Slow on Windows but fast on iOS with Airport Express A1392

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Slow on Windows but fast on iOS with Airport Express A1392

I have purchased an Airport Express A1392 recently to use as a Wi-Fi Router, connecting to a standalone ADSL2 modem.

I am able to create a network for 3 PCs, Wi-Fi enabled printers, and 3 iOS devices. The Router Mode was set to "Off (Bridge Mode) because it prompts me to do so during the setup.

However, the speed and consistency are obviously against the Windows side. Here are my findings:

Speed test. Results from speedtest.net (OOKLA) on Windows are average at 2-3 Mbps while we have average of 12-14 Mbps on iOS devices (OOKLA app) at about the same time.
Annoying AVG message on Windows PC. It says "Windows is trying to connect to an unknown network" once in every 30 mins. It didn't happen with our previous router.
We turn on live TV on a browser all the time. On PC, it stops occasionally while the same site on iPad, it runs smoothly, not even a single hiccup for the whole day.

Can anyone help me please?

AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd generation), Windows 7

Posted on Aug 10, 2015 10:32 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 11, 2015 12:59 AM in response to siriwadhna

Annoying AVG message on Windows PC. It says "Windows is trying to connect to an unknown network" once in every 30 mins. It didn't happen with our previous router.

Get rid of AVG.. it has several functions which can cause internet slow downs..

Use avast or one of the better ones.. or even microsoft essentials is not too bad.

It might not fix it but you really need to start there.

Still have issues turn off the windows firewall.

Still have issues make sure the wireless driver is up to date.. if it is an Intel wireless card expect issues.. they are not used in desktop computers but laptops often use intel cards.. they do not like apple routers.. not even a little bit.. Apple use intel chipsets but NEVER EVER use intel wireless cards.. suggestive??

No luck you have to get more creative.

Give me actual wireless card model number.

Link speed and setup.

Are you using WPA2 personal security on the express.. make sure it has pure alphanumeric name and password.. no special characters and certainly no spaces.

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Answer 2

siriwadhna Author

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Aug 11, 2015 6:07 PM in response to LaPastenague

Get rid of AVG.. it has several functions which can cause internet slow downs..

Use avast or one of the better ones.. or even microsoft essentials is not too bad.

It might not fix it but you really need to start there.

AVG removed! I will install MS Essentials as suggested but after dealing with this Airport issue.

Still have issues turn off the windows firewall.

Turned off Windows Firewall did not solve.

Give me actual wireless card model number.

Link speed and setup.

I am using Compaq CQ61 with Qualcomm Atheros AR9285 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter.

Another one that we use for online TV is Acer Netbook with Qualcomm Atheros AR5B95.

Are you using WPA2 personal security on the express.. make sure it has pure alphanumeric name and password.. no special characters and certainly no spaces.

Yes, I use WPA2 with alphanumeric only for name and password.

For more info, the firmware of the Airport Express is 7.6.5.

Thank you.

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Answer 3

Aug 11, 2015 8:17 PM in response to siriwadhna

For more info, the firmware of the Airport Express is 7.6.5.

That is useful to know.. the latest express has a different firmware to earlier model.. so there is some changes and all is not good in apple router land.

If both the windows computers do the same thing. You are going to have a hard time fixing it.. not all wireless works together.. just a sad fact..

I think you might do better spending a few dollars on a cheap TP-Link wireless router.. just for the PC in the network.. it is much easier than trying to replace drivers or wireless cards..

I would however do one further test.

Setup the Express again..

No security on wireless.

Test on channels 11, 8, 6.

No improvement than nothing you do will fix it from the express.. On the computers you can try downloading drivers or messing with settings but I seldom find it helpful.. changing wireless to USB stick often is more productive..

All the fixes will cost you more than just buying a router to use as AP for the windows computers.

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Answer 4

siriwadhna Author

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Aug 11, 2015 10:21 PM in response to LaPastenague

I played around with every available menu in the advanced settings and somehow receive fast and stable connection for a while already.

So I reverted back what I did just to find out that it was the original 2.4GHz's channel of "1" (set by Automatic Channel) that causes all the troubles. Once I manually set this to "5", it works perfectly.

Problem solved but still left me wondering why all of the iOS devices did not suffer at all. Its either quality Wi-Fi circuits in them or Apple plants anti-PC codes in the Airport :-P

Thank you, LaPastenague for your time to answer.

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