Need assistance enhancing WiFi sharing?
Need assistance enhancing WiFi sharing?
Hello everyone, I'm still getting the hang of this networking stuff. About two years ago, my family and I made the switch to fiber optic Internet. It's super fast, but there are still some problems. When we first started, I was using a USB WiFi adapter from TP-Link. Even though it worked, the speed was slow compared to the promises, since I was far from the modem and router upstairs (about 60Mbits per second).
When the pandemic started, because I was doing a lot of online learning, we decided to add a WiFi repeater in my room on the upper floor. I connected my PC to it with an Ethernet cable, and suddenly the speeds improved—now it's around 350Mbits per second, which is a big jump. Unfortunately, we've realized that this setup isn't perfect anymore. On the same floor, there are two people: one who plays games nonstop and another who works on a workstation. Both are using WiFi, but because my repeater is closest, they're all connected to it. Their download speeds are pretty low—about 30Mbits per second. I thought maybe I was hogging the bandwidth, but I'm not sure.
When I tried disconnecting the repeater and forcing them to connect directly to the router, the speeds improved a bit, but not much. Things have gotten more complicated since then. I'm asking for advice. Ideally, I'd like a WiFi repeater that only accepts Ethernet connections, so I can keep my speed without overloading the network. I could use the one I already have and plug it into another room, with at least the workstation or gaming console connected via Ethernet. Or maybe there are other options I should check out!
I know a lot about hardware, but networking still feels tricky. Terms like hotspots, amplifiers, range extenders, DHCP, routers... it's all confusing. A few things to note: we're using the original router/modem we got, not NETGEAR models. I think our network is WiFi 5, but I should verify. My internet provider has a repeater that can switch us to WiFi 6 if it's directly connected to the router. I'm not sure if custom devices can do that, and whether using one would be worth it.
Since I live in France, things might differ from what you're used to in the US. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have questions. Thank you for your help!
Would you like me to connect your ISP equipment to a spot with improved internet performance?
Unfortunately, it's too distant... And it doesn't look very appealing going upstairs. I don't set the guidelines. It seems they wanted to purchase a hotspot instead.
Setting up an access point linked to an Ethernet uplink from the ISP device ensures the most reliable performance and steady speeds, particularly when consistent internet access matters for your users. Ethernet works smoothly inside any home with a bit of ingenuity and support if needed. You can easily route it through any building using standard methods. If you prefer alternatives, consider MoCA for existing coaxial cabling or Powerline for existing wiring—both are more stable than wireless in challenging environments. The issues you're facing with your WiFi repeater are common; they often underperform. A mesh network could be a superior solution if running cables isn't feasible.
I understand the suggestions you’ve shared so far. Everything you mentioned has been considered. Running Ethernet or using an access point doesn’t seem feasible here. There’s no coaxial wiring available, so MoCA isn’t viable either. Mesh networks are too costly for our needs. Powerline seems like a practical alternative, affecting only my PC and leaving others untouched. I’m still unsure about its impact on overall bandwidth but will investigate further. Offering my own WiFi repeater might be enough, letting them keep their current setup. Regarding the AP, it’s not strictly mandatory—just connecting the ISP device to one end and my PC to the other could work. The difference in performance would depend on how much interference or load it adds. I also ran some speed tests, noting slower upload speeds (around 10Mbits/s) compared to downloads (about 50Mbits/s). This will be another factor to evaluate.
I'm impressed by how quickly my PC responds when connected via Ethernet. I wasn't anticipating such a noticeable difference in performance. I was hoping for a more stable connection, but not necessarily a higher speed. I'll remember this when considering a purchase later. The modem the ISP gave us is a Livebox 5, which seems to be specific to France and Europe—maybe you can find more details there. I'm also unsure if it functions as a mesh node; I haven't come across any information about that. If my setup works out, I'd like to test it locally, compare the results, and share them.
WiFi or Powerline won't deliver reliable performance; consider them workarounds to force Ethernet over an unstable medium affected by many interferences. MoCA offers a more stable solution since COAX wiring provides consistent signals, avoiding competition with external sources or other disruptions—unlike WiFi or Powerline which share the same frequency bands. The only guaranteed outcome is solid wired Ethernet, built specifically for this use case.
Yeah, I tried to joke around but really wanted to say I’m hoping for a solution that matches the speeds. It seems like plugging an Ethernet cable into the back of a repeater isn’t much better than a Powerline setup. Still, I think I’m being too hopeful. From all the info I’ve read, it sounds pretty similar. But there’s no coaxial wiring anywhere. That’s clear—I’d fix it right away if I were the only one in the house.