The internet connection is experiencing a slowdown.
The internet connection is experiencing a slowdown.
I connected a gigabit Wi-Fi router today from TPLINK and the speed dropped from 35 Mbps to 3 Mbps. Before that, I was only using the Wi-Fi that came with the Rogers modem.
Initially, you won't achieve Gigabit speed through WiFi—it’s just the usual way things work. You also need to understand the wireless standard and frequency band you're using. 2.4 GHz is ideal for range, while 5 GHz offers higher speeds. Another point is that having Gigabit ports on a router doesn’t guarantee it supports Gigabit internet. Many budget routers come with basic processors and can't handle such high speeds because of NAT limitations.
the router i acquired is a TP-Link AC1200 mesh model running at 2.4ghz, the same as before with my ISP built-in device. i intend to move to a new ISP because of poor customer service, but they have a modem without built-in Wi-Fi, so i need one. i only have two devices connected—a laptop using 2.4ghz and an iPhone 11 Pro Max. the apartment is about 200 square feet, and the router is plugged in via a 3-foot cable. i’m roughly 2 feet away from it. i’m wondering if a Wi-Fi router can support speeds over 30 Mbps, especially since it’s only dropping to around 3 Mbps. i’m not aiming for 500 Mbps via Wi-Fi.
2.4 GHz powers Bluetooth, cordless phones, and wireless devices. It's the most widely used wireless band. Many gadgets can interfere with it. It's designed for range, not high speed—use 5 GHz if you need faster data.
Someone might guess the situation, but the truth is you're in an apartment where many WiFi networks are vying for space. There are only a few available channels. You could switch them, but 2.4 GHz will always be slower, particularly when interference is present. I’d say you'd likely reach a maximum of a couple hundred Mbps at most. I’ve heard Signal’s Wireless N usually gives around 70 Mbps, so you’ll probably never hit a gigabit on that frequency.
I’m not aiming for gigabit speeds anymore with my ISP Wi-Fi. It seems switching to a router caused the drop, even though there aren’t more networks now. I know 5GHz is faster, but I’m not chasing hundreds of Mbps—I just want around 30 Mbps back to what I had before.
Again, billions of devices operate at 2.4 GHz. Your new router might be on a different wireless channel than before. A neighbor could have purchased a device that works in the same band, causing interference. The router you bought may not match the performance of a high-end radio or antenna. TP links are often associated with budget models, not top-tier speed. From a technical standpoint, AC and AX standards are more aligned with 5 GHz technologies. It’s also possible your previous router’s 2.4 GHz model was simply designed for higher speeds. Routers typically have varying speeds across bands. I’ve noticed 2.4 GHz speeds range from 300 Mbps to 900 Mbps on Wi-Fi AC. There are simply too many factors involved.
You're unsure about the naming style used in Canada—does it refer to a Deco device or just an AC1200 wireless router? What model does Rogers supply you with? Did you connect your TP-Link router directly into the Rogers unit without adjusting any settings? Were you disabling the Wi-Fi function on the Rogers device after linking the TP-Link router? Please clarify these points so we can better understand the situation. Also, @Donut417 has a valid observation: the 5GHz band offers higher speeds and fewer interference issues compared to 2.4GHz. While 30Mbps isn't the absolute top speed on 2.4GHz, you're more likely to maintain stable 30Mbps performance there due to its limitations. If you live in a densely populated area with many nearby networks, consider avoiding the 2.4GHz antenna if possible. Use WiFi Analyzer and share screenshots from the 'Networks' and 'Analyze' sections to review the network conditions. For your space, a 200 sqft apartment should provide solid coverage—switching to a Wi-Fi 5 or better adapter could be worthwhile if your device only supports 2.4GHz. Turn off the 2.4GHz radio completely or reduce its power output.
I reviewed some tutorials and then adjusted my channel settings on the 2.4 frequency. Now I’m seeing speeds over 30 Mbps when setting up my new PC. I plan to upgrade to a 5GHz connection since it will be just my phone using Wi-Fi—specifically an iPhone 11 Pro Max, which does support 5GHz. Right now the laptop only supports 2.4 GHz, so that’s not possible. The upcoming desktop will connect via Ethernet using a 3-6 foot cable.