Using a slow Wi-Fi connection from an outdated router as an access point in another home
Using a slow Wi-Fi connection from an outdated router as an access point in another home
I configured an older router (N wifi) as a local access point in my home. It performed well here, delivering about 40 Mbps download speed when close to the device, reaching 70 Mbps under ideal conditions. I later shared it with a friend who uses power line instead of a direct Ethernet connection from the ISP router to this older unit. His download speed dropped to just 3 Mbps. He has fiber optics installed at home and achieves 300 Mbps when connected via wired method. The powerline version supports up to 1 Gbps, but he connects his TV via cable to the same router, making it act as both AP and switch. Possible causes for the issue include: 1) weak powerline signal in his electrical circuit affecting performance, 2) the 300 Mbps target exceeds the router’s capacity causing speed drops, 3) interference from other signals or duplicate SSIDs/credentials, and 4) a competing TV consuming bandwidth on the same AP. To improve things, consider switching to a wired connection for the TV, using a dedicated switch for the powerline setup, or upgrading the router’s capabilities if possible.
The goal is to extract a cable, and the plan is confirmed. He ordered a Cat6 solid copper bulk cable that’s expected to arrive. The issue arises when using the same power line with an Ethernet cable directly connected to the device—speed remains high while latency stays low.
Wireless N routers are quite outdated and generally can't handle Gigabit speeds. If your friends' gear is up-to-date and supports fiber or gigabit connections, they'll need a Wireless AC or AX router to connect properly. Trying to link a N router with modern equipment will likely slow things down. For maximum performance, get a recent router with WiFi 6 (AX) or use powerline adapters if they're functioning well.