Identifying issues with a Ubiquiti Wi-Fi setup that operates at just 29% of its capacity.
Identifying issues with a Ubiquiti Wi-Fi setup that operates at just 29% of its capacity.
I refer to sluggish WiFi performance as a reduction in the speed and reliability of your internet connection. This can happen due to distance, interference, or network congestion. When you're close to a Wi-Fi access point, especially with a mobile device nearby, you might notice slower speeds compared to when you're farther away. On a mobile device, you typically won't reach full 1 Gbps unless you're in an optimal location; usually, you see more like 300-600 Mbps depending on the signal strength and network conditions.
It might help to increase that parameter. This should prompt your equipment to switch between access points more effectively. Also consider the structure of your facility and the placement of your APs. Their coverage areas shouldn’t intersect excessively. Have you completed an RF assessment?
I've also observed that your Wi-Fi doesn't behave well with client devices when both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz are active simultaneously. I often have to keep them separate since it can cause unexpected switching between networks, especially when moving between access points. Sometimes it stays on one band while the other changes, which is quite disruptive. It seems like a strange pattern, but I'm not particularly interested in signal strength. Unfortunately, I've had to turn off the 6 GHz band completely due to a significant coverage gap in my home. Additionally, my iPhones (up to 15 Pro) tend to struggle with the 6 GHz frequency for long connections, frequently disconnecting. The 5 GHz band has generally provided a balanced mix of speed and stability. I suggest separating the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels into distinct Wi-Fi networks and using auto-detection for signal strength. Reducing the number of APs broadcasting on the 2.4 GHz band could also help. At this stage, you might need to reassess whether 2.4 GHz is still necessary given the multiple APs. My final advice would be to disable band steering—it doesn't perform well. The issue is that 2.4 GHz connects first due to its stronger signal over longer distances. As you move around or switch networks, your devices must constantly decide which band to use, adding unnecessary complexity. It feels slow and confusing, but it's not ideal. Separating the bands seems like the most effective solution.
The 14 access points inside the main building form a single cluster, all within proximity of one another. The remote unit on campus is outside the reach of the remaining 14. When the remote unit operates slowly, the others follow suit. We verified with a Hacker RF One that devices from our corporate neighbors are physically separated from our access points and not causing interference or range overlap. Additionally, we scanned for rogue access points or RF interference from other campus devices and found none.
We have not achieved the highest speeds from the access points, not even during my late-night visits when only the security staff were present. The Wi-Fi does not run out of capacity, regardless of how many people are on-site or the number of devices connected.
Thank you for the suggestion. Our latest trial of increasing RSSI didn't alter the outcome. Users continue to move between access points while seated at their desks, but stop roaming once they're in different areas of the building. At first, the access points were set higher, and we reduced them during troubleshooting.
It's reasonable. My Unifi setup had problems moving files between wired devices because they were on different VLANs, keeping bandwidth at 2.5 Gbps without saturation. For security reasons I changed my physical arrangement so high-file-transfer devices shared the same VLAN. Consider splitting or turning off the 2.4 GHz band to test performance. It took some time, but I added a note suggesting: divide 2.4 and 5 GHz channels, turn off 6 GHz, disable band steering, and set RSSI to auto or auto. Also, reducing APs broadcasting on 2.4 GHz could help.
Begin testing from the start of your network and check the speeds there. Your internet provider might not deliver maximum gigabit performance, especially when usage is high. With a big network, you're likely using many connected devices. Are your switches linked together in a chain or are they all connected to a single central unit?
This setup is fully Unifi-based, not a combination with other interfaces or tools. As someone who used a UISP ER-X, I noticed significant differences. The same problems appear with wired connections too. If they do, it likely relates to Hardware Acceleration or Offloading. It should automatically turn off if any Internet configuration or QoS rules are active, even critical priority apps. In my case, basic gateways cap speeds around 200 Mbps, which can drop further with QoS enabled. My internet rarely exceeds that, but I understand it could be challenging for a business at Acale.