Unusual WiFi issues. Router connection problems, everything else works fine
Unusual WiFi issues. Router connection problems, everything else works fine
I face an unusual issue with the Wi-Fi at a particular spot in my home network. The diagram below illustrates the layout of my network. Setup: Routers are installed at devices 1, 2, and 3. Yet only device 1 functions as a router. Devices 2 and 3 operate as switches or access points. A single PC is connected via Ethernet to each router. The distance from device 1 to device 2 is about 130 feet or 39.7 meters. Issue: All other network components are working normally, including stable internet speeds. WiFi from device 1 is inconsistent—speed drops and signal drops intermittently, even when devices are close. No changes occur when adding or removing wired devices. I’ve rearranged the devices multiple times without resolving the problem. Only the signal quality and speed from device 1 are affected. Possible causes: Some colleagues suggested device 1 might be intentionally weakening its signal to save power, since it handles heavy data traffic between devices 1 and 2. They recommended placing a switch between them near device 1 to reduce its load and improve WiFi performance. What are your thoughts on this situation? I require reliable WiFi from device 1.
If you turn off routers 2 and 3 and use only router 1 for Wi-Fi, the connection will rely solely on that single device. If it has sufficient power and network access, it should still function, though performance might be limited compared to using multiple routers.
I don’t have the budget to leave the routers off for extended periods. My dad attends online classes and relies on his line (PC at 2) most of the day. The issues aren’t constant—they happen every half hour to an hour, last a few hours, then disappear. To verify what you said, I need to keep the line off longer than I can right now. This is why I’m reaching out to the forum; I’m limited by cost and wanted someone with experience to share insights.