Slow speeds with roaming network

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Slow speeds with roaming network

I just got a new HTC One M8 which has the wireless AC capability. I am getting really slow speeds on my home network and hoping someone can help.

My current setup is as follows - a motorola surfboard modem hooked up (ethernet) to the new model Airport Extreme (with the AC), from there I have a powerline adapter hooked up to another part of the house where I have the older model Airport Extreme (I think 5th gen) - and I am using this in roaming mode to extend the signal.

This works fantastic for my devices which run on N, and everything flies with little to no issues no matter where I am in the house. But this phone - it is incredibly slow. When I run speed tests, at times I am getting decent download on the phone (20mbs) but getting absolutely 0 upload (literally 0.0 mbs). It works from time to time but is cutting in and out frequently.. So - What I am wondering is, would the fact that the router downstairs broadcasting an AC signal conflict with the upstairs broadcasting an N? I am wondering if the phone is constantly switching from one band to another and causing my speed issues? I tried the wifi on another network which just had an N signal, and had no issues whatsoever so I know it is something to do with my home network.

Again - I don't have this issue with any of my other devices (iphone 5, laptop, Ipad etc) so I don't believe the issue lies with my ISP, just looking for advice or if anyone knows if this setup would cause issues with AC devices? I like having the 2nd router upstairs as it really boosts the signal for my N devices and also gives me the ability to hard wire the PS4, xbox etc - so I definitely want to keep it setup - but am thinking I might need to set it up as a new network and turn off the roaming.. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Posted on Apr 20, 2014 7:07 PM

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Answer 1

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turbostar

Level 4

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Apr 21, 2014 6:06 AM in response to maceez131

unplug the 2nd extreme

turn wifi on/off on your phone, go into the room with the 1st ac extreme

test again

this will ensure that you're only on the 1st ac extreme just to get a starting point for speeds

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Answer 2

maceez131 Author

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Apr 22, 2014 5:52 PM in response to turbostar

Thanks for your reply, that is what I was thinking to start with as well. Doing that seemed to help so I am thinking that the issue is because of the AC and N signals conflicting on the device. After I unhooked the N router I was getting really good speeds downstairs, but still a weak signal upstairs.

So what I did was - moved the 5th Gen Extreme downstairs and hooked up to the modem, used a powerline to send that upstairs through the ethernet where I setup a 2nd network (different name) with my newer AC model extreme. I am upstairs way more than down so I would prefer to have the AC signal upstairs. Anyways - Now my problem is this.... The upstairs network is giving me about 16mbs down and 5 up, while downstairs is giving over 50 mbs and 5 up... When I had the roaming network setup I was pretty much getting the same speed upstairs as I was downstairs, maybe a few mbs difference. Is there any particular way I should be setting up the 2nd network to get around the same speed as downstairs? Or is it just not going to work that way?

Thanks again,

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Answer 3

turbostar

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Apr 22, 2014 6:35 PM in response to maceez131

So did you ONLY swap routers, or is the ac router being fed by power line in a different location than the original router fed by power line?

Power line is almost as finicky as wifi, I would place the AC ext directly above the lower ext and try to run an ETH cord up the wall

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Answer 4

maceez131 Author

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Apr 22, 2014 6:46 PM in response to turbostar

I had a similar setup before - the AC was Downstairs (connected to the modem) with the 5th gen upstairs, (connected by the powerline) and in roaming mode extending the same network... This time I switched them around with the 5th gen down and AC up, but I set the AC up as seperate network (instead of roaming) so that I can control which signal I am connected to. The modem is still downstairs as I only have 1 cable line for my Internet, so I can't move the modem (all the rest are hooked to Directv). It works fine just the speed is dropping off. I guess I could try to run it up the wall, but most of my media/streaming/gaming devices are in my bonus room which is on the opposite side of the house from the downstairs connection - so that would weaken the wifi in this room and take away my ability to use ethernet to those devices.. I can switch the AC back down and move the 5 gen up and try the same setup as now and see if that helps.. Was just wondering if there was a certain way the 2nd network should be setup that would optimize the speed, messing with the settings etc.. Appreciate the feedback

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Answer 5

turbostar

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Apr 22, 2014 7:51 PM in response to maceez131

i'd tweak it and think you're making it worse by having 2 different networks, both your routers are very capable dual mode so you should let the router and the devices decide which band to use (2 vs 5) vs your choosing it for them

once your network is setup correctly, restart any stationary clients ensuring that they are grabbing the strongest signal present

keep flatex downstairs, factory reset it and create a new network, trust me you'll want to factory reset to avoid issues when setting up the towerex

for now, put towerex next to flatex, factory reset it, and connect an eth cable from LAN on flatex to WAN (circle icon) on towerex

give it a minute or 2, open airport utility and you'll get the option to setup towerex as a WIRED extension, do this

now the painful part, play around with different set of electrical outlets to find the ones that give your towerex the best connection

remember, to turn the wifi on/off for the device you're using to test the towerex after each move or it will likely be connected to the flatex

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Answer 6

maceez131 Author

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Apr 23, 2014 8:24 AM in response to turbostar

I will try it out. I worry that I will get back to the same issue I had before if I switch it to Roaming again though. If I do, just turning off wifi and turning it back on (from the phone) when I switch rooms should help right? Maybe that is my best option until I can get another AC to use in both locations.

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Answer 7

turbostar

Level 4

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Apr 23, 2014 8:52 AM in response to maceez131

that's why i said make sure to truly factory reset the routers, i think the issue may have been your manually creating different networks

having the AC upstairs (if you find a clean powerline signal) will make a big difference, too

lastly, yes, if you walk from the basement to the 2nd floor and you want to make sure you're on the strongest signal immediately, toggle wifi on/off

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Answer 8

maceez131 Author

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Apr 23, 2014 9:05 AM in response to turbostar

turbostar wrote:

that's why i said make sure to truly factory reset the routers, i think the issue may have been your manually creating different networks

having the AC upstairs (if you find a clean powerline signal) will make a big difference, too

lastly, yes, if you walk from the basement to the 2nd floor and you want to make sure you're on the strongest signal immediately, toggle wifi on/off

I see what you mean now. When I setup the 5th gen downstairs I had issues with the factory reset and I think I ended up restoring from previous setting and changing the name.. That could be the issue right there.. I will reset it again and see what happens. Thanks

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Answer 9

turbostar

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Apr 23, 2014 9:31 AM in response to maceez131

that makes sense, but you should also factory reset towerex, too and just redo the setup, only takes 2 minutes

easiest way that i know

unplug it from power

hold down reset button and keep holding

reconnect power

release reset button only when amber light flashes usually 10-20s later

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