How to reduce variability in Wifi speed

Ancalagon44

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2010
3,274
202
106
Hi everyone,

I have the following setup:
1 x Linksys X3500 router/gateway configured to use wireless N only. I think I allow it to set the channel width automatically.
1 x home PC connecting using a DLink USB wireless N adapter. I think its a DLink 140 or something. The router/gateway and the USB adapter are separated by a wall - its a brick and mortar wall. Using the USB cable, I try to get the distance between the two as short as possible - about 3-4 ft. I've also tried an internal PCI-e wireless card - also DLink I think. But that was way worse, unusable actually.
1 x Droid TV MX box sitting upstairs. There is about 15ft between the router/gateway and the droid tv mx box, as well as a floor. The floor is cut away (hard to explain, its a loft apartment), so it does not extend across the entire width of the bottom floor of my apartment, but I dont think there is line of sight between the router/gateway and the droid tv mx.

The problem is that the speed of the connection between the router and the home PC is extremely variable. I've seen it rise as high as 216MBp/s and as low as around 5MBP/s. The connection between the droid tv mx box and the router always seems to be at least 75 MBP/s.

Other information - I cannot see any other wireless networks in the area. Nothing pops up as visible. I do have a wireless keyboard and mouse set connected to the home PC - its not between the USB adapter and the router/gateway.

Any ideas on what I can do to make the wireless performance more consistent?
 

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,197
763
126
It is normal to have some variance in wireless speed, but to get a range as wide as what you reported is usually caused by interference or improperly configured (or failing) wireless equipment.

Consistent speeds at the Droid TV box seems to indicate that the problem is just with the PC side of the connection.

Reinstall the drivers for the Dlink adapter. And while shorter distance is usually better, 3 feet is actually too close for some wireless equipment. Try moving it a bit farther away from the router to see what happens.
 

RadiclDreamer

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
8,622
40
91
Most likely this is due to either hidden wifi interference or other non-wifi interference. Things to look out for are pretty much anything that runs 2.4ghz which can include baby monitors, wireless security systems, microwaves, cordless telephones etc. I know for me, its my wireless turtle beach headset, even when not in use the transmitter causes my wifi to cut in and out very badly. I tend to keep it off when not in use.

You could try the 5ghz spectrum which is typically far more open, however it does not penetrate solid objects as well so it could be a wash.

Also note that interference doesnt necessarily have to come from your house, it could be something of your neighbors as well.
 

Ancalagon44

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2010
3,274
202
106
Thanks guys. The USB adapter is pretty old - sometimes it just shuts off and I need to pull it out and put it back in again to get it to work again. Think its worth replacing? Wish I hadnt bought that PCI e adapter, waste of money.

I do have a microwave and a cordless telephone (ie a landline). But what makes me think it is not interference, is that both are placed so that if anything, they should affect both connections.