Posted 5 days ago

Wifi speed

Could someone give me a possible solution to this?
I subscribe to a 300Mbps internet:
- when wired using Ethernet cable, a full 300Mbps available
- using wifi (<1m), using a computer (tried with 4 different windows computers), get around 150
- using wifi (upstairs), using the same computers, get around 50
So I thought there is a fault with the router with its wifi part, BUT
- using mobile (Android), it gets 250+ anywhere in the house.

What can it be? Any suggestion on solving this?
Community Updates
New Comment

25 Comments

sorted by
's avatar
  1. adam.mt's avatar
    Device Manager - find Wi-Fi adapter- Properties. Check that both 2.4 and 5GHz modes and Wireless-AC/Ax standards are enabled. Some Intel adapters have a habit of only joining 2.4 by default. (edited)
  2. IAmATeaf's avatar
    Check the WiFi capabilities of the the computer/laptop, it’s probably got an WiFi adapter which might top out at the speed you are seeing.

    In terms of upstairs, you need to check signal strength but if your phone gets that same speed throughout the house the again it points to an old WiFi adapter in the computer
    HotDealAlert's avatar
    Author
    Thanks. My laptops are 1-5 yrs old, and when first subscribe this contract, I did have 280+ with the same laptops. No settings were changed (as far as I know)

    Just 'updated' the driver (the latest already), nothing changed so far (edited)
  3. bozo007's avatar
    I had this problem until I changed my laptop. A hardware limitation as others have mentioned. Upstairs is likely a signal issue.
  4. Freddy_uk's avatar
    Buy a dongle capable of those speeds. 150mb is a typical limit on older hardware.
  5. MonkeyMan90's avatar
    Probably a hardware limitation. 150mbps is usually the cap on "older" tech
  6. ElliottC's avatar
    If your wifi only supports a single receive radio chain, you are limited to 150 mbps given 40 MHz wide channel bandwidth. If 2 radio chains are supported, then 300 mbps is achievable, with the proviso that you set the channel bandwidth to 40 MHz.

    Regarding 5 GHz signals, they have shorter wavelengths than 2.4 GHz signals, and consequently are disadvantaged by increased attentuation through obstacles. Their higher frequencies naturally results in higher bandwidths.
  7. tardytortoise's avatar
    I agree with many of the responses so far. All I will add is a question. On the laptops with wifi at 150bps are they still functional, browsing ec? If they are, then you do not have a real problem, only a perceived one insofar as you would like them to be faster. If they are not functional then either new hardware is required (do make sure though that the laptops are communicating at the right frequencies - if I recall correctly the longer the distance from the router the higher the frequency you should be using 5ghz - but the rule might be vice-versa - needs to be checked.

    Upstairs, more than likely you are going to need some signal boosting gizmo.

    You might be able to buy some ethernet bridge adaptors that fit in your ethernet socket which would boost the speed. eg amazon.co.uk/Von…K89


    or something like this amazon.co.uk/TP-…5KI (edited)
    Paddy_o_furniture's avatar
    2.4 further at lower speed - also better at penetrating walls etc.
  8. HellRazer's avatar
    Subscribe to 150mbps internet...
  9. HotDealAlert's avatar
    Author
    Thanks for all your replies.
    1. Few months ago at the start of this package, I had 280-300mbps consistently on laptop
    2. I have checked that my laptops have both 2.4G and 5G enabled
    3. It does bother me as the speed sometimes go as low as 10 (there was once even at 0.1). Quite a lot of buffering, even need to wait to open webpages like Amazon...
    Paddy_o_furniture's avatar
    who's your provider?
  10. HotDealAlert's avatar
    Author
    thanks. do i set the speed to 100Mbps+ and optimal?
's avatar