Have issues with your WiFi network?
Have issues with your WiFi network?
Hey everyone! I've been experimenting with various mesh systems to fit my gigabit fiber setup. My goal was to avoid any cables connecting my router to my desktop, which is in a different room. I set up a satellite on my desk, connected the LAN cable to my desktop and placed the router in the living room. Since the rooms are close together, it's not too far. The main issue I'm facing is that the setup isn't reaching full speed even though the product claims it should. The satellite is capped at under 50 Mbps until I restart it, after which it jumps to around 700 Mbps again. Some people say this is due to weak mesh connections, but the models I've tried—Orbi Netgear RBK50 AC3000 and my Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8—should handle high-speed gaming. It's really frustrating because I often have to restart the router just to play or download. Anyone have any advice?
You can only reach gigabit speeds through Wi-Fi, and it's quite challenging to achieve that even with the latest access points.
Around 700 connections are possible, but the issue is that performance drops and often falls to about 50 megabits per second. Restarting the satellite is required to restore speeds above 700. This daily reboot is really annoying... shouldn’t it function smoothly?
700 megabits per second works well over Wi-Fi. Regarding slower speeds, I’m not sure enough to pinpoint the problem. Did the connection slow down on both devices you used? Also, do you have coaxial cable at home? You might want to try MOCA if possible. Plus, attempt to connect an Ethernet cable—this usually offers faster performance and more consistent speeds for devices that can’t be wired.
I believe the mesh network expands my WiFi coverage to reach all areas
I have a Netgear Orbi RBK853 linked straight to my Fiber ONT (940/940Mbps). My performance shows around 935/935Mbps for hardwired connections, with 866 or 433 on the limited 5GHz band. Devices that are slower usually reach their full speed potential. Channel 157, which has a wider spread, serves as a backhaul but also blocks higher channels and the 5GHz band at Channel 48. We’re hoping for more higher channels in the future. My satellite equipment isn’t installed; it’s too far—over 30 feet from three different floors—and the router sits low against a brick wall. Despite this, satellites connect without problems. Anything hardwired to the APs gets ample bandwidth, as do those on the Wi-Fi network, even across long distances like my neighbor’s room about 175 feet away through many walls. That made it simple to stream music from a 150Mbps tablet. They often shift between APs, but NAT issues with gaming consoles were fixed via a firewall update. These devices are costly, but all new tech (AX) is still emerging. If you’re an early adopter and need this kind of gear, the price reflects that. And these items are becoming increasingly expensive. The RBK7xx series is available now—it’s not cheap but more affordable than the RBK853, just a bit more advanced. You might want to check both options.
I'm pleased you're experiencing solid speeds on the RBK853. Currently, I'm using the Asus Mesh until my new RBK752 arrives, and I'm hoping the connection speed to satellites will improve. Are there any particular adjustments you should make to achieve the best performance once the RBK752 is delivered? Would sticking to the default settings suffice, or should I look into specific changes? Updated July 10, 2020 by Joey96 — asked FarmerBob for advice