet of cable to another AP would require a long, winding wire through the house. I’ve tested the router and mesh network, and those results are consistent. On the main floor, whether connected to the mesh or not, speeds stay above 250 Mbps. Around 15 feet away from the router (same level), signal drops but I still maintain over 100 Mbps even with a single bar. The upper floor, linked to the mesh network, gets about 70 Mbps on strong signals. My house is nearly two years old, open-plan with many windows, studs, and wooden/metal framing—possibly causing interference. The mesh router I purchased supports bridge mode, letting me connect another device to extend coverage. Could this help boost speeds and improve my connection?
If you connect the "D-Link Cover Dual Band AC1200" to an Ethernet port, it can improve your connection speed and stability without affecting signal range. To address distance challenges, enable both 2.5 and 5GHz bands on your device. Since only 5GHz is available with this model, I configured the provided modem combo box to switch between them based on proximity. This setup allows your device to use 2.5GHz when farther away and 5GHz when closer. Broadcast 2.5GHz with the SSID "Home Pie" and 5GHz with "Home Pie". If your mesh network works similarly, it should resolve both up/downlink issues. This solution is free but requires some time to fine-tune.
To eliminate interference, consider removing the Rodgers combo box from its current location. If you receive your internet through coaxial cable, you might need a router or switch that supports higher bandwidth. You can buy one from Craigslist or similar options.
The typical issue here is that multi-level providers like Shaw and Telus offer limited antenna strength in their boxes. For better performance, look into a more powerful router or switch within your budget.
If you have extra funds, investing in a router/switch combo can significantly boost your setup. The trade-off is time spent optimizing settings.
Avoid using the old router; it’s not ideal for modern needs. If you’re on a tight budget, you could use a different router with stronger broadcasting capabilities.
Check if your network devices might be competing for the same IP address, which can affect performance. Setting one router to static IP (e.g., 192.100.1.1) may help.
This approach is free but demands effort to achieve optimal results.
I'm about 10 feet from the pod in the hallway. In reality, each bedroom in the house is roughly 10 feet away from it. It's positioned exactly in the middle of the second floor, so everyone has full bars and the distance doesn't seem too big (unless 5Ghz is really bad). Right now I don't have a spare router, but my friend will let me borrow one—possibly keeping his own—and I'll explore all the options you mentioned. I'll also test running the pods in bridge mode from the main router once I get the spare and check how it performs.