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Forum Discussion
N900/WNDR4500v2 WiFi Only Getting 10-20% of Wired Speeds
Hello,
Long-time, first-time. Running a Arris SB8200 3.1 modem & N900 WNDR4500v2 (w/ latest firmware) router. Just switched ISPs to get some quicker speeds. Paying for 200Mbps, actuals are consistently 200-300Mbps wired (CAT6) on multiple Speedtests. WiFi channels are 6 (2.4GHz) and 153 (5GHz).
The problem arrives when I check WiFi speeds. My iPhone XS is pulling over 100Mbps via 5GHz, but can't seem to eclipse the 30Mbps mark via 2.4GHz. Tried a Chromebook and pulled 40-45Mbps. Roku TV (WiFi) upstairs was at 45Mbps. I've checked the devices in the same room as the router as well as different rooms & floors. Similar results everywhere. Can't seem to get anything over 40-45Mbps via WiFi anywhere in the house. Am I in need of a router upgrade, or is this something else I'm missing?
Thanks in advance.
6 Replies
And before someone chimes in with the "You're not going to get WiFi speeds to match your wired speeds," I'm well aware of that. I should be hitting more than 50% when I'm 10' from the router though, and certainly better than 20%.
5ghz will get you faster speeds, 2.4ghz probably not any faster than what you're getting. Its a much slower network than 5ghz.
I've used multiple routers from netgear and other companies and 2.4ghz is slow. Its a basic limitation in how 2.4ghz works versus 5ghz.
I live in a detached home with other homes close by and I rarely see sustained speeds >30-40mbps even using AX routers/wireless cards. I've seen peaks of 70-100mbps but its not sustained. And again, thats using AX routers with AX wireless cards. My AC routers/devices didn't fare any better over 2.4gh.
The only time I've maintained faster speeds over 2.4ghz was when I was testing in a rural area with no other homes within any distance and without obstructions. But even those speeds were just the 70-100mbps. And again, AX devices.
Thank you for the response. Very helpful & much appreciated!
I've heard & read conflicting information regarding which channel to use on my 2.4GHz band. Some of the information I've seen says to use one of 1-6-11 because they're non-overlapping, but those are also the most commonly used channels. Recent network scans in the area show about 70% using 1 or 11 and majority of remaining networks on 6. Couple random others scattered across the rest.
Any recommendations on that end of things?
