Stable internet performance (win 10)
Stable internet performance (win 10)
I conducted some tests using a 50-meter Ethernet cable provided by my aunt, and observed some intriguing outcomes. The speed variations I experienced were more noticeable on WiFi compared to Ethernet. For instance, when playing Minecraft open on Ethernet, my connection dropped from 66.4 to 66.26 Mb/s. On WiFi, during one test it fell from 34.06 to 34 Mb/s, and even decreased to 2.37 Mb/s during another test. WiFi speeds also declined when using WhatsApp or streaming 4K video, though the drops were less severe than on Ethernet. The router settings suggest Ethernet performance, but my actual results often reach around 60 Mb/s. It’s unclear what to make of these differences, especially since I can’t physically move the Ethernet cable around my home.
When examining the Sky Broadband site, I notice multiple levels but the fastest choice is 145Mbps(D)/27Mbps(U). I don’t see a 30Mbps plan unless it’s not listed. If you manage roughly 66Mbps over Ethernet—which is the closest to what your provider offers—you might be on the 59Mbps/16Mbps tier. Regardless, my findings confirm what I’ve mentioned before. The gap in speed between Ethernet (the supposed top speed) and Wi-Fi is about half! A wired link eliminates all the issues I previously talked about, which is why Ethernet consistently outperforms Wi-Fi. A 30Mbps connection on Wi-Fi at your distance from the hub isn’t too low. However, if you’re streaming high-definition content (typically around 25Mbps), you’re nearing the limit of your wireless link. Random drops to 2–3Mbps can stem from various causes. If anyone else or you are using bandwidth simultaneously while testing, the results may appear slower. As I’ve stated earlier, Wi-Fi is sensitive to interference, even from nearby networks. The most frequent cause is channel overlap with your neighbor’s signal. Running the wireless survey I mentioned in my previous post could clarify this.
I completed the survey and on the 5GHz band it suggests switching to a channel like 52. I accessed my browser, entered 192.168.0.1, adjusted the wireless settings—5GHz, desired channel—and found only limited options: 36 at 80MHz, 36 at 40MHz, or 44 at 40MHz. I’m unsure if that matches what you intended, but I can provide further details if needed.
5GHz compared to 2.4GHz (highlighted for clarity, the full name omitted as requested)
It’s clear there are several issues here: an overload of WiFi networks, including yours, is transmitting on channel 36 within the 5GHz band. Their signal levels are similar, increasing the risk of data collisions. The fix involves switching the broadcast channel in your Sky Box to a different one. Given the limited channel options available through your ISP, moving to channel 44 is the most viable choice. While completely unused channels would be ideal, locked-down ISP devices restrict that flexibility. Fortunately, other networks on channel 44 have weak signals (< -80dBm), reducing interference chances. Your current signal from the Sky Box is around -65dBm, which should support smooth VoIP calls and streaming. This situation underscores how distance and physical barriers affect signal quality. If your PC and Sky Box were closer, you’d receive a stronger signal. The 2.4GHz band near your home is already crowded, making reliable connections difficult. You might try channel 1, which has weaker signals, and ensure a wider 20MHz channel width. For low-bandwidth devices or areas with poor 5GHz performance, stick to 2.4GHz only, or consider it for devices where higher speeds aren’t essential.
In your router's configuration, the 2.4 GHz band is set to channel 1, while the 5 GHz band is configured to channel 44.
Some client devices feature superior antennas or handle multiple streams efficiently, allowing them to offset issues faced by other devices.