Bad router or bad supplier?

[the Savage Hippie]

So... We've got broadband in our apartment, awesome! We pay for 40/5mb per sec.

However, every second night the wifi will start to slack ridiculously. I just ran some speed test - Ookla and my internet supplier's test.
With wifi the results were fatal - with Ookla it didn't even got around to test upload speed before the site froze. The ping at times was 14/13ms and the upload got to under 2mb at is peak. My internet supplier's test with wi-fi got 1.86 down and 0.12 up.

I put in a cable to run the test again - as soon as the cable was in the net was much faster.
The results were then Ookla: 59.53 down and 10.20 up
My internet supplier's test test results: 0.19 down and 10.53 up - very weird download result...

So is this caused by a bad router or simply a bad supplier?
I plan on calling them to complain if this keeps happening, it's pretty annoying only that the wifi only works every second day...



Andere, come help me!

[Musicman247]

You could always try unplugging the router the plugging it back in. (I feel like I'm on The IT Crowd)

[the Savage Hippie]

Yeah, I've thought of that. But I don't think that is the solution to the problem, MM. And I for one, am of the belief that the router will last longer if you turn it on as little as possible.

[Musicman247]

I was just asking. If you've tried that and it doesn't work, then you might check your laptop's WiFi settings since when you connected via cable you got fast speeds.

[the Savage Hippie]

Yeah, but that's just the thing - sometimes it works completely as it is supposed to and at other times, it feels like I'd be better of with a modem from '97

[Tezliov]

Yeah, but that's just the thing - sometimes it works completely as it is supposed to and at other times, it feels like I'd be better of with a modem from '97

Sounds like someone's stealing your internet.
I'd try changing the password/adding a password if you don't have one.

[Lindai]

Is wifi slow on your roommates' devices or any of your other devices such as your phone?

Did the Ookla speedtest report any packet loss?

Make and model of the router?

[the Savage Hippie]

Tezilov, no, our password is the standard one from the provider. So only experienced hackers can get through to it.

Lindai, I don't have a smartphone, my phone runs that old [E] system, so don't know.
The router is a Thomson, I don't know what model it is though, but it is probably cheap.
If I try to diagnose the problem with Windows it says that my DNS is slacking or something - no matter if I use open DNS or obtain one automatically.

[Lindai]

Can any of your flatmates reproduce the problem on their devices?

When the wifi acts up, how far are you from the router? Do speeds improve when you move closer to the router?

..as soon as the cable was in the net was much faster.

This rules out the ISP being the cause of the issue. It's either a problem with the router or your laptop's wireless settings. Next time it happens, try reproducing the issue on another device.

Some things to try in the meantime:

-Changing the frequency channel on which the router's wireless signal operates. There's 11 or so channels to choose from. If too many nearby routers operate on the same channel, there may be some interference.
-Change the wireless password, just in case. I know your ISP supplied you with a long password but they can be easily cracked once someone knows the password generation technique.

You will have to consult your router's manual to find out how to change these settings. The router's manual may be available online on the manufacturer's website.

[Andere]

DNS issues are mainly operator = provider related. It's a matter of some link somewhere not working properly, or not having the capacity needed, or it may be a cable issue the provider has --- somewhere along the line. They're not very willing to admit these problems, though. They usually point the finger at users.

Unplugging your router and rebooting will solve the problem, right now. But if the problem continues, do contact your provider. I don't believe the problem is in your end.

Best of all.

[Archea47]

What do you mean when you say "internet supplier's test results?"

Since it performs fine when you are directly connected to the router's switch I think you've isolated the issue to your wireless, not the provider or DNS (those errors are understandable given your poor performance)

As a side note - does your router use WEP or WPA/2 encryption? Some ISPs still ship routers with WEP which takes 5-10 minutes to break with a 5 year old laptop

You should reboot the router and tell us if performance improves

There's software inSSIDer you can download to see the wireless networks in the area. Everyone should only be using channels 1, 6 and 11 - anything else will poison neighboring channels. If someone say is using channel 3 make sure to use channel 11 as 1 and 6 are going to have degraded performance, dropped packets etc.

[the Savage Hippie]

@Lindai: I can be three yards from the router and occasionally the problem will occur and I can be farther away, so that is not really that important. I will look further into your suggestions.

@Andere: Thank you for your reply, but rebooting the router has not worked so far - only waiting has worked.

@Archea: I mean my internet provider's own SpeedTest similar to Ookla... And I am most certain it runs WPA/2 and for results about rebooting look above.

[VirtualWeasel]

Sounds like a gimmick to me. Your provider promised you 40 Mbps, and you've got it.
They didn't say anything about wireless.

[the Savage Hippie]

Weasel, Ookla is not my provider?

[Archea47]

and for results about rebooting look above.

All I read is a superstition about rebooting the route having an effect on its life of service ... if you want us to troubleshoot play along

Did you install inSSIDer or another program that will show you neighboring networks? Post the screen if you want an analysis

[the Savage Hippie]

I haven't done that yet, Archea, but I can rule out the thing about my computer's wifi thing being the problem. I am at my parents' house right now and their superfast internet and my computer have no problems playing together.