Random drops in internet speeds on wifi devices

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Level 1

13 points

Random drops in internet speeds on wifi devices

Hello,

I had an Airport Extreme 2nd generation (currently with firmware version 7.6.7) for many years before I upgraded to the newer model (6th generation--currently with firmware version 7.7.7) a few months ago. The older model still worked, so I set it up as a range extender. This setup worked fine until recently I began experiencing drops in download speeds to 5 to 30 Mbps on my iPhone and Macbook Air, when I should be getting speeds of 90 Mbps. Occasionally, the connection just drops completely as well. I can temporarily make the speeds return to normal if I have the device forget the network, and then I rejoin it. I don't experience these drops in connection on my Mac Mini, which is connected to the 6th generation Airport Extreme by ethernet. Is there anything I can do in the Airport Utility to rectify this situation, or is there some other utility app I should download to diagnose the issue (I found an app that might help called Wifi Explorer--https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wifi-explorer/id494803304?mt=12), or is the problem most likely with the hardware?

Thanks

Matthew

Airport Extreme (6th Generation)-OTHER, Other OS, Firmware version 7.7.7

Posted on Aug 30, 2016 7:17 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 30, 2016 11:19 PM in response to mbenson2

We need to know if the old Extreme is setup as roaming network.. ie using ethernet to the new Extreme or is it setup as wireless extender.

The original AE and the second one .. check the base of the AE.. both are A1143 .. is only single band 2.4ghz or 5ghz .. they are NOT dual band simultaneous.

In that setup the speed can be extremely (sic) low.. The old AE is really too old to be useful when combined with the newest one.. you could well just be causing issues.

If you have extend wireless, then in the Airport utility, run your mouse over where it says unknown.

That will give you the link speed of the connection.. I would expect very poor speeds here and the actual file transfer speed will be a 1/3-1/4 of that link speed.

Some details I just put in another post.

Re: TimeCapsule & AirportExtreme conflict internet connection not wifi; why?

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Answer 2

mbenson2 Author

Level 1

13 points

Aug 31, 2016 10:05 AM in response to LaPastenague

Thank you for your response. The older Airport Extreme is setup as a wireless extender, and is in a room directly above the new one.

The old AE is A1143, and the new one is A1521.

Attached is a screenshot of AirPort Utility.

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Answer 3

Aug 31, 2016 7:36 PM in response to mbenson2

Well your link speed is perfect.. 300Mbps is top speed that old AE can achieve.. that does mean it has no 2.4ghz and I would have thought it more important to extend 2.4ghz than 5ghz.. but that is your choice.

When you have the massive speed drops check which AP the device is actually connected to at the time. The BSSID will show you that.

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Answer 4

mbenson2 Author

Level 1

13 points

Aug 31, 2016 3:22 PM in response to LaPastenague

When I was upstairs and connected to the old AE (according to Airport Utility), I was not able to get download speeds of more than 50 Mbps on my iPhone (using Speedtest.net's app). I then walked downstairs, saw that I was connected to both AE's, and only got a download speed of about 5 Mbps on my iPhone. I checked again to make sure that I was still connected to both AE's, and did another speed test (this is seconds after the previous speed test) to find that my download speed was at about 30 Mbps. I then had my phone forget the network and subsequently rejoined it. After I did that, I ensured that I was still connected to both AE's, and performed another speed test to find that my download speed was at 90 Mbps. After being in the same place for a few minutes, the iPhone disconnected from the old router and the download speed was unaffected. Does this mean that I should get rid of the older Airport Extreme?

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Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,152 points

Aug 31, 2016 7:37 PM in response to mbenson2

saw that I was connected to both AE's

It's not possible to be connected to both AirPorts at the same time. It's either one or the other.

You might not realize that the iPhone and iPad tend to stay connected to the first device that they "see". So, if your iPhone connected upstairs at 50 Mbps and you then moved it downstairs, the iPhone will stay connected to the upstairs AirPort.....even if it moves close to the downstairs AirPort.

If you then switch off the WiFi on the iPhone for a moment and turn it back on, then the iPhone will pick up the signal from the closer AirPort.

In other words, the iPhone and iPad will not automatically switch from one AirPort to another as they move from upstairs to downstairs, or vice versa. The device might switch over after a time......5-10 minutes or so.

Does this mean that I should get rid of the older Airport Extreme?

No, you just need to understand what is going on with the iPhone and iPads.

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Answer 6

mbenson2 Author

Level 1

13 points

Aug 31, 2016 5:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons

If it is not possible for my iPhone to be connected to both routers at the same time, then why was it listed as a wireless client for both Airport Extremes in Airport Utility?

Additionally, I neglected to mention that whenever I come home and perform a speed test downstairs (with the iPhone connected to the new Airport Extreme), I get speeds of about 30 Mbps, which changes to 90 Mbps if I have the iPhone forget the network and then rejoin it. Therefore, the issue cannot be simply a temporary transition phase between Airport Extremes.

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Answer 7

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,152 points

Aug 31, 2016 6:20 PM in response to mbenson2

If it is not possible for my iPhone to be connected to both routers at the same time, then why was it listed as a wireless client for both Airport Extremes in Airport Utility?

AirPort Utility is not correct......happens all the time. It may take 30 minutes or longer for the utility to pick up the current settings and display them correctly.

Sometimes, you may have to power off the AirPort router and restart it to get AirPort Utility to display updated information correctly.

It is not possible for any device to be connected to two different routers at the same time. That's a basic fundamental rule in networking.

iPhones are notoriously inconsistent with wireless speeds due to their very simple wireless antennas and simplified operating systems. Use a Mac laptop to check speed measurements. Then compare the results of the Mac with the iPhone.

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Answer 8

mbenson2 Author

Level 1

13 points

Aug 31, 2016 7:35 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I tried testing the wifi speeds with my Macbook, and the results were much better than on my iPhone. Thank you both for your help.

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