So I purchased a Netgear R6260 router last year around September and ever since then I've had a problem with the WIFI. So the problem only happens while connected to the WIFI (both 2.4GHz and 5GHz). I however, have zero issues while using an Ethernet cable. I have been experiencing this odd spike in latency and packet loss with certain apps. For example, while using the voice chat feature on Discord, all of a sudden, I get a spike in latency going from 50ms - 4000ms which causes me to stop hearing anyone on the call. This seems to be random, but it happens anywhere between 5-20 minutes into the the voice call. My friends tell me that they can still hear me, but I'm the one who can't hear them. I have to hang up the call and rejoin for me to hear them again. When this latency spike happens in Discord, nothing else seems to be affected. I am still connected to the internet and every online game I've tested over WIFI is not affected by this spike in latency, only happens on Discord. I've searched Google for this problem and adjusted all my settings on Discord to see if it was an app issue, but even after contacting Discord support, my issue still persist. This happens on both the desktop app and the IOS app on my IPhone, so I am certain that it's not an isolated Windows or IOS issue.
Another symptom of this spike in latency or packet loss is prevalent while streaming videos on my Roku Express 4k device, specifically using the Apple TV+ app which sometimes takes 2-3 minutes to load a video after I press play. Another more minor issue, is while I'm scrolling through the TikTok app on my phone, I to try open the comment section but it hangs for a bit then says "no internet connection". Thought I'd also mention that.
The Discord issue is the most annoying one because I use Discord on my iPhone talk to my friends often and I hate that I get disconnected from the voice chat every 5-20min. Disconnecting from the WIFI on my phone and using Verizon's network, though, seems to have no issues with the voice chat. Only happens while being connected to my WIFI router.
Any tips on how to fix this? I just did a factory reset on my router a few days ago and updated to the latest firmware, still no fix. Also, I have my own Arris 1Gbps modem with Spectrum @ 300mbps download speeds, in case that's relevant.
Thank you all in advance!
Model: R6260|AC1600 Smart WiFi Router Dual Band Gigabit
So I ended up calling tech support a few days ago and they advised me to set up my main WIFI device IP address as the default DMZ server which has not fixed the issue yet. I've also changed my DNS on both the IPv4 and IPv6 settings to Cloudfare (1.1.1.1) and (1.0.0.1) on both my WIndows 11 PC and the router itself. All to no avail.
EDIT: Forgot to mention my fastest 2.4Ghz download speeds are around 80mbps and 5Ghz is 231mbps (same as my Ethernet connection)
So I ended up calling tech support a few days ago and they advised me to set up my main WIFI device IP address as the default DMZ server which has not fixed the issue yet. I've also changed my DNS on both the IPv4 and IPv6 settings to Cloudfare (1.1.1.1) and (1.0.0.1) on both my WIndows 11 PC and the router itself. All to no avail.
Sounds like witchcraft.
EDIT: Forgot to mention my fastest 2.4Ghz download speeds are around 80mbps and 5Ghz is 231mbps (same as my Ethernet connection)
Those are about the best you can expect for many wifi devices. The speed of those depends on the wifi client, not the router.
When it comes to devices, the R6260 is pretty well the bottom of the Netgear range.
I used to have a cheaper Netgear router years ago and it was amazing. I had no issues with it for about 5 years. I decided to upgrade to a router that supported 1Gbps download speeds. I plan to upgrade sometime this year since my ISP recently finished infrastructure in my area for it. I have been so disappointed with the WIFI capabilities of this router that I'm considering selling it and buying another brand like Linksys.
@duckware knows their stuff and can bust a few myths and cut through marketing hype.
You won't get much for £46.75, the Amazon price for the R6260 in the UK. You can spend getting on for ten times that price for a router. Scary.
You say you have a "Arris 1Gbps modem", but that could mean anything. Arris sells a lot of stuff with that label. Only a model number is any guide to its capabilities. The 1 Gbps is probably the LAN speed.
The modem in question is an Arris Surfboard SB190 which only has DOCSIS 3.0 speeds. After doing some research, it turns out I'm only limited to about 644mbps according to the specs. Definitely guilty of just reading the front of the box and a handful of Amazon reviews before buying. Oh well. I can see how marketing can sometimes get people into buying the wrong thing. Don't think it matters much though. I can probably opt to get the 500mbps plan and still get decent speeds. I don't have a real use for anything faster than that, I guess I just wanted to "future proof" my purchase 😄
