Transferring files over Wi-Fi causes a significant drop in internet performance.
Transferring files over Wi-Fi causes a significant drop in internet performance.
Hello, I hope someone has faced a similar problem before. I run an older PC with a Plex Media server on an I7 3770K and gigabit Ethernet. The setup is hardwired to my network, which runs on an Orbi AX6000. Another machine also has a gigabit connection, and file transfers between them work smoothly—Wi-Fi and wired internet stay fully functional. When moving files from my laptop (Surface Laptop 4 with AMD processor) to the Plex Server, speeds range from 50 to 75 MB per second. The transfer is fine, but during the process Wi-Fi slows to under 10Mbps and becomes almost unusable. Wired Ethernet remains stable. It seems the router is overloading the Wi-Fi channels, leaving no bandwidth for other traffic. I don’t see any indication that the Orbi device is prioritizing my connection. Anyone know a workaround or solution? The router is still within its return window, so if it’s just a simple fix, I’d appreciate a recommendation. Thanks!
That’s 600mbps. Could you share the connection speed of your laptop’s Wi-Fi (or if it’s wired) while performing this task? Also, what’s the speed of any other device you’re using to check the transfer from the laptop to PLEX? If the speeds differ, it might mean the test isn’t fair or the transfer is affecting the network in some way. I don’t have direct experience with AX Wi-Fi handling regular traffic under heavy loads, but I know devices with multiple antennas usually handle more clients better. Is your server’s maximum read speed over 75 MBps? If yes, could you attempt several non-WiFi file transfers through your Orbi at once to see how it performs? This might help determine if the Orbi is bottlenecked by switching or QoS settings.
The laptop connects to Wi-Fi, not a wired connection. The adapter used is an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160Mhz. Transfer speeds on the laptop stay around 600Mbps during the process. While streaming YouTube on the Shield Pro causes interruptions, my S22 Ultra shows a drop in internet speed. When I stream at the same time, buffering and pauses occur. The server’s maximum read speed reaches about 110MBps. I’ve tested two large file transfers over Ethernet before; all other connections worked fine during those transfers. The same transfer from my wife’s laptop via Wi-Fi failed again, but her older Surface Laptop 3 with a Wifi 5 adapter managed only ~20MBps. The Wi-Fi on my phone also crashed during the test. Ethernet stayed stable throughout. It seems the problem might be related to Wi-Fi interference or QoS settings. I bought a new Amazon Renewed unit, which had the same issue plus random restarts. After returning the old one, I got a brand-new system, but the recurring trouble suggests a broader network concern. I’m considering another purchase from Amazon to see if it resolves the matter. Any suggestions welcome.
I understand. Your Wi-Fi laptop appears to use the connection fully, yet performance seems limited by routing or switching issues—especially since the WAN port supports 2.5Gbps. If Orbi had built-in QoS rules like 802.1p, it would prioritize streaming and other traffic over file transfers.