Request New Router? No response on X

[#1]

Hey has anyone successfully requested a new router?

I've had this one years and it's knackered. The WIFI signal throughout the house has weakened to the point I can't use it upstairs.

No response on x.com DM for over a week, and I don't have signal to be phoning

[#2]

@entozoon  They claim they are 'very  busy' on social media - probably why we rarely see them on here - but now you've posted, hopefully one of the Forum Help Team will pick this up.

[#3]

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@entozoon wrote:

I've had this one years and it's knackered. The WIFI signal throughout the house has weakened ...

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Routers don't weaken or deteriorate to become knackered, they pretty much either work or they don't.

If you have WiFi problems, then perhaps you need to experiment with the router's WiFi and wireless device settings, use a mobile app that checks which WiFi channels your neighbours are using and set your router to something different, set your wireless devices to only use either 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi bands (and not automatically toggle between them), try turning the orientation of your router to alter the wireless pattern within your house, etc.

@entozoon 

What router are you using currently ?,  if it is a Hub2 then replacing it with another Hub2 is unlikely to solve anything.

You would be better off looking on Argos or Amazon for a router with good reviews, giving you more control over the WiFi settings and line quality (QoS) settings than any Plusnet supplied device,  and preferably choose one with multiple external aerials which can be adjusted to give the best wireless coverage.  Third party routers also get regular firmware updates, whereas the Plusnet Hub hasn't been updated for more than two years.

If there is little WiFi coverage upstairs, then consider getting a separate WAP (Wireless Access Point) which can be permanently positioned upstairs,  then the original router's wireless can be optimised for downstairs.  Don't bother with wireless repeaters or extenders, they tend to be temperamental and can halve speeds and double latency.

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[#4]

Thanks for the response, I appreciate the help.

I've got 'Plusnet Hub Two' and have done for over 2 years. It hasn't moved where it is but the signal on my top floor has weakened to being unusable now which is odd to me because it's a very typical terrace.

Using a third party router is a great idea, I didn't realise Plusnet was still using this old hardware because yes I can see no firmware update since then. 

I tried a powerline extender but it was annoying having a separate network and was slow anyway. Does a WAP device kinda take in WIFI from the original router and rebroadcast it?

[#5]

@entozoon 

 Have you thought about running ethernet cable upstairs with a WAP attached. Solid starting signal for WiFi from the WAP.

If needed / possible you could run the cable externally using high quality external ethernet cable. If not into DIY you can get people in to do the job. Not the cheapest option but, as stated, gives a solid starting signal wherever you put the cable.

Brian

[#6]

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@entozoon wrote:

... but the signal on my top floor has weakened to being unusable now which is odd to me because it's a very typical terrace.

So you have either moved some furniture that has reduced the WiFi signal from the router to upstairs, or your neighbour is blasting your home with their WiFi set to maximum power output (which is great for them, but not so good for you), but reduces your WiFi's bandwidth and range.

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@entozoon wrote:

I tried a powerline extender but it was annoying having a separate network and was slow anyway.

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I use powerline adaptors, but had to experiment which mains sockets (upstairs and downstairs) that they were plugged in to, to get the fastest connection.  For example, the powerline adaptor nearest to my router isn't plugged in to the mains socket next to my router, but instead I ran a 5m ethernet cable around the edge of the lounge carpet and under the skirting board (so it is invisible) to the next ring main socket outlet where the powerline network connection gave much better bandwidth.

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@entozoon wrote:

Does a WAP device kinda take in WIFI from the original router and rebroadcast it?

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No, WAPs have an ethernet socket that needs to connect via your LAN back to the router - ideally with an ethernet able, or via a powerline adaptor.

DON'T try using a WiFi repeater or extender that rebroadcast an already weak WiFi signal.

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[#7]

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@entozoon wrote:

...  I don't have signal to be phoning

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Have you tried enabling "WiFi calling" on your mobile phone ?

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[#8]

Okay all these responses have been helpful so thanks.

The main suggestions are to use ethernet cables. There are a few ancient ones in the walls that I might tap into but it is a right mess and I don't love the idea so I'll try a third party router first.

That said there are sometimes dozens of other WIFI networks nearby absolutely obliterating my signal and speed it seems so it might be a losing battle

[#9]

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@entozoon wrote:

That said there are sometimes dozens of other WIFI networks nearby absolutely obliterating my signal and speed it seems so it might be a losing battle

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On the 2.4GHz band you are really limited to using the least crowded of channels #1, 6 and 11.

It should be easier to find unused channels on the 5GHz band.

While you have a Hub2 for WiFi, where both wireless frequency bands share the same SSID name, then

either you need to force your wireless devices to use the 5GHz band only,

or you could try disabling the 2.4GHz band in the Hub2 configuration (assuming that you don't have any 2.4GHz only devices).

With a third party router and/or WAP, they usually allow separate SSID names for the different wireless frequencies, so it is much easier to get each wireless device to select either "SSID-name-2.4GHz" or "SSID-name-5GHz".

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[#10]

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@outcast wrote:

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@entozoon wrote:

That said there are sometimes dozens of other WIFI networks nearby absolutely obliterating my signal and speed it seems so it might be a losing battle

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On the 2.4GHz band you are really limited to using the least crowded of channels #1, 6 and 11.

It should be easier to find unused channels on the 5GHz band.

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It would be more accurate to say these are the only three 'nominally independent channels'.  They are the most common channels.

The reason is that a wi-fi signal spreads about 2 'channels' each way so selecting '4' would be in competition with other networks on 1 and 6, while a '1' and a '6' network should not be too bothered by each other unless there is a large disparity in power.

In an isolated house away from anyone else you could run a dual system on 3 & 9 if so desired.