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Forum Discussion
Slow WiFi and I can't figure out why
I can't make this short so here goes. We have Xfinity Internet and TV and our package includes 200 Mbps internet upload and 5 Mbps download speeds. We use a Arris SB6190 modem that we own and a NetG...
A couple things.
1. The WNDR4500 isn't the highest performing router and is over a decade old. Even when it was performing great, its max 2.4ghz was 30-40mbps and 5ghz was 50-60mbps. Thats under optimal conditions with a 2x2 wifi client. (some devices are only 1x1 antenna clients)
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/31621-netgear-wndr4500-retest
2. Wireless extenders drop throughput 50% of what they recieve. This happens because they have to use the same chip to go router---->extender and then extender---->devices and they can't do both at once. So if you're getting roughly the same speed while connected to the extender in 5ghz as you are while connected to the router, its making me wonder if you're laptop isn't a 1x1 antenna device.
so what extender do you have (model)?
And what wireless card is in the laptops?
3. 5ghz doesn't broadcast as far or through as much materials as 2.4ghz.
4. You might not have had it for 10+ years but it is an old router. It could be showing signs of its age. It might be time to upgrade to a newer device generation.
Also you asked what wireless card was in the laptops ....... don't know if this is waht you want but under network adapters it says DW1530 Wireless-N WLAN Half Mini Card, and below that it says Intel(R) 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection, and then 9 lines that all start with WAN Miniport .......
KauaiHawaiiGuy wrote:
....under network adapters it says DW1530 Wireless-N WLAN Half Mini Card
Google suggests that that could be a 10-year old device. (Hard to tell.) If so, it is several wifi generations behind the curve.
Old router + old wireless client = slow wifi.
