topic Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason in Broadband

Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

flamesong — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:14:56 GMT

We are in an area which seems to be low priority for full fibre upgrade despite BTO forever shutting roads nearby. The best speed we get is about 24Mbps. Not only that, the mobile signal is virtually non-existent and since Plusnet took our landline away, we rely on WiFi calling to make phone calls.

About three weeks ago, every device in the house that browses or streams via WiFi started to suffer slow speeds and periods when there seemed to be no connection. As an example, just last night I was watching a YouTube 1080p/25 video and about half way through, it stopped and from then on I could only watch about five seconds about every 20 seconds - playback was stalling for 15 seconds. It also just took two minutes to send a message on eBay. Phone calls either do not connect or drop out.

I tried all kinds of troubleshooting, changing channels, disabling 5GHz (2.4GHz should better penetrate walls etc.), swapping the Hub Two with a similar BT model. I used a TinySA and found that parts of the house which previously could download (on a Mac Mini) at over 2MB/s had a signal which was barely 5dB above the noise floor so it was unsurprising that there were problems.

After explaining this to a Plusnet support person, I was sent a new Hub Two but after installing it yesterday and seeing that the signal was between 10 and 15dB above noise where the Mac is, found that the problems persist.

I have been scratching my head to understand what is suddenly causing the problems and it is driving me up the wall - not least because being the only person in the house with a technical bent, it falls upon me to sort it out.

I just called Plusnet again and did not feel inspired by the support I received; e.g. I was told to perform a factory reset on the Hub Two which was only installed yesterday.

I did a speed test on an iPad and an iPhone about 15" from the new Hub Two and the connection speeds were erratic varying from 0 or 800Kbps to 16Mbps so was told that that was acceptable. It kind of reminds me about connection problems I had with O2 who phoned me, the phone rang but cut off as soon as I answered and was told that because my phone rang, it proved I had a signal - just because I might get an occasional burst of 16Mbps does not mean I have a functional connection and as the problems have occurred in close proximity of three routers, I kind of suspect that it isn't actually the WiFi - though I note that all three routers' firmware has been updated recently according the the web interface.

I've ordered some Powerline adapters but because the router is necessarily on the ground floor and most devices are upstairs and on a different circuit, I'm kind of expecting them not to work.

I've lived here for 16 years, nothing much has changed with the layout and I've had problems before but nothing like this.

A bit of a ramble but it was difficult to explain in a straight line.

I'd be grateful if anybody has any thoughts.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

jab1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:54:59 GMT

As a start, @flamesong , can you attach a screenshot of your Technical Log - Information page, obscuring personal details?

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

bmc — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:04:52 GMT

@flamesong

Can't help with your specific problem.

However, have you checked recently if OR have any plans for your address. Note that it's possible their build plans only go up to the end of 2026. I've not heard anything definitive about 27 and beyond.

www.openreach.co.uk

Brian

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

ExForce9 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:54:50 GMT

To slightly refine @bmc's point,

When checking the various Openreach checkers for the status of the Full Fibre build program rollout,

it appears that the Openreach schedule for the next 12 months, is typically updated in March and October,

therefore the furthest date projections that say -

"We'll be building here soon, with services available in the next 12 months"

are probably up to March 2027.

So @flamesong if you haven't check your full fibre rollout since the end of March 2026, then check it again, alternatively, if you let us know your postcode, then somebody could check whether a non-Openreach full fibre network can connect you sooner.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

ExForce9 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:10:31 GMT

@flamesong wrote:

About three weeks ago, every device in the house that browses or streams via WiFi started to suffer slow speeds and periods when there seemed to be no connection.

I'd be grateful if anybody has any thoughts.

Do you happen to have new neighbours, or have your neighbours changed their internet ?, as their WiFi might be interfering with yours.

Do you have any electronics in your house that is playing up ?, as things like plug-in mains adaptors and chargers can oscillate when failing at similar frequencies to both VDSL broadband, and 2.4GHz WiFi.

Do you have any wireless home automation monitors or controllers, as they wirelessly share the same frequencies as WiFi, but won't appear on a WiFi spectrum monitor app.

Do you have any ethernet connected computers, so you can test the internet connection while the WiFi is apparently being slow ?

Consider setting up a (free) ThinkBroadband Broadband Quality Monitor to see whether your internet is doing anything odd at the times you observe WiFi issues.

I don't have Apple devices, my question is, can you tell when an iPhone is doing a cloud backup ? as that could cause the symptoms you are describing, especially if your FTTC upload speed is less than about 5Mbps.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

jab1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:19:04 GMT

@ExForce9 wrote:

I don't have Apple devices, my question is, can you tell when an iPhone is doing a cloud backup ? as that could cause the symptoms you are describing, especially if your FTTC upload speed is less than about 5Mbps.

@ExForce9 I don't know about other peoples equipment, or how they have it set up, but my iPhone and iPad only do backups when they are plugged in - either to my laptop or the mains - unless I force a backup - which I don't, if they are not connected.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

flamesong — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:33:04 GMT

I had to swap the Hub Two over because although it said in the web interface that it was connected, all devices said that it was not and it was impossible to connect to anything - BBC News is my go to test site but nothing was loading.

This is the Technical Log since the swap. I note that it shows a data rate of over 28Mbps, I assume that this is either theoretical or a peak speed.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

jab1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:38:32 GMT

@flamesong Because you have done it as an embedded image, rather than an attachment, I have asked for it to be released so we can see it - I'll keep a lookout for it tomorrow.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

flamesong — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:40:51 GMT

@bmc @ExForce9

I regularly check to see if there is any update on when we might get full fibre but depressingly it always says that they have no plans. As I think mentioned in another thread I started, I saw a Starlink box in our communal skip a few months ago, annoyingly just after my Plusnet contract was renewed and there was a special offer for UK customers at the time - so I'm not the only one frustrated at the pedestrian internet speed - just that mine is even worse right now.

When I spoke to Plusnet the first time about the current issue, they checked for me but their answer was no different.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

flamesong — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:59:42 GMT

My neighbours (there is only one house adjoining ours and the others are 100ft away) are away at the moment (I'm feeding their fish) and there is nothing switched on. Most of the time, I only see my network when I open WiFi preferences but sometimes, I see an office network but it is about 75ft away.

I mentioned that I checked with a TinySA (spectrum analyser - it's not an app) and when the router is off, around 2.4GHz there is only noise at about -90dB and in the room I am in now, right above the Hub Two, the signal peaks at about -65dB. There is nothing else. Around 5GHz, the signal is about -55dB and noise is about -85dB.

The only remote switches I have operate directly through WiFi not adjacent to it.

The only Ethernet device I have is a desktop at the opposite end of the house and a floor up.

I don't use iCloud except for syncing notes, calendars and addresses so the traffic is minimal.

I'll look into Broadband Quality Monitor.

Tomorrow, I should get the Powerline adapters so I hope that should improve things but the former radio mechanic in me wants to know what the problem is.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

flamesong — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:00:54 GMT

Sorry, my mistake.

Here it is again.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

jab1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:07:03 GMT

No problem, @flamesong . A quick look before I log off for the night just shows one thing for me, which I don't think is related to your problem - the D/S SNR appears a little low for your attenuation.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

ExForce9 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 23:34:54 GMT

@flamesong

I think you have two problems.

While I sleep on what to suggest, what other new and old networking kit do you have available, or could get access to,

such as modems, routers, wireless access points, etc.

If you could list make and model numbers, then that would be helpful.

With your "former radio mechanic" mindset, can you think about what is it about your phone socket wiring setup, that is knocking out the low frequency end of your VDSL signals, as something is unusual with your upload speeds.

I don't think there is anything wrong with your download SNR being that low (as @jab1 suggested).

Can you post a screenshot of the results table from the BT Broadband Availability Checker for your connection, but being careful not to accidentally include your phone number or address that appears above the purple table.

If you could get the Broadband Quality Monitor setup, then that can only add to the tools available to us.

If your Plusnet connection has a static WAN IP address then setup is easy, but if you have a dynamic WAN IP address, then you will also need to configure your router's DDNS settings and add the DDNS hostname to the ThinkBroadband BQM settings.

If you want me to search if any AltNet (non-Openreach) full fibre or 'fixed wireless' networks are available to you, then PM me your postcode, and I'll see if I can find anything.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

flamesong — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:05:32 GMT

I've got the two other Hub Two routers plus a couple of other junk Plusnet routers and a once top end Netgear router that I had to stop using for reasons I can't remember.

My upload speeds seem to be in the vicinity of the advertised speed, it is ADSL after all.

I've got a busy day tomorrow as I have to take my other half to collect a car then we are probably going to have to socialise in the evening. The Powerline kit (TP-Link - 2x TL-WPA4220 and 1x TL-PA4010) should arrive tomorrow so before anything, on Sunday, I'm going to test whether I have wasted my money (only £30 second hand).

That said, the Hub Two is connected directly to the master socket and since we don't have a landline anymore, there is nothing else connected to the phone circuit.

Regarding possible alternative fibre connections, believe me, I've searched. I've been promised 120Mbps by many providers when I've entered my postcode in comparison sites but when I click 'more details' and go to their website, it boils down to the same speed I'm getting now. It's extra frustrating because we are about 300m from the local exchange yet homes a mile away actually get full fibre from it but because we are on a minor road with just a few houses, we are not a priority.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

ExForce9 — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 09:05:43 GMT

@flamesong wrote:

I've got a busy day tomorrow ...

Understood.

Many of us on here are around most days, so when you are ready just ask.

@flamesong wrote:

I've got the two other Hub Two routers ...

They might be useful to reconfigure as Wireless Access Points, to provide better WiFi coverage.

@flamesong wrote:

I've got ... ...a couple of other junk Plusnet routers

Do you have the previous Plusnet Hub One ?

In my opinion, the Plusnet Hub has better broadband handling than your Plusnet Hub Two, but might have less WiFi range.

Given that I believe you have two issues, your WiFi coverage is problematic, and you have a broadband issue due to the very low upload speed. If these issues are handled separately, then potentially you could use a Plusnet Hub One to act as your broadband modem and router, but use one or more reconfigured Plusnet Hub Two's as wireless access points for better WiFi.

@flamesong wrote:

I've got ... ... a once top end Netgear router that I had to stop using for reasons I can't remember.

I would be interested to know the exact model of that, as that has the potential for being even better than the Hub One as your broadband gateway.

@flamesong wrote:

My upload speeds seem to be in the vicinity of the advertised speed, it is ADSL after all.

No it's not ADSL !.

The modem stats you posted yesterday show a VDSL2+ connection.

On a VDSL2+ connection having a 2.1Mbps upload speed paired with a 29Mbps download speed, the upload is unusually low.

Typically the upload:download speed ratio should be 1:4, but 1:5 or 1:6 will also work well.

Your ratio is almost 1:14, so when you use most of your download bandwidth, the up channel handshaking (to regulate the download speed) can overwhelm the upload path, causing the buffering symptoms you were describing.

To cure your buffering problem, we either need to get your upload speed improved significantly, and/or manage your outwards broadband traffic so that the upload link doesn't get overwhelmed (something that might be possible to do with your Netgear router).

@flamesong wrote:

The Powerline kit (TP-Link - 2x TL-WPA4220 and 1x TL-PA4010) should arrive tomorrow so before anything, on Sunday, I'm going to test whether I have wasted my money (only £30 second hand).

Assuming that they work, what were your plans for these ?

Be aware that some powerline adaptors interfere with VDSL broadband signals, so avoid plugging these in anywhere close to your phone line, or next to your broadband router. I use powerline adaptors, but my nearest one to the VDSL2+ modem and incoming phone line, is deliberately plugged in via a long ethernet cable to the next nearest mains socket over 3 metres away to avoid RF problems.

@flamesong wrote:

... the Hub Two is connected directly to the master socket and since we don't have a landline anymore, there is nothing else connected to the phone circuit.

Does that imply that there is phone extension wiring connected to the back of the master socket faceplate ?

As a point of reference, it would be useful if you could plug your Plusnet Hub Two in to the TEST socket located behind the master socket faceplate, and then take a screenshot of the line characteristics (as you did previously), to eliminate the possibility of any issues with your master socket faceplate that might be causing your low upload speed.

@flamesong wrote:

The only Ethernet device I have is a desktop at the opposite end of the house and a floor up.

How is the desktop connected at the moment ?

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

Dan_the_Van — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 09:35:17 GMT

@flamesong

Having access to a Hub One would have it's benefits as this allows 'routerestats' to be used. This monitors Hubs One Help page and details how the DSL link is performing. Handy for identifying REIN on the physical connection.

Downside with the Hub One not supporting ICMP for BQM would need a wired (not WiFi) device assigned to the DMZ.

With regards to the powerline adapter, although moving the adapter away from the Hub has its gains, it must be remembered that every powerline in the house (lights, ring mains, cooker) is transporting the powerline RF signal.

The TL-WPA422 are 2.4GHz band device only, I found them to be reliable, for future reference; they only support up to 100Mbps speeds as the LAN port on the is hardware restricted, but with 2.4GHz band is not an issue, you'd only get a max WiFi speed of around 72Mbps, just the wired speed would be restricted.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

flamesong — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 10:10:42 GMT

I'm setting off shortly but a quick reply.

It looks like the Powerline kit will not arrive until Monday do I'm not going to mess around with anything until I've tested it.

I may have a Hub One. There was a problem with the Netgear router which is why I don't use it but I can't remember what it was.

When I threw in ADSL, I was thinking only in terms of it being Asymmetric. For whatever reason, the dpecification

20-27Mb estimated download speed

18.2Mb minimum guaranteed speed

2.0Mb estimated upload speed

Yes, there are phone extension sockets.

The desktop is connected via WiFi due to it not being able to connect it via Ethernet.

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

flamesong — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 10:20:27 GMT

I know the limitations of Powerlines and 2.4GHz but they are academic when my download speed is a fraction of their capacity. I tried to explain this to the Plusnet customer service person but they kept repeating 'but 5GHz is faster' like Nigel Tufnel.

The data coming down the phone line is limited to a maximum of 28Mbps. Until recently, it only ever reached 24Mbps (the Mac would show ~2MB/s).

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

pvmb — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 10:55:21 GMT

@flamesong

"I used a TinySA and found that parts of the house which previously could download (on a Mac Mini) at over 2MB/s had a signal which was barely 5dB above the noise floor so it was unsurprising that there were problems."

So, seemingly, something has recently increased the background noise level.

What has changed in your enviroment recently? New electrical fittings? Any new devices? New LED lights? Anything using a plug in power adaptor? Smart meter installed?

Have you gone round turning off power to devices at the mains to see if any may be causing interference? When replacing the router did you also use the new power adaptor that came with it?

Re: Wifi connection problems for no apparent reason

ExForce9 — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 10:59:56 GMT

@flamesong wrote:

... the Powerline kit will not arrive until Monday do I'm not going to mess around with anything until I've tested it.

Once you have tested them, consider fitting one of them next to the desktop so that you can connect the desktop with ethernet.

When trying to fix your broadband buffering issues, we will need to reliably test latency on your connection.

Testing latency via WiFi is inconsistent - even if forcing use of 5GHz and standing next to the router.

To test latency properly, ideally you'd connect an ethernet connected PC directly in to a LAN port on the router.

As your desktop is the only ethernet device you have, and is located on the opposite side of the house,

the options (only for testing) are -

Buy a cheap and very long CAT5e ethernet cable, and run it across the house between desktop and router.
Temporarily move the desktop to the same room as the router and connect a short ethernet cable
Leave the desktop upstairs, but connect it via the powerline adaptors to the ethernet port - this isn't great for latency testing but would probably be adequate (and infinitely better than using WiFi). Also you could leave the powerline adaptor permanently connected there, as the ethernet connection would likely be better than WiFi and the plug itself would provide WiFi to any other devices in that room.

@flamesong wrote:

Yes, there are phone extension sockets.

That could easily explain why your broadband upload speed is so low, and even more reason to test your router's DSL line stats when connected to the hidden TEST socket behind the master socket faceplate.

@flamesong wrote:

When I threw in ADSL, I was thinking only in terms of it being Asymmetric.

Fair enough, that is entirely understandable.

@flamesong wrote:

There was a problem with the Netgear router which is why I don't use it but I can't remember what it was.

It would be helpful if you could remember what the problem was, as using a Netgear router has a better chance of fixing your broadband connection issue than any of the Plusnet routers, without spending any money on new equipment.