The connection quality consistently decreases over time.
The connection quality consistently decreases over time.
I'm positioned a bit farther from the router, yet the issue remains after a few hours, dropping speeds to about 10 Mbps. After restarting the router via software, my connection improved. It seems the problem is related to the Wi-Fi antennas, as connecting through Ethernet resolved it previously. What should I do to fix this?
Consider adjusting the Wi-Fi channel manually. Overlapping channels may lead to interference. Alternatively, opt for Ethernet if you're in the same room as the router.
Consider potential WiFi interference. Execute a wireless survey with WiFi Analyzer on the affected device. Capture screenshots of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz band analyses. Identify the wireless router make/model and confirm whether you're using 2.4GHz or 5GHz connectivity.
My computer isn't compatible with the 5 GHz frequency, while my router works fine. The photo shows what happened before the issue started, though the problem was present. My internet speed is 100 Mbps via Ethernet, but on Wi-Fi I'm currently around 50 Mbps. Restarting the router now brings it up to 75 Mbps. It seems the router is wearing out from constant use.
Routers typically scan both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands when they start up to pick the optimal channel automatically. They may also adjust other parameters depending on nearby devices and the conditions of your network. This explains why you notice them adjusting. On 2.4GHz, channel 6 is usually quiet, giving you decent speeds, but nearby routers can still tweak themselves for their users, sometimes overlapping or shifting channels. When interference appears, devices need to share the spectrum, similar to cars at a busy junction. This competition causes delays. Additionally, other gadgets like Bluetooth or devices operating close to 2.4GHz can cause further disruption that your app might miss. While 50Mbps on 2.4GHz is reasonable, you rarely surpass 75Mbps even in ideal settings. The 5GHz band offers more bandwidth and less interference from other broadcasts, though its coverage is shorter and signals weaken quickly with obstacles.
But then why does turning it off and on again always work? Isn’t there another way besides manually restarting? Also, regarding interference, I usually have only a few devices connected at once, and most aren’t using the signal actively. I do use Bluetooth earphones, but they don’t seem to cause much disruption.
Your router must carry out a wireless check and tweak its antennas. Yet since you’re also battling your neighbours’ networks that are constantly adjusting, issues will likely return. A broadcast signal that overlaps but isn’t active won’t always cause trouble until someone connects (like after hours or early morning). When you notice the slowdown again, run a wireless scan. Interference usually comes from other devices, not your own clients. They can create traffic congestion if many are using it. Try disabling them and also turning off Bluetooth on your PC to test improvements over time. If another device can reach the router’s 5GHz band, check its connection strength at your location. If it’s acceptable, consider upgrading to a dual-band wireless adapter for better performance.
In practice, Bluetooth has little effect on Wi-Fi performance. I attempted to disable it without success. For devices supporting 5 GHz, they connect via that frequency. This conclusion comes from the analysis during the ongoing issue. Recently, excessive traffic on the same channel caused the problem. I restarted my router but still received 50 Mbps and noticed residual activity. The persistent poor signal likely stems from neighbors continuously using their Wi-Fi, even at night. How can I switch to a different channel?
On Windows, open Command Prompt/PowerShell/Terminal and execute the command `netsh wlan show interfaces`. This displays details about your Wi-Fi connection, including transmission rates, signal strength, channel, and the MAC address of the access point you're using. Observe any changes in channel usage, band switching from 5GHz to 2.4GHz, or drops in transmission speeds like TX rates falling to around 6Mbps. If you have a mesh, repeater, or multiple APs, verify if the slowdown aligns with a shift in the access point's MAC address (BSSID). From there, we can investigate further.
Technically, your display doesn’t mention traffic. It notes two additional 2.4GHz transmissions on channel 6, yet their strength appears weaker than -80dBm on your device—significantly reduced. You might want to switch the 2.4GHz channel to 1 or 11 manually to test. There could be other interference sources you’re not seeing through an app. From what you see, your neighbors’ signal is likely adequate, so it probably isn’t their problem. Could you share the wireless adapter and router models?