Airport Time Capsule WiFi Router - Slow Ethernet & WiFi

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Level 1

4 points

Airport Time Capsule WiFi Router - Slow Ethernet & WiFi

Firmware 7.9.1

When I connect ethernet directly to my cable modem I get 300Mbps plus speeds.

When I connect the Airport to the cable modem and ethernet (laptop, Mac Mini, or PC) to the Airport, I get under 100Mbps speeds. Under 100Mbps with WiFi too. Using Cat6 ethernet cables.

I reset and restored the Airport. All settings are default. Same problem.

Everything has been fine for years, and then noticed the slow down a few months ago. I initially though it was my ISP, but direct connection to cable modem yields 300Mbps speeds. Anything past the router is under 100.

Help!

AirPort

Posted on Jul 13, 2019 1:02 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Donnoj Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 18, 2019 3:55 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Problem solved...bad WAN port (AND poor performing hardware/firmware)

Picked up a new Eero mesh router.

All cables Cat6. Testing using Speedtest.net. Internet service 300 Mbps.

Ethernet speedtest from Macbook to modem. 300 Mbps+

Ethernet speedtest from Eero to Modem. 300 Mbps+

Ethernet speedtest from PC to Eero to Modem. 300 Mbps+

Ethernet speedtest from Macbook to Eero to Modem. 300 Mbps+

Setup Airport Time Capsule as gigabit ethernet switch and network storage. WiFi off. Router off (bridge mode). Forced 1000 Mbps using PC Airport Utility from default auto.

Airport connected from WAN to additional ethernet port on Eero. Anything connected to LAN ports on Airport limited to 100 Mbps or less. Airport LAN connected to Eero. All additional LAN ports 1000 Mbps. Devices connected to Airport switch (Mac Mini, PC) all get 300+ Mbps to internet now.

My Macbook backups via WiFi to Time Capsule (gigabit LAN) are noticeably faster now too. Combination or stronger WiFi and gigabit LAN speed both an improvement.

I've read the Airports have limits and don't perform 100% to specifications. In particular the WAN to LAN performance...300-400 Mbps when it ran as a WiFi and router. 600-700 Mbps max if run in bridge mode. However, the big (noticeable) problem for me is when the WAN only worked at 100 Mbps. I believe this happened when a nearby lightening strike took out our cable modem, PC ethernet and PS4 ethernet. Anyway, that my best guess at this point.

The Eero Mesh set-up is working like a champ. Way better WiFi performance/speed and coverage. WiFi is close to 300 Mbps near the main router and 250-275 Mbps throughout every practical area of my 1700 sqft house. Only using 1 beacon too. Outside back patio/pool area gets 170-60 Mbps. Not too bad for a block home with low-e double pane windows. I may try a second beacon to improve outside speed but what I'm getting now is totally usable.

Had I not had faster internet, I may have never have noticed the issue. Any service 100 Mbps or lower would have not revealed it...and I would have also never realized how fast my LAN should be performing with local transfers. Almost instantaneous now.

Anyway, hope this helps someone else.

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Answer 2

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,328 points

Jul 13, 2019 1:42 PM in response to Donnoj

I'm not clear on whether you are using the exact same Ethernet cable that you used when you connected your Mac directly to the modem and got the 300 Mbps speeds, or whether you are using a different Ethernet cable between the cable modem and Time Capsule.

Can you clarify on that?

Depending on the type of modem that you have, instead of connecting the modem to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule, you might be able to connect to one of the other three LAN <--> ports to test that way. If your "modem" is really a modem/router or gateway, you could try connecting to one of the LAN <--> ports on the Time Capsule as a test. If the speeds go up to 300 Mbps.....then that tells you that the WAN "O" port is acting up, and you should continue to use the LAN port to connect to the modem.

On the other hand, if you have a "simple" modem.......the kind with only one Ethernet port on the back.......you must connect the modem to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule in that case.

A "new" or used Ethernet cable is not necessarily a "good" cable until it has been tested. By that we mean if one of the tiny 16 copper connectors on either side of the cable is not working correctly.......or if the cable is wired incorrectly.....(this happens more often than you might imagine on "new" cables)......you will still get a connection, but the speeds will be limited to about 100 Mbps.

In that case, you have to repair the Ethernet cable or use another cable that you have tested to be "good".

If things are still acting up.....AND.....you have AirPort Utility installed on the PC......you might be able to manually adjust some of the WAN port settings on the Time Capsule rather than use the "Automatic" setting......IF.....the Time Capsule is set up as router and not as a "bridge".

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,328 points

Jul 13, 2019 7:07 PM in response to Donnoj

Unfortunately, AirPort Utility on a Mac.......unless it is a Mac that is using a very old operating system like Leopard or Snow Leopard.....cannot be used to adjust the WAN port settings.

As I noted above, if you have AirPort Utility installed on a PC, that older version of the application does have the WAN port settings that you can manually adjust.

Open AirPort Utility

Click on the Time Capsule on the left panel to highlight it

Click Manual Setup at the bottom of the window to the right

Click the Internet "globe" icon at the top of the next window

The settings for Ethernet WAN port will appear on the next window

Try changing the setting from "Automatic (Default)" to "1000 Mbps / Full Duplex"

If still no help, about al that you can do at this point is try a few more factory default resets on the Time Capsule to see if that might help. Otherwise, it looks like the port has been damaged. This is actually quite rare, since lightning or surges usually knock out the port completely and nothing works.

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Answer 4

Donnoj Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 16, 2019 2:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I've been researching issues with Apple Airports and ethernet speeds. Found several discussions about network speed being reduced in 'DHCP/NAT' mode...slightly better performance in bridge, but not quit gigabit.

Also compatibility issues between Arris modems and Airports. One post was exactly like my situation, 300 Mbps at modem, 100 Mbps after Airport. A few have solved this by using a 'crossover' ethernet cable from the modem to Airport.

I recently picked up a new router, the Eero mesh half off on Amazon Prime sale (only one ethernet port). I'm gonna try that for wifi networking and use the Airport Time Capsule in bridge mode to see how well it works as a switch for the few ethernet devices I have.

Another option for possible better performance will be to get an inexpensive gigabit switch to run after the new Eero router and just connect the Time Capsule via ethernet for backups only.

I'm also curious about the crossover cable. I may pick one up and try it just for knowledge.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7448572

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/194608/airport-extreme-seems-to-place-a-limit-on-gigabit-ethernet

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8516151

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Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,328 points

Jul 16, 2019 2:45 PM in response to Donnoj

In DHCP and NAT mode, about the best the AirPort can do is something in the 350-400 Mbps range. Speeds might be twice or more in Bridge Mode since the routing functions.......which really slow things down on the AirPort.......are turned off in that mode.

I have not ever used an Arris modem, but have seen some reports on compatibility issues with the Arris and AirPort products on the forums.

Personally, I use a Zoom cable modem on a Spectrum service that delivers a 300 Mbps Internet connection. The AirPort typically checks out right at 300 Mbps when I run checks on Ethernet or wireless connections.

Would be interested in your results with the Eero mesh system if you can post back when you can.

Adding a Gigabit Ethernet switch is a good way to add more connections if you need them.

As far as crossover cables, I have not even seen any improvement using them, but anything is possible I suppose.

Good luck!

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Answer 6

Donnoj Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 13, 2019 5:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you for the reply!

Modem is an Arris Surfboard SB6183. I'm guessing 'simple' modem.

I did try different cables (3 different cat6 cable I have around) from the modem to the Airport. All made no difference in the slower speed connected directly to the Airport or WiFi from it.

You mentioning bad cables has jogged my memory though!!!

Lightening struck a neighbors tree last year and the ethernet port on my modem stopped working. I purchased a new modem (Arris Surfboard SB6183) and then discovered the PS4 and a PC connected to the Airport ethernet had bad ethernet ports. A Mac Mini connected via ethernet survived. I assumed since the ports on the Airport still worked, everything was fine. Now I'm thinking they were damaged too and are now working at reduced capacity. Also, the cat6 cables I'm using all were connected at the time of the lightening/surge so I guess it's possible they could be damaged too (working at reduced capacity).

I'll try some new cat6 cables today. If that doesn't fix it, I'm assuming the Airport got damaged too.

BTW, the TimeCapsule is setup as router and I do have the AirPort Utility installed on my Macbook. What settings should I check? Not finding WAN port settings.

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Answer 7

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,328 points

Jul 13, 2019 8:24 PM in response to Donnoj

I'm still using an AirPort Extreme as my "main" router which is Ethernet connected to a Time Capsule in the other end of the house so cannot comment on the upsides or downsides of a mesh system.

The Netgear Orbi system has had some good press and it does have the option to connect access points using Ethernet, which would be far better than trying to use wireless.

It would be easy to connect the Time Capsule to one of the access points using an Ethernet cable and then turn off the WiFi function on the Time Capsule if you don't need the additional WiFi network. The Time Capsule would be configured to operate in Bridge Mode if you decided to use it this way.

Another good option would be to take a look at the Synology router, which will support Time Machine if you connect a USB drive to the router. I believe that Synology also offers a mesh option to add more access points for additional WiFi coverage.

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Answer 8

Donnoj Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 13, 2019 7:58 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Tried fresh cat6 cables.

Tried setting '1000 Mbps/Full Duplex' from a PC Airport Utility.

No difference.

Looks like I'll be shopping for a used one, when it was working it did everything I needed. I may be able to pick up a used 2tb last generation A1470 for under $100on eBay.

I really appreciate the help!

If I decide to 'upgrade', any recommendations on a new system? Those mesh systems look cool, but then I'd also need to get a backup drive networked.

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Airport Time Capsule WiFi Router - Slow Ethernet & WiFi

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