Improving WiFi signal stability in a dorm room.

[raccooncd1]

Hello everyone.

First of all I should say that my IT skills and knowledge are definitely low so excuse me if I miss out some important info concerning my problem. Secondly, English is not my native language and I apologize for any mistakes beforehand.

My problem is that I can't get a stable Internet connection in my student dormitory room. The dorm provides a free network for all students and its not that bad in terms of overall speed but I can't play multiplayer videogames at all because of one very specific issue. Whenever I play online (this happens in R6: Siege, Overwatch, Battlefield 1 and several other titles) my ping randomly skyrockets up to several thousands ms which, of course, results in being kicked from the match. It happens at random regardless of time of the day or day of the week (the network should have less strain on weekends since most students go to their homes). I've also noticed same lack of stability when downloading something (the download speed drops to zero randomly for half a minute and then regains speed).

Now to the details:
I use Lenovo Y520 laptop. I've tested it with other wireless networks and they worked flawlessly so I'm confident the problem is not in the laptop's wireless card.

This network is the only option in the dorm. It is also my only option overall (USB Internet is too expensive in Czech Republic and I can't move from the dorm).

I don't have access to the router and don't even know where it is located. Probably, in the hallway.

I lack competence to say how exactly the WiFi is distributed throughout the dorm. It is accessible in the whole eight-story building of the dormitory and several spots across the city, such as libraries and uni buildings. Network name is always the same in any spot and is connected to via unique login and password provided to every student personally. When you log-in there is no browser popup, you enter your login and password in the Windows 'connect to network' (sorry for wording here, I don't know how to put it correctly).

Here are copypasted network properties (I've excluded stuff like IPv addresses and network name to avoid possible conflict with my beloved authoritarian uni. There were precedents of students banned from the network for ridiculous stuff like creating a laptop hotspot while connected to the network. So, you know, just in case.):

Protocol: 802.11ac
Security type: WPA2-Enterprise
Type of sign-in info: Microsoft: Protected EAP (PEAP)
Network band: 5 GHz
Network channel: 132
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Description: Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
Driver version: 19.50.0.11

I've also noticed that Protocol varies between 802.11n and 802.11ac and Network band is also sometimes switches from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz and vice versa. Can't say if there is any pattern to these changes.

Thank you for reading this post. And probably for answering to it as well

Update: Of course, I've tried looking for answer to my question before posting it here. I've decided to write the post mostly because of how the dorm's network is distributed (I guess this type of network is more rare than simple 'connect to hotspot and put your login password into the browser popup' type.).

 

[RealBeast]

Unfortunately, high density environments like dorms usually have way too many users for the available bandwidth, as they were implemented before the exponential increase in bandwidth demand. And it will be much worse if they allow individuals to attach their own routers, which will simply create a lot more interference for others.

I would just take a quick look at what radio signals are around with either a free phone app, or THIS free PC app just to have some idea of how many radios are within range of you, although they will not indicate the users on each.

You will probably never get a gaming quality connection, but with a bit of luck you can try the signals that appear stronger.

In the end your best course would be to discuss it with the network administrator as more capacity is likely needed.

 

[raccooncd1]

Unfortunately, high density environments like dorms usually have way too many users for the available bandwidth, as they were implemented before the exponential increase in bandwidth demand. And it will be much worse if they allow individuals to attach their own routers, which will simply create a lot more interference for others.

I would just take a quick look at what radio signals are around with either a free phone app, or THIS free PC app just to have some idea of how many radios are within range of you, although they will not indicate the users on each.

You will probably never get a gaming quality connection, but with a bit of luck you can try the signals that appear stronger.

In the end your best course would be to discuss it with the network administrator as more capacity is likely needed.

Thank you so much for your answer!

Unfortunately, talking to system administrator isn't really an option since we don't have one. Our dorm manager seems to outsource all the possible network problems to some IT company but she doesn't think that bad connection quality is an actual issue.

I surely will check out the InSSider app and see if it helps. Can you please provide any tips on how to use it effectively? And, by the way, can I use it to 'try different signals' as you suggested or do I need to do it with another app/windows settings?

Also, I was thinking about buying some kind of 'Signal enhancer' devices but not really sure if these will work at all since I can't reach the router physically nor I have login and password for it (as far as I understand, the password that I use to connect to the network and the router password are two different things).

 

[RealBeast]

A signal enhancer won't help if your wireless is overloaded with users. Your dorm manager sounds like the problem.

Not having support while also not knowing what equipment is used makes it impossible to guess at a solution (that may not exist).

With inSSIDer at least you can see if there are any strong signals near you, although they are probably used by too many clients to give you any speed.

You may need to find an area in the dorm (or library or other spot) that has a reasonable speed to transact any necessary work. Welcome to the low bandwidth high user environment.