Slow internet on desktop, beginner

lostone98

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Jul 25, 2018
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Hi have a desktop that runs at about 9.18 Mbps download and it should run at 61.48 (i tested it on a laptop wired, as it is in the kitchen) I have a bt infinity home hub 5. My WiFi is built in the motherboard, modal Atheros AR9485. i did a reinstall of windows 7 so it cant be bugs. i'm totally lost here
 
WiFi uses radio waves to transmit data. When you are listening to your favorite song on the radio there are 2 things that can mess it up ... being far away from the radio tower and interference. The same is true with WiFi. This why wired Ethernet is preferable to WiFi ... but sometimes we don't have a choice.

So ... first ... try to limit the distance between your WiFi router and your computer. If this is impossible and your not getting a good signal, then might need to look at getting a repeater (extender) or an access point. You might also want to look into powerline networking. When it works, it works well ... but sometimes it doesn't work.
Second ... try to limit interference. Microwaves, cordless phones, some electronics will create noise that result in a lower quality signal (and less bandwidth (speed)).

Hope this helps a bit.
 
Is your WiFi router in the kitchen? Can it be moved? The kitchen tends to be rough room for WiFi to get out of with cabinets fill with stuff and appliances on all the walls there is just more "stuff" the signal has to go through to get out (unless you have a very open floor plan).

Is your WiFi router stuffed into a corner or underneath something? Again, we want the signal to get out easily ... not always easy because WiFi routers can be ugly boxes.

Does your WiFi router have external antennas? In a perfect world the signal would radiate out from your antenna the same in all directions, but we don't live in a perfect world. The signal from most antennas goes out from the sides well, but not the top and bottom creating a kind of donut pattern. Having the antenna tip pointed toward your computer will result in a low signal. For routers with internal antennas, the same thing can happen if you put the router on it's side.

Most people don't think about it, but radio waves bounce just like light (hey, they are both on the EM spectrum). A carefully placed mirror can actually get the signal around a corner.

Finally, if none of these things work, then you may need to look into adding an access point (another WiFi emitter that is connected to the router with cable) or a repeat/extender (which takes an incoming wireless signal and repeats it wirelessly ... normally placed in a spot in between that gets a decent signal). If you have a smart phone, there are a bunch of free "wifi analyzer" apps that will measure signal strength. With that you can easily walk around and see where you have a good signal and where you don't.

If this is not viable, then powerline networking (which uses your home's powerline to carry a signal) might work. I have seen powerline units work great and I have seen them not work ... it's kind of hit and miss.

And finally, if you have attics you can work with or enjoy patching walls, you can run Ethernet cable from your router to your computer ... the best, but most difficult solution.
 
I live in a flat and its quite open so its all on the same floor, the walls are plaster board so no issue there and the box is out in the open not tucked away. No external antennas. I was thinking of a powerline as the wiring is connected to my PC to the kitchen were my hub is

what strength of powerline do i need for a speed of 61.48 Mbps
 


what brand were they if you dont mind me asking?