Nighthawk RAXE500 - POOR WiFi 5GHz Speeds (Need HELP Please)

Question

Modem: Motorola 3.1 DOCSIS (latest version)

Router: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 (latest firmware installed)

ISP: Spectrum 1 Gig HSI

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Hello. I recently upgraded my HSI service to 1 Gig and I'm seeing subpar 5GHz wireless performance to my wireless devices.

My WIRED laptop and PC are getting around 900+ mbps down However on wireless I'm getting between 625-750 mbps down - and that's being directly next to the router.

I have factory reset/defaulted BOTH my cable modem and the Nighthawk RAXE500 and set up from scratch (no backup file used).

I did make a couple of modifications (enabled OFDMA in 5GHz + changed Pre-Amble to SHORT in 5GHz + enabled MU-MIMO in advanced wireless settings) but the results have been the same. This is a $600+ router and I expected better WiFi results.

Any suggestions? Please advice.

Thanks in advance.

plemans · Answer

A couple things.&nbsp;
1. "the latest" isn't always the latest and doesn't help those checking into issues. What actual firmware versions are you on?&nbsp;
2. Motorola makes a lot of modems. and a lot of docsis 3.1 modems. What actual model do you have?&nbsp;
3. what wireless card is in the laptop/pc? this makes a big difference as to what speeds it supports and what you can expect
4. 600-700mbps for most devices, is about what you can expect. Reason why is most devices are only 1x1 or 2x2 antenna devices. And not all support 160hz wide channels. So if you're device is a 2x2 antenna device its max connection is only 2400mbps if it supports 160hz wide channels. And if it only supports 80hz wide, then its max connection is 1200mbps.&nbsp;
5. Link speed is NOT the same as actual throughput speed. Its usually 55-65% (ish) of what the link speed is.&nbsp;

p0se1d0nX · Answer

Hi plemans. Thanks for your prompt reply.

RAXE500 f/w: V1.0.9.78_2.0.38

Cable Modem: Motorola MB8611

Not sure about wireless card in laptop as I do not have it with me at the moment of typing this. I am using the latest iPhone (13 Pro) and latest iPad Air - but I figured I would be pulling better/faster download speeds than what I'm getting.

When running the internet speed test within the Nighthawk app (which gets the speeds directly from the modem) - I'm seeing 900+ mbps down. It's the WiFi speeds that seem underwhelming when running other speed test apps.

Should I leave OFDMA in 5GHz and MU-MIMO *enabled* or revert back to "default" with both being disabled?

plemans · Answer

Hardwired will be faster than wireless because of network overhead on wireless devices.&nbsp;
I don't have an iphone to test with but I know they're a 2x2 antenna setup. Just not sure if they're 80/160hz wide support.&nbsp;
And most users are reporting around the speeds you're getting with iOS devices.&nbsp;
for example:&nbsp;
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-Routers-with-WiFi-6-AX/RAX200-Second-5ghz-no-4800-Mode/m-p/2207264/highlight/true#M25333
&nbsp;
(there's more if you search)
The only time I've hit gig plus speeds on my raxe500 over wireless is when I'm connected with a AX210 card, at close range, and at 160hz wide channels. And even then, my starting point for my wired speeds is 1.4gig from my isp.&nbsp;

CD_router_888 · Answer

Hi&nbsp;p0se1d0nX&nbsp;,&nbsp;Which Speedtest server were you choose? Sometimes use&nbsp;different speedtest server would gain different results.You can try the nearest one.&nbsp;This is my test result with 1Gbps/600Mbps internet plan via my iPhone 13 pro max.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Razor512 · Answer

For the latest iPhones including the iPhone 13 (all models) that support 802.11ax, they are all capped at 80MHz channel width.

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Nighthawk RAXE500 - POOR WiFi 5GHz Speeds (Need HELP Please)

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