Send files unpredictably across the network.
Send files unpredictably across the network.
Well, that's useful information. Sadly, it shows that Starlink doesn't always give consistent results. From what we've discussed so far, I'm more sure it's not the hardware itself, though we're still limited because it seems you can't simply connect it directly to the router. First, I'd suggest removing the Raspberry Pi, its power supply, and the HDD, and observe if anything changes. If nothing shifts, move on to a quick LAN test. Since you have a Raspberry Pi with an HDD, check if files are being transferred between devices over your network. Attempt to move a large file—at least 1GB or more—from the Pi to your uncertain computer. I want to stress this: avoid sending many small files; instead, copy from the Pi directly to see how it performs. Please note the speed you observe and confirm it's stable (around 1 MB/s is normal). Also, ensure the connection isn't fluctuating excessively—anything above that can indicate problems. Feel free to share screenshots if helpful!
If you need a file for testing, here’s a link for WAN tests or interference troubleshooting (it may take some time):
[WAN TEST / INTERFERENCE TROUBLESHOOTING]
For any network checks, remember to confirm that Starlink is functioning properly first. Your wired machine should handle the load well. You should avoid packet loss and keep jitter low (around 150ms max). If you're unsure about frequency, it could be 2.4GHz or 5GHz—see if moving closer to the router helps.
There are common culprits like:
- Cheap USB chargers or power supplies
- Inexpensive surge protectors (they can wipe out 5GHz signals completely)
- Interference from nearby devices
Good news: this should be quick once you verify everything is stable. After confirming the Starlink connection works, proceed with testing your Wi-Fi. If the signal is inconsistent, don't waste time troubleshooting your network—focus on the actual source.
Hi once more. Apologies if my explanation led you astray about using Ethernet. I’m able to run a basic cable through the hall, but not a permanent one. My speed tests showed no real difference between running Ethernet and Wi-Fi. With the NAS connected, download speeds were 13.7MBPS versus 10.0MBPS without it. After connecting the computer to Ethernet, the results varied: image 1 had 13.7MBPS download, image 2 was 10.0MBPS, and when running the NAS was off, it dropped to 130MBPS and 116MBPS respectively.
Random Note: When testing, I plugged the computer back into Ethernet after using the cable in the hall—it only managed about 30MBPS down at 5MBPS up. This inconsistency is odd given the same cable and both Windows 10 PCs. My takeaway is that the NAS likely didn’t matter whether it was on Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It confirmed Ethernet is significantly faster than Wi-Fi.
Following your advice, I downloaded a 1GB file to the NAS and transferred it via Wi-Fi to the computer, which took about 7 minutes. The average speed was around 3.5MB/s, peaking at 4MBPS before dropping to 70kbps or sometimes not at all. The graph appears smooth but fluctuates noticeably from fast to slow.
Later, I transferred the same file over Wi-Fi, and it took 15 seconds at 98MB/s. Today, Starlink seems to be working well, and all tests were done consecutively.
To answer your questions: I’m unsure whether I’m using 2.4GHz or 5GHz, as the router and NAS are connected to a surge protector. Could I bypass that and test again? With the new information, how should I proceed—checking for Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet, or something else? Also, I don’t know if I’m using 2.4 or 5GHz.
@problemsolver heres a video of the NAS file transfer while on WIFI and fluctuation of it. video.mp4
You seem unsure about the situation. It appears you experienced slower speeds on Wi-Fi compared to Ethernet connections, especially when using a slower connection like Starlink. The file transfer video suggests you're consistently getting around 32 Mbps over Wi-Fi, which matches your past reports of limited speeds. It seems the issue might be related to weak Wi-Fi signal or using a 2.4 GHz band instead of 5 GHz. Check your router's placement—if it's not high enough, moving it up could help.
Hey, fixing Wi-Fi can be a real headache. Various household items can interfere, like metal objects, concrete walls, glass surfaces, and electrical wires. For optimal performance, it’s best to use a cable whenever possible and position the antenna correctly.