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Forum Discussion
JaggedMac
Apr 29, 2021Guide
PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
I have to explain my environment a bit. I'm in an apartment where the Internet access point is near the entrance at one end of the apartment, but my office (where I really need it) is in a bedroom at...
- May 08, 2021
The orbi devices do support both wired and wireless backhaul connections. And they can use both at the same time. I have some using wireless and some using the wired backhaul.
michaelkenward
Apr 30, 2021Guru - Experienced User
JaggedMac wrote:
My provider says that is because there is a refrigerator and a few other things between the router and the office.
I find that a strange suggestion. Is the ISP talking about wifi interference there?
One thing to consider is trying to suppress the noise from that domestic hardware.
There are two lots of noise to consider, wifi and mains. Netgear advises against using noise suppression mains sockets for plugs, but it might be worth trying to cut back on the mains noise with a noise suppressing adapter for the fridge.
Apart from that idea, I'd heed what plemans suggests.
- JaggedMacApr 30, 2021Guide
Thanks, michaelkenward. The fridge is physically directly in line between the router and the office, so I'm assuming the provider tech was referring to the metal of the fridge blocking the wifi signal, but maybe it creates other interference, as well. It's just kind of weird that the wifi is so dead in that one room, while being exceptional everywhere else. As I mentioned in my other reply, I'm trying out a mesh network, as it kind of tests out the access point concept.
- michaelkenwardApr 30, 2021Guru - Experienced User
JaggedMac wrote:
Thanks, michaelkenward. The fridge is physically directly in line between the router and the office, so I'm assuming the provider tech was referring to the metal of the fridge blocking the wifi signal, but maybe it creates other interference, as well. It's just kind of weird that the wifi is so dead in that one room, while being exceptional everywhere else. As I mentioned in my other reply, I'm trying out a mesh network, as it kind of tests out the access point concept.
I can't tell from your first message if it is the wifi that is slow in the office, or the Powerline, or both.
If it is a wifi thing, and if it is the fridge – Americans buy fridges that are bigger than some kitchens in other countries – you could investigate using Powerline to deliver wired Ethernet to devices in that room.
As this is an office, you probably have a wired PC. Powerline LAN might cut through wifi interference.
- JaggedMacMay 07, 2021Guide
michaelkenward and plemans , thanks for your advice. To answer the one question, BOTH wifi and powerline adapter are very slow in the office. BOTH powerlline and wifi are very good in the master bedroom, which is between and on the other side of the hallway. I tried a TP-Link (that was all they had at the time) mesh network with a base and two satellites. I got a bit better wifi signal, but not spectacular. However, I discovered that the satellites don't piggy back on each other, so both were going back to the main source, making it no better than the way I started. I checked with TP-Link and they confirmed that the satellites won't talk to each other... just to the base. Kind of a dumb setup, if you ask me. I returned that unit and am back to the long cable. i still think an access point in the bedroom, or a mesh system where the units can connect to each other might be a possibility. Anyone know if the Netgear mesh units work that way? I don't really need mesh, as I only need internet in that one room, but the advantage of the mesh system is that I only have one network to connect to, so everything can be on the same network. If I go to an access point, I believe I'm going to end up with a new IP address to connect to, which is a pain, as I have multiple computers, several Amazon Alexa units, a wireless Sonos sound system, two nVidia Shield android TV boxes, and a bunch of wifi smart light bulbs that wouldn't all be able to talk to each other, nor would I be able to connect to all of them with my mobile devices. Is there any way to extend a wifi signal without changing the network address?