tylerlockyer

Q: AirPort Express WiFi Issues

Hi,

 

I believe this is my third post regarding the AirPort Express that I'm using.

 

It is a fairly new router (maybe 1.5 years old).

 

I've tried 2 different ISP. I was originally using DSL, now and on Cable.

 

I've tried resetting everything multiple times.

 

I live in a two storey townhome, I find that there is a lot of interference when I'm upstairs. When I reset my network settings on my iPhone it works perfectly for a few minutes, then experiences the same issues - most often nothing loads.

 

I've had the issues downstairs as well, closer to the router.

 

We do have a baby monitor, and I've heard that can cause interference. I've tried changing the channel settings. I've tried changing the DNS - and as stated, am on my second ISP (what a hassle that change was).

 

I'm now reading more and more people talk about 'router worms'. Is that possible? How do I test for that? When I was with the DSL ISP I was actually experiencing redirects on some web pages. I was convinced it was their modem, but now I'm not so sure.

 

Mostly the issues are experienced on iPhone.

 

What do you think? Help!

iPhone 6, iOS 9.0.2, 128 Gig

Posted on Mar 31, 2016 10:37 AM

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Q: AirPort Express WiFi Issues

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Mar 31, 2016 12:57 PM in response to tylerlockyer
    Level 9 (54,452 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 31, 2016 12:57 PM in response to tylerlockyer

    I'm now reading more and more people talk about 'router worms'. Is that possible? How do I test for that?

    Although is would be "convenient" to blame it on a virus or worm, it is very unlikely that your base station was infected. Access to the base station firmware is next to impossible without knowing both how and the base station's administrator password.

     

    There is no test. Again to do so, you would have to have access to the base station's firmware.

    I live in a two storey townhome, I find that there is a lot of interference when I'm upstairs. When I reset my network settings on my iPhone it works perfectly for a few minutes, then experiences the same issues - most often nothing loads.

    One way to verify Wi-Fi interference for sure is to use a Mac or PC connected to the base station by Ethernet. If the issue disappears, we would know it is neither the Ethernet connection, the base station, or the Internet connection. This, of course, would point back to Wi-Fi interference as being the primary culprit.

    Mostly the issues are experienced on iPhone.

    The Wi-Fi antenna on the iPhone is limited to compact size of the phone. Desktop & laptops typically perform better in this respect ... so it would not be unusual for your iPhone to be more "sensitive" to the problem.

     

    You mention that you live in an environment where there are a potential for a lot of competing devices. A simple survey of the Wi-Fi networks running nearby and what channel they are running on may help ... but you are limited to basically only three channels to choose from: 1, 6, or 11 on the 2.4 GHz band ... so changing channels may not help much.

     

    Another option is to connect your wireless devices to the 5 GHz band only. This, currently, is less crowded, so you may have better luck there. The drawback of this band is that the higher frequency signal has a much more difficult time traversing through objects, like walls, floors, ceilings, etc. ... and really only useful being in the same room as the base station ... which won't help you much either in covering two floors.

     

    So, unfortunately, you are limited in your choices going forward.

     

    Some potential options are:

    • The AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule has a much better antenna system than the Express. You could replace the Express with one of these to see if this helps. If not, Apple has a pretty good return policy.
    • Another would be to employ two base stations, in a roaming network configuration. You would then place one base station on each floor for wireless coverage. The key to a roaming network is that the base stations must be interconnected by Ethernet. Apple does provide for an all wireless solution, but since you are already having issues with Wi-Fi interference, this will potentially make a bad situation, even worse.