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R6400 question - quite different wifi speeds (PC and laptop versus iPhone, all in same room)
I have the R6400 AC1750 (bought new 2017) and it works great. I noticed the other day that my PC seemed to be lagging so I used speedtest.net to check my wifi on the PC. Ususally I get about 195 down...
1. you're not on the latest firmware. the current is 1.0.1.70
2. That model doesn't support smart connect that I could find.
3. since it doesn't support smart connect, its your device hopping between 2.4ghz/5ghz. Log into the router and change one of the ssid's so that you can choose which one you want devices connected to. Or you can leave them the same but be aware, the 2.4ghz will be slower and suffer from more interference than 5ghz
what modem/gateway do you have?
What firmware is on the router?
are you testing over the 2.4ghz or 5ghz?
do you have your 2.4ghz and 5ghz named the same? If so, seperate them out. 5ghz is much faster than 2.4ghz.
Thanks for replying...
What firmware is on the router?
I just updated it last night to the latest using Genie
are you testing over the 2.4ghz or 5ghz?
I'm using whatever the adapter gave me, and checking I see I'm on 2.4
do you have your 2.4ghz and 5ghz named the same? If so, seperate them out. 5ghz is much faster than 2.4ghz.
I'm not sure how to separate them, can you tell me?
Also, I tried Device Manager > Network Adapter > Dell Wireless 1560 802.11ac > Properties > Advanced and tried to select Preferred Speed but I don't have that choice. Is there any way to tell my PC to grab 5 instead of 2.4?
Seperating the 2.4ghz and 5ghz is as simple as just naming them different during setup. the R6400 doesn't use smart connect so devices don't switch between the 2.4ghz/5ghz like they do with devices that support smart connect.
So simply folllow the change ssid guide and set them with different names.
https://kb.netgear.com/23439/How-do-I-change-my-NETGEAR-router-s-WiFi-password-or-network-name-SSID
again, 5ghz is much faster. 2.4ghz is a slow network but it broadcasts further and through more materials. so it has its place.
Firmware is also key as there's a r6400 and a r6400v2. And the genie might say its updated, but it not be.
voiceovermike wrote:
Thanks for replying...
What firmware is on the router?
I just updated it last night to the latest using Genie
That does not guarantee that you have the most recent.
The number is the only reliable indicator.
R6400V1 or R6400 V2?
Model just says R6400 and firmware is version 1.0.1.62
Also, the manual says this router automatically picks the speed for the computer as needed. My adapter is 802/11ac per Device Manager.
I noticed this morning it was on 5Ghz and now it says Network Band 2.4 and I haven't touched the PC all day after booting it up. Now, also, the Protocol shows 802.11n In Setting>Wifi>Properties
Maybe that's why the speedtest shows lower a lot.
1. you're not on the latest firmware. the current is 1.0.1.70
2. That model doesn't support smart connect that I could find.
3. since it doesn't support smart connect, its your device hopping between 2.4ghz/5ghz. Log into the router and change one of the ssid's so that you can choose which one you want devices connected to. Or you can leave them the same but be aware, the 2.4ghz will be slower and suffer from more interference than 5ghz
