Wi-fi broadband strength solution

[paddyc]

Hey guys

Have the problem where the wi fi router is in my living room at the front of the house and the boys playing on the PS4 at the back of the house complaining about the wi-fi buffering/ poor strength so cannot play their games.

Does anyone know a quick/easy solution.

I know there booster kits you can buy, but not sure which is the best and not too expensive. I was told to just buy a cable router and set up next to playstation. Been to Maplins and Currys different advice given.

Can anyone recommend anything or advise.

cheers

 

[ScienceBoy]

Cereal box and tin foil...

Look online for how-to:

It works but how much is dependant on your walls.

 

[fundy]

We use a plug in extender that seems to work pretty well

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00UTG32TQ?psc=1

 

[palindromicbob]

Powerline adaptors. The ones with AC passthrough are best as they don't take away a socket and the routers AC adaptor can be plugged into it. I have AV-600 and it improves my Xbox connection despite the fact the router is only 10 meters away.

http://uk.tp-link.com/products/list-18.html

 

[ScienceBoy]

I tried power line adapters, had them for years. Great solution for gaming as they lowered the latency vs wifi.

I've gone back to cables because I can but would also recommend powerline for certai situations.

Modern wifi routers (not the free ones from the supplier) might be as good or better but will cost more than a decent set of powerline adapters. So many variables though...

I wouldn't skimp too much, get the best you can afford as the speed is always far lower than the theoretical max, only an issue for big downloads however.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I use a wifi powerline adapter like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-Wi-Fi-H...98596411&sr=8-2&keywords=bt+powerline+hotspot One end plugs in to my router and a power socket, you can then put the other adaptors in any powersocket and they act as wifi hotspots. Plus you can use a wired connection if you want.

 

[sawtooth]

It may be a weak signal but then again it could be a signal quality issue.

My first step would be to download wifi analyser onto an Android device and run that in the front and back rooms.

This won't tell you everything of course but will tell you something about the channel utilisation in your vicinity.

Do a screen grab and post the graphic on here if you can.

Ideally what you would want to see (assuming 2.4ghz band) are only channels 1, 6 or 11 being used. If you see high signal strength or heavy utilsation of a particular channel then switch your AP to one of the 3 channels above. Trial and error without having more equipment at your disposal.

Also worth having a word with your neighbours and agree on sensible channel reallocation between you all - if you get on.

Or use 5 ghz if your router and clients support it.

Move your router to a more central location? Make sure that it's not buried behind obstructions , antennas are positioned OK, etc.

It could be a lot of things but start with that.

 

[Piece]

I use a Wi-Fi extender to setup a Wi-Fi hotspot. Also make sure your source router is not nearby any tv or telephone.

 

[pendodave]

My lad has a ps4 connected by cable and he still complains that people beat him on fifa because of the wifi (sic)...

In all seriousness, like all IT bug fixing, each part of the problem needs to be analysed. Fifa (or whatever) server speeds, you upload/download capacity into the house, the router performance, the wifi, the ps4 itself...

Suggest the nippers pay for any upgrades...

 

[Hosel Fade]

Either cable in directly (because it plain performs better) if your house is wired for it or use a powerline adapter

 

[guest100718]

ethernet cable over a power line adapter.

 

[guest100718]

tplink av600 from currys.

 

[ScienceBoy]

tplink av600 from currys.

1200s are expensive but maybe worth the extra expense?

TBH gaming was fine over 600s though.

I bought refurbs off eBay for a lot less than full retail and never had an issue.

Only reason I have gone cables is due to backups and large file transfers which take way too long over powerline. Gigabit ethernet is essential for that.

 

[Robster59]

it depends on your modem. I have a dual band talktalk super router so when I bought a wifi extender I bought a dual band extender from Maplin. TP Link
Only £40.00 in-store, easy to set up and hardly any drop in speed.

 

[Khamelion]

I use the Devolo power line adapters, main one is connected to the cable router, got one in the Kitchen, one in my daughters bedroom and one behind the TV in the living room which is a 3 port wired one, the other two are wireless. Also two different wifi SSID's, so if signal goes on one, you connect to the other.

 

[Rooter]

Also two different wifi SSID's, so if signal goes on one, you connect to the other.

Surely you want them on the same SSID and have each AP setup to switch between them seamlessly, so if you are on a skype call for example, you could walk round your house connecting to the strongest AP..

 

[ScienceBoy]

Yes same SSIDs or you endup connected to the one you had first with a weak signal, even if the closer one is stronger.