Help improving wifi reliability & strength

[Galaxysurfer]

I currently have a Rt-Ac68u with 384.4.2 firmware. I have it located on the 3rd fl of a townhouse. I have a mini pc i use for streaming media hooked up to a tv on 2nd fl. I am having issues with blind spot for signal reception. Can't really relocate the router at all since I need wired connection to equipment in room. Being in a multiple dwelling residential complex I am constantly fighting others for band channels to keep a good signal. I cant really add ethernet cable to mix to improve signals so I am asking for suggestions on repeater, ap routers powerline ethernet adapters etc to fix my issue. I thought about getting a AC1200 router to hook up to mini pc. It is my best option for around $100 I think the strength as well as bandwidth are adding to my media streaming issues. Video stream is often slow & lagging. Since the update to this firmware signal has been weaker so I 'm sure that plays a part. I have Fibre 150 internet setup with vpn. I know vpn cuts speed of feed in half. It is most often good enough if I can deal with the Wifi part of the equation. What's a media lover to do? I don't want to spend too much. I'm in Canada so technology is a bit more pricey than south of the border. Otherwise I though about a router upgrade but I dont think that will address area dead spots. Having a second router could possibility help in my desire to isolate rokus etc from more data sensitive devices.

 

[thiggins]

First, what are your bandwidth requirements, i.e. how much throughput does your video stream need?

Are you sure you have a signal level problem, not a channel congestion issue?

I would try a pair of AV2 adapters first
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/rankers/powerline/view

If you have to use Wi-Fi, try a four-stream router in bridge mode on 5 GHz.

 

[Galaxysurfer]

My wifi signal is ok for devices on same floor as router. The main issue is keeping the mini pc connected on the floor below router. I am guessing that structural interference is the root problem there. How well do powerline adapters work? I have seen mixed reviews. It seems to be a more logical solution for me when capturing & retaining a wifi signal is problematic.

 

[Galaxysurfer]

How does connectivity work? It is suggested they need to be connected on same circuit? I don't think that would be my case here.

 

[CaptainSTX]

How does connectivity work? It is suggested they need to be connected on same circuit? I don't think that would be my case here.

They do not need to be on the same circuit. Best solution is buy and try and if they don't work return them. Many people have good results and end up with a faster and more reliable connection than WiFi.

If you have coaxial cable available in the rooms in question MOCA can be an even better option.

 

[thiggins]

How does connectivity work? It is suggested they need to be connected on same circuit? I don't think that would be my case here.

What CaptainSTX said...

 

[Deleted member 27741]

One thing that has surprised me about the 5.0 GHz channels is how much more powerful the high channels are. The FCC rules for the US allow quite a bit more power for the upper channels, I do believe. Could give that a try. I like 149.

 

[thiggins]

One thing that has surprised me about the 5.0 GHz channels is how much more powerful the high channels are. The FCC rules for the US allow quite a bit more power for the upper channels, I do believe. Could give that a try. I like 149.

That was changed at least a year ago. Lower and upper band channel now can use the same power levels. But older routers may still operate at lower transmit power levels in the lower band.

 

[dlandiss]

One thing that has surprised me about the 5.0 GHz channels is how much more powerful the high channels are.

I don't know what the difference is in my house. It is a big multi-story house so the main router doesn't reach all of the corners.

But when I test using the main router only, the 2-digit 5GHz channels give me about 30Mbps downloads in a certain distant corner. The 3-digit channels are too weak to even log in to.

 

[Grisu]

check your region settings, maybe that can help a lot or as AP you can even use older not limited firmware without heavy security issues at home.

 

[Deleted member 22229]

Since the update to this firmware signal has been weaker

Use stock firmware if possible it does have a better signal for sure on the 5GHz band opposed to Merlins for what ever reason but it's a fact. I think it may have to do with Aimesh introduction that's when i started noticing the difference.

 

[Zirescu]

Go with a Powerline device see my signature for options. Even the 5GHz bands are overlapping now in my area with people adding on wifi extenders, only real fix for me was going Powerline for my wired devices and setting up an AP on each floor for the mobile devices.