Horrific Wifi Speeds - adding in TP Link AX72

[#1]

Hi All, 

Plusnet customer service has been faultless, however we have established the plusnet router is just horrific for my needs. Ethernet link up from router to my laptop gives 1000mb... as soon as i convert to wifi im lucky if i get 150mb. 

Basic things like nettflix, sky, teams calls all really struggle. I wont even talk about my ring devices and smart bulbs that work intermittently!

I was recommended to to buy a better router and link up to the plusnet router. However i am under the impression this isnt just a simple plug and go type thing!

Would anyone please be able to point me in the direction of where i get step by step instructions for this please.

Thanks in advance, from an incredibly frustrated plusnet user who has to let her dogs out for a wee in the dark at night as my smartbulbs wont connect to the wifi! 

[#2]

I suggest you pick up the phone to the person that recommended the AX72 and tell them to come and get it installed.

Make sure they do not leave until it is working perfectly and the configuration is fully documented and comprehended.

Recommending an AX72 to a person without a solid networking background is reckless advice.

[#3]

Ah! That's interesting! Unsure how i would get hold of the person i spoke to at Plusnet again? He was due to follow up with a call on Monday after i tried the ethernet cable test, but i didn't hear back. Have just been so bonkers busy at work haven't had an opportunity to schedule the 20th call with them!

[#4]

@mariavmcdonald 

Would anyone please be able to point me in the direction of where i get step by step instructions for this please.

I suggest you take the simple approach. Download the AX72 user guide (https://static.tp-link.com/upload/manual/2024/202403/20240318/1910013025_Archer%20AX72_UG_REV1.0.1.p...) or refer to a printed copy if one came with the router. Confiure the AX72 as an access point , see section 4.4. Connect the AX72 WAN port to a LAN port on the Hub 2 with an Ethernet cable. I would then suggest you also login to the Hub 2 and disable its wireless so it doesnt interfere with the AX72.

[#5]

Thats great advice, thank you! its not due to be here until Monday = so was just trying to get myself prepared, but will do this, thank you! 

[#6]

@mariavmcdonald 

TP-Link provide a "tether app" which allows for simpler configuration of their products; see https://www.tp-link.com/uk/tether/ for more details and link to download to a smart phone or tablet.

[#7]

I have that! I have TP Link wifi extenders, as the original plusnet guy who came and plugged my router in suggested i get them... not that they have done any good!

[#8]

How many other 'wifi' things have you got that might be creating their own networks ?

Tryying to sort a neighbour I found a multitude conflicting and either blotting each other out or not routing back correctly.

A Sky network linking remote boxes and the main box to the router (maybe, or did it sometimes use the wifi plug - or the data-over-mains)

A TP wireless plug doing both wifi and data-over-mains (that knew about the Sky network but only hard wired to BT-EE)

Wifi phones (as EE could not make BT-Voice IP work)

Apple wifi

The actual router (EE) wifi and a booster

It was a bit like a wired network where someone unplugs things and plugs them back in at random overnight !

[#9]

I mean probably quite a few.

However never had this issue with my previous provider?

[#10]

The RF pattern of your previous ruoter will differ from the new Plusnet one

In the neighbours case a move from windowisll to top of bookcase 'rearranged' the wifi links into something that worked.

So I left it alone at that point !

[#11]

Sadly mine is in a coat cupboard, its a relatively new build so all the comms stuff went in there!

[#12]

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@mariavmcdonald wrote:

Hi All, 

Plusnet customer service has been faultless, however we have established the plusnet router is just horrific for my needs. Ethernet link up from router to my laptop gives 1000mb... Ethernet link up from router to my laptop gives 1000mb. 

I suspect there may be some misunderstanding here.

 "Ethernet link up from router to my laptop gives 1000mb". Does it really? Or is that simply the reported speed capability (1 Gbps) of the router and PC's Ethernet ports? Firstly, what is your current PN contracted FF speed at the router? - that is what really counts.

---

 "as soon as i convert to wifi im lucky if i get 150mb." Is that on the Hub 2's 5GHz or 2.4GHz Wi-Fi? If 150Mbps it sounds as if it could be the 2.4 GHz link to me. In which case it seems a perfectly decent speed. If you want a higher speed Wi-Fi link you need to use the 5Ghz link, which is what I do. However, if you are using some devices that only work on 2.4GHz that could be more of a problem.

"Basic things like nettflix, sky, teams calls all really struggle. I wont even talk about my ring devices and smart bulbs that work intermittently!" - Most of those things, by themselves and even together, should work perfectly on say a 150 Mbps FF connection. So, assuming your FF is working OK it sounds to me you are likely suffering from congestion on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi link to the router.

[#13]

 "Ethernet link up from router to my laptop gives 1000mb". Does it really? Or is that simply the reported speed capability (1 Gbps) of the router and PC's Ethernet ports? Firstly, what is your current PN contracted FF speed at the router? - that is what really counts.

Well, the test i was asked to run was plug the ethernet cable in to the router, then in to my laptop directly, and check the speed that way. Im on the fasted package plusnet provide.

 "as soon as i convert to wifi im lucky if i get 150mb." Is that on the Hub 2's 5GHz or 2.4GHz Wi-Fi? If 150Mbps it sounds as if it could be the 2.4 GHz link to me. In which case it seems a perfectly decent speed. If you want a higher speed Wi-Fi link you need to use the 5Ghz link, which is what I do. However, if you are using some devices that only work on 2.4GHz that could be more of a problem.

Im not going to lie, i have no idea what you mean? How would i know which one its on?

I do have some smart bulb devices that only work on 2.4GHz i know that! I originally connected them to the TP link wifi extenders i have, which i can switch to 2.4GHz only.

"Basic things like nettflix, sky, teams calls all really struggle. I wont even talk about my ring devices and smart bulbs that work intermittently!" - Most of those things, by themselves and even together, should work perfectly on say a 150 Mbps FF connection. So, assuming your FF is working OK it sounds to me you are likely suffering from congestion on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi link to the router.

So i am assuming, even putting a new router in, wouldnt resolve this?

[#14]

@mariavmcdonald 

I am on the Full Fibre 900 product.

The weaker the wifi signal the slower the connection speed. 

WiFi speed can be limited by thes device network adapter, for a 5GHz signal my HP laptop only give me around 300 Mbps download speedtest. WiFi 6 devices (pixel 7 or Samsung table) both give me around 600 Mbps on a speedtest, these would be connected to 5 GHz with a strong signal.

A linux system with a wired speedtest give me up to 950 Mbps.

The hub two ->Home -->My Devices page details 2.4 and 5 GHz connections.

A speedtest of 150 Mbps is likely to be a 5GHz connection, a 2.4Ghz speed is likely be half that speed for a strong signal.

EDIT: As you are Full Fibre I would consider replacing the Hub Two with the TP-Link AX72. This router will allow you to split the 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi names which may help with older 2.4GHz only devices. NOT that I have ever found it necessary to do so.

[#15]

Hey Dan,

Thanks for reply! 

So use the TP Router instead of the Hub 2 completely? As opposed to linking the two up?