Internet speed issues with a Netcomm powerline adapter

[lawrencejkparsons]

I recently bought a powerline adapter, and I’ve been having some issues with slow internet speeds.

I initially connected the two adapters from outlets in the same room, with the computer side one attached to my laptop. When I got the connection working, I moved the computer side adapter to my room and connected it to my computer - and I thought the problem was solved. I was briefly getting a 40 Mbps download speed on Origin, and figuring it was working, left my game to download. When I returned about four minutes later, without having touched or changed any setting, the speed had dropped to about 1.3 Mbps and was dropping even further before my eyes. It reached about 700Kbps when I decided to try using the ‘simple connect’ button again to reconnect it. This didn’t work in my room, so I moved back to the same room as my router and reconnected there. It seemed to be working, but the download speed was still around 1 Mbps.

The router side adapter has a solid green power light, and the other two lights are flickering green. Same for the computer side adapter. Both adapters are plugged directly into the wall, not into a surge protector or anything.It does indeed seem to be connected, and the Netcomm utility I downloaded displays the following in regard to it's speed:

I purchased the powerline because the wifi in my room is so slow, but now it’s even slower than my wifi.

I’ve tried:

• 
  ■ Resetting my modem
  ■ Restarting my computer
  ■ Installing the Netcomm utility
  ■ Updating the firmware through the utiliy

EDIT: before posting this, I left for two hours. When I came back, a series of downloads that it had said would take 17 hours to complete had finished, and this was the result of a speed test:

Minutes later, I tried to download another game, and it again was downloading at around 700Kbps. The same speed test then showed this:

So... is this just 'normal' fluctuation in speed? 40Mbps vs 700Kbps seems to be a fairly extreme fluctuation, if so. Is something else the culprit? Is there anything I can do to stop this extreme fluctuation and get a more normal, steady speed?

 

[RealBeast]

You bought an ancient 200Mbs pair of adapters, return them if you can. They simply do not work well and are subject to interference far more than the modern units.

Your actual experience with downloads is accurate, their tools are not.

The only adapters to buy are the AV2-1000/1200 MIMO models that get real world speeds over 200Mbps consistently with very low latency. Any of THESE will give you much faster and consistent performance. They are also far less susceptible to interference from large electric motors on the circuit. AFAIK all of the newer AV2 models come in all plug and voltage standards.

 

[lawrencejkparsons]

You bought an ancient 200Mbs pair of adapters, return them if you can. They simply do not work well and are subject to interference far more than the modern units.

Your actual experience with downloads is accurate, their tools are not.

The only adapters to buy are the AV2-1000/1200 MIMO models that get real world speeds over 200Mbps consistently with very low latency. Any of THESE will give you much faster and consistent performance. They are also far less susceptible to interference from large electric motors on the circuit. AFAIK all of the newer AV2 models come in all plug and voltage standards.

Thanks very much for your fast reply.

I can't return them, and I can't buy a $70+ adapter at this minute. Without buying another adapter, is there anything I can do to get better speeds, or do I just have to cop it? I don't need 200Mbps, any level of improvement I could get would be good.

 

[kanewolf]

Read this article -- https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/basics/lanwan-basics/32769-how-to-troubleshoot-your-powerline-network Although it is kind of old, the concepts are still appropriate.

 

[RealBeast]

One big issue is to insure that anything with an electric motor is not on the same circuit, and it you cannot avoid that then put the device with the motor on 1-2 meter extension cord, which will suppress its interference.

Also, no power strips.

If it is something big like a refrigerator, be sure to use an adequately sized extension (at least 12 gauge and not longer than 2 meters) but things like floor fans can use typical 18 gauge indoor cords.

And definitely read Kanewolf's link.

 

[lawrencejkparsons]

Many thanks to both of you I now have it set up so that at both ends, both adapters are the only thing plugged into that outlet and, knock on wood, I seem to be getting faster speed more consistently. Thanks again!