TP-Link TD-W8970 issues

[LeeT]

Hey Guys

Recently brought a TP-Link TD-W8970 modem router to replace the modem router that was supplied with my ISP (plusnet).

It was working fine up until this week when i noticed the internet would completely cut off around 10-11pm normally but sometimes random, i would then leave it as it is until the next morning and everything is fine again, without restarting it.

Another issue that also crops up every now and then is extreme latency spikes while playing online games.

Our wireless network is set up so that the modem router connects to the main bt phone line socket in one of the bedrooms, then we have a wifi extender (netgear WN3000RP) in the hall so that the rooms on the otherside of the house can connect. we have thick walls in our house which doesnt help.

My question is how can i get a reliable connection throughout the whole house. Is the router playing up, the wifi extender? (by the way the wifi extender has the same name as the router (SSID) i dont know if this conflicts with it).

I thought about replacing the wifi extender for a dual band one, can i do this even though i dont have a dual band modem router?

Also thought about using powerline adapters for the PC's in our house, are they reliable?

Other info:

running on copper
have an old non rj45 mains telephone socket
expected to get around 6-7mb we get 3-4mb
we get decent signal strenght throughout the whole house average 4 bars and my pc has 300mb link speed.
tried changing the wifi channels no difference

Thanks

Lee

 

[digitaldoc]

Your Netgear extender is functioning as a repeater. These tend to have issues, and even when working cut your bandwidth in half.

You would be better off having a secondary access point that is wired to your network somehow. Ideally this should be done over CAT 5e wiring. As a second option, there are Powerline kits that can also provide a 2nd wifi access point. Below is such a kit:

http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-WPA4220T+KIT

 

[LeeT]

Thanks for the suggestion, i will look into this, as wiring is a bit inconvenient im looking at powerline with wifi however will the wifi part still act as a repeater if i dont hook it up to the router?

 

[digitaldoc]

The advantage of the kit I suggested is that it combines a Powerline kit and an access point. This means that the Powerline will connect to the router, providing a wired connection to the access point. This allow the access point to function at full speed as it is not a repeater.

 

[LeeT]

Thank you, i will definitely give this a shot