Setting up a home Wi-Fi network can be a frustrating experience.
Setting up a home Wi-Fi network can be a frustrating experience.
- I have two wireless networks—main Wi-Fi and an extended one—and I have to switch them manually, which is quite frustrating.
- The extended network shows unusual lag; sometimes I’m connected but can’t access the internet, like a stuck YouTube video. Switching it off and back on on my mobile devices works fine.
- My wireless devices seem to get stuck in the extended network even when close to the stronger main router, forcing me to change networks manually.
- After installing the extender, the main router displays strange errors. Some mobile devices report “Network access denied,” and it sometimes resolves after a short wait, or I need to restart it.
- The cable connection is stable with no lag or interruptions.
Speed details:
- Cable: 1 Gigabit down, 750 Mbps up—perfectly stable.
- Two PCs via cable: 550 Mbps down, 550 Mbps up—adequate.
- Main Wi-Fi: 550 Mbps down, 550 Mbps up—seems fine.
- 4 out of 5 devices online at once.
- Extended Wi-Fi: 130 Mbps down, 110 Mbps up—seems acceptable.
- 3 out of 4 devices online at once, but download speed on mobile is a bit lower.
I’m unsure if the problems stem from hardware or software, but I’m open to upgrading to a wired-only router for my PCs and using a mesh network for the rest of the house. I’m struggling with choosing the right router or mesh setup and don’t know which hardware to buy. Any advice would be really helpful. Thanks!
Hello everyone, here are a few points I want to share before I begin: I’m completely new to networking topics, though I have some familiarity with PC-related issues. This post will take some time to cover thoroughly. The main issue I’m facing is with my apartment layout: the Wi-Fi router (Dlink DIR 878) is placed in a corner, and the signal barely reaches the other side—often dropping to one bar or less. I’ve purchased a range extender from Dlink, but the performance is disappointing. I’m encountering several challenges:
- I have two wireless networks—main Wi-Fi and an extended one—and I have to switch them manually, which is quite frustrating.
- The extended network shows unusual lag; sometimes I’m connected but can’t access the internet, like a stuck YouTube video. Switching it off and back on on my mobile devices works fine.
- My wireless devices seem to get stuck in the extended network even when close to the stronger main router, forcing me to change networks manually.
- After installing the extender, the main router displays strange errors. Some mobile devices report “Network access denied,” and it sometimes resolves after a short wait, or I need to restart it.
- The cable connection is stable with no lag or interruptions.
Speed details:
- Cable: 1 Gigabit down, 750 Mbps up—perfectly stable.
- Two PCs via cable: 550 Mbps down, 550 Mbps up—adequate.
- Main Wi-Fi: 550 Mbps down, 550 Mbps up—seems fine.
- 4 out of 5 devices online at once.
- Extended Wi-Fi: 130 Mbps down, 110 Mbps up—seems acceptable.
- 3 out of 4 devices online at once, but download speed on mobile is a bit lower.
I’m unsure if the problems stem from hardware or software, but I’m open to upgrading to a wired-only router for my PCs and using a mesh network for the rest of the house. I’m struggling with choosing the right router or mesh setup and don’t know which hardware to buy. Any advice would be really helpful. Thanks!
BrandonT118
09-22-2024, 11:59 AM #2For the PCs, I recommend using a CAT cable—it would make a big difference. I’ve stopped using WiFi on my laptops and PCs because of slow speeds and dropped packets. CAT cables are much more stable. A CAT5 or CAT6 connection might work well for you. You should also reach out to the service staff and ask them to investigate, as I’ve seen WiFi router placement affect performance. Contacting your ISP could help identify the issue.
MythicalPotato
09-22-2024, 11:59 AM #3Check the powerline adapter and install an AP on the other side.
Hydroforce33
09-22-2024, 11:59 AM #4I considered "range extenders" as a last option for boosting wireless coverage when standard configurations fail. If you decide to use one, understand it won't match the performance of your main router. Could you share the model number? I recommend using WiFi Analyzer to check signal strength near your access point. Upload the 'Analyze' and 'Networks' screenshots for review. Please mask any public IP or MAC addresses while keeping your network name visible. Would you like a simple floor plan sketch noting device positions? Also, do you have the capability to run gigabit Ethernet between opposite sides of the building?
4. I do not, unfortunetly.
Thaks for the reply. 1. You are correct, It's a Dlink 1600 series. 2. I've attached several results. You'll notice a high access time for one site, like a stutter, exactly what I am getting in regular use. Also, mine is the only 5GHZ network available. 3. Attached, my robot cleaner map helped 4. I do not, unfortunetly.
The link you were looking for wasn’t located. If a range extender is placed near the weakest part of your Wi-Fi, it may not provide much help—especially since it’s often marketed as a quick fix. These devices usually work in half-duplex mode, meaning they can’t send and receive at the same time, which adds complexity. Using a 2.4GHz channel can cause congestion because the band is already busy, and your connection speed will be limited by the frequency you’re using. You might try shifting to channel 11 and narrowing the bandwidth to 20MHz, but this offers only small improvements. Your neighbors are likely suffering from interference due to the wide channel settings. The best solution would be to install a wired access point closer to your needs, ensuring a stable connection while still allowing wireless access when needed. If running Ethernet isn’t an option, consider powerline adapters or MoCa technology, though both have drawbacks. I personally find powerline less dependable, so I recommend someone else for further advice.
Thank you for your clarification. If you manage to add another cable and get a second router, there is a way to combine the two Wi-Fi networks. This approach aims to consolidate everything into a single network for your apartment, similar to how mesh networks operate. I’d be happy to help you with a solution if you need guidance on setting it up.
I didn’t recommend introducing a second router. I suggested incorporating a wireless access point. Some home routers can be switched to access point mode through their web interface, though this is more straightforward for certain models. By integrating a wireless access point, you essentially add another signal source in areas where your existing connection is weak. This point enables clients to connect to the main network via the Ethernet cable linked to the primary router. The main router continues to operate as both a router and a switch. This setup doesn’t merge networks; instead, you can assign the same SSID to both access points so clients switch between them based on signal strength. Proper configuration is key—ensure the signal coverage overlaps slightly, use distinct channels for 2.4GHz and 5GHz devices, and set the radio power just enough to cover your needs. This approach isn’t typical for mesh networks, which require specialized mesh devices. Running Ethernet from the primary wireless router makes adding a new access point easier, more stable, and less expensive, particularly in homes with complex layouts. Please share your budget and target region, and let me know if you can browse online platforms like Amazon or eBay.
- After installing the access point, should I link it to my existing main router via one of the ports I currently use for PCs, or is there another method?
- For hardware, you mentioned something like the Dlink DAP 2610 dual band. It’s around 100 EUR, which matches your budget. Do you have any other recommendations? I’d prefer a new unit. Amazon is an option, but local stores often provide quicker service and better availability.
I believe I understand. Two more points to clarify:
- After installing the access point, should I link it to my existing main router via one of the ports I currently use for PCs, or is there another method?
- For hardware, you mentioned something like the Dlink DAP 2610 dual band. It’s around 100 EUR, which matches your budget. Do you have any other recommendations? I’d prefer a new unit. Amazon is an option, but local stores often provide quicker service and better availability.
It seems you're evaluating the access point options. The specifications indicate a maximum speed of 867Mbps on the 5GHz band under ideal settings. With your gigabit internet, you'll likely not use the full bandwidth on a single device, but multiple connections will introduce significant overhead. The Ubiquit UAP-AC-Pro appears more suitable given its advertised capacity to handle higher traffic.