cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Variable wireless speed

philipdp
Dabbler
Posts: 11
Thanks: 4
Registered: ‎27-10-2018

Variable wireless speed

I have a Hub 2 with 900Mbps broadband.  I appreciate that the maximum wireless speeded I should expect is around 400Mbps but I I'm getting huge swings. On my PC (which never moves ) download speed is sometimes as low as 80Mbps and as high as 450Mbps.  Similarly with my phone and laptop, although these move around the house.  In all cases , if I disconnect them from Wi-Fi then reconnect I get a fast speed (typically 350+Mbps)

I seldom have more than two or three devices connected at the same time.

If the issue just occurred with one device I would understand that the problem might be with the relevant network adapter, but it's happening with all  three.  I have tried restarting the router and the problem persists.

Can anyone suggest a cause and possible solution, please?  Do I simply need a request a replacement Hub?

Thanks

11 REPLIES 11
DJMcKenzie87
Grafter
Posts: 38
Thanks: 14
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎12-07-2024

Re: Variable wireless speed

The wireless speed you experience is contingent upon the link connection speed established between your device and the router via Wi-Fi, rather than the broadband line speeds provisioned from the exchange to your premises.
Plusnet Hub2WiFi Hub IPv6 Status:Enabled IPv6 network status:Enabled

IPv6 WAN detailsGlobal unicast address: AvailableGlobal unicast prefix /56 length:AvailableLink local address:AvailableRemote link local address:AvailableDNS:IPv4 only

GUI version:1.9 16_08_2022
Firmware version:v0.10.00.04201-PN
DJMcKenzie87
Grafter
Posts: 38
Thanks: 14
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎12-07-2024

Re: Variable wireless speed

It appears that a common point of confusion for many individuals is the distinction between Wi-Fi speeds and broadband speeds, a observation I've frequently encountered in various discussions over time.
Plusnet Hub2WiFi Hub IPv6 Status:Enabled IPv6 network status:Enabled

IPv6 WAN detailsGlobal unicast address: AvailableGlobal unicast prefix /56 length:AvailableLink local address:AvailableRemote link local address:AvailableDNS:IPv4 only

GUI version:1.9 16_08_2022
Firmware version:v0.10.00.04201-PN
philipdp
Dabbler
Posts: 11
Thanks: 4
Registered: ‎27-10-2018

Re: Variable wireless speed

Thanks.  So is there anything I can do to stabilise the link connection speed or establish what is causing the variance?

Dan_the_Van
Superuser
Superuser
Posts: 4,397
Thanks: 2,699
Fixes: 128
Registered: ‎25-06-2007

Re: Variable wireless speed

@philipdp 

The variations off WiFi speed will be directly related to the WiFi frequency the device has connected to.

I see this with my HP laptop speedtest of around 70 Mbps for 2.4GHz with around 350 Mbps for 5GHz

Looking at the Hub management ->Home -->My devices will display which frequency a device has connected

Ideally you need to set the device preference to use 5GHZ where possible..

Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.

HPsauce
All Star
Posts: 7,295
Thanks: 354
Fixes: 5
Registered: ‎02-02-2008

Re: Variable wireless speed

The Hub2 is particularly annoying in that it forces the same SSID for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, unlike Hub1.

In the end, for my main desktop PC (which connects via WiFi) I disabled the default (which would switch randomly) and purchased a new WiFi adapter where I could definitely control which band it used.

Dan_the_Van
Superuser
Superuser
Posts: 4,397
Thanks: 2,699
Fixes: 128
Registered: ‎25-06-2007

Re: Variable wireless speed

@HPsauce 

The Hub2 is particularly annoying in that it forces the same SSID for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands

I would point out this is not an issue unique to the Hub two, I occasionally see it with my TP-Link router, it's more likely the network adapter of the device.

In most situations I rarely notice the speed drop.

Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.

jab1
The Full Monty
Posts: 22,904
Thanks: 8,043
Fixes: 337
Registered: ‎24-02-2012

Re: Variable wireless speed

Not that it helps, but my Fritz!Box 7530 also uses the same SSID for both frequencies.

John
Jones
Dabbler
Posts: 18
Thanks: 6
Registered: ‎21-05-2025

Re: Variable wireless speed

@jab1 ,

I can give the two WiFi frequencies different SSIDs on our FRITZ!Box 4050 in Settings > WiFi > WiFi Network > Additional Settings for the Wi-Fi Network.

It might be possible on your 7530. Yours is a posher box than ours!

jab1
The Full Monty
Posts: 22,904
Thanks: 8,043
Fixes: 337
Registered: ‎24-02-2012

Re: Variable wireless speed

@Jones It probably is possible, although my box is a Zen 'special', with some of the 'vanilla' options disabled. However, as it works as expected - picking the correct bands for the attached kit - I have no desire or need to tweak it.

John
DJMcKenzie87
Grafter
Posts: 38
Thanks: 14
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎12-07-2024

Re: Variable wireless speed

I currently utilize the RT-AX86 Router with an RT-AX59u as a mesh node system, integrated with the RT-AX86 Router. https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-routers/asus-gaming-routers/rt-ax86u/
Plusnet Hub2WiFi Hub IPv6 Status:Enabled IPv6 network status:Enabled

IPv6 WAN detailsGlobal unicast address: AvailableGlobal unicast prefix /56 length:AvailableLink local address:AvailableRemote link local address:AvailableDNS:IPv4 only

GUI version:1.9 16_08_2022
Firmware version:v0.10.00.04201-PN
PhilipHeyes
Pro
Posts: 319
Thanks: 127
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎10-11-2021

Re: Variable wireless speed

The #1 reason for variable Wi-Fi performance is failure to install enough Wi-Fi Access points.

In our 10 room home we have an ISP Router + 2 Wi-Fi Access Points & Ethernet sockets in 4 rooms.

A few hundred invested in home networking is a bargain vs the cost of his & her iPhone, games consoles, top end TVs & PCs etc etc !