Wireless download speed is slow - Home Hub 2000

[Popeye238]

I began having WiFi speed issues a couple of months ago, replaced my old desktop with a new one. Bell chat suggested lack of speed was because of age of computer, DL to new one from modem (Bell Homehub 2000) was same as old one roughly 0.3. Upload was fine.  Contacted Bell again was offered new modem or Tech visit. Replaced modem, same issue, contacted Bell again and asked for Tech visit. Tech reviewed my situation, no solution other than wired connection from computer to modem. He wired it and everything is good.

Note. During the lack of dl speed, i also checked speed test to laptop adjacent to desktop...laptop was good dl speed. This was with both new and original modems. I also ran Bell Virtual Repair a number of times and always same result. I asked tech about purpose of router and was told it communicated between my devices. Could the router be causing my wireless issue?

Any suggestions to have my Wireless WiFi back?

[JD · Accepted solution]

There are so many factors that can influence your wifi....if you are getting good speed using wired, that means the service being provided, and the Bell modem are both in good order.

The issue would have to be something inbetween your modem and the device your experincing slow wifi speed and that can include any routers, pods, enviromental interferences, house setup, or device limitations....you will never get more speed on a device than it can handle regardless of how fast your internet is!

Wired connection will always be your best option but if you cant have wired, try taking your device closer to the wifi source and see if speed improves, if it does.....then you know something between your device and wifi source interfering....distance, signal interference, or structural material like thick walls or metal vents.

If you take your device closer to the wifi source and the speed is still low, use another device and see if the speed is just as slow.....if the other device has good wifi speed, then you know its an issue with the first device and not your wifi.  If the 2nd device is also super slow then you know its the wifi.....if its your wifi, look at all the devices you are connected to because the package max speed you are subscribed to is shared by ALL your devices.  It could mean you are running out of bandwidth with all the connected devices you have and a higher tier package might be in order.  To test for this, all you have to do is disconnect all your devices momentarily while running a speed test to 1 device and if the wifi speed imrpoves, that means you need more bandwidth. 

I recommend not to focus on speed for the sake of having good speed...the vast majority of applications dont need very much speed.  If the device is working without connection issues or buffering, thats a win....troubleshoot if there is trouble, otherwise you can find yourself going down a never ending rabbit hole.

[Popeye238]

Thanks JD. Prior to the wired connection, I've used a new laptop immediately adjacent to my slow desktop and the signal to the laptop was close to what I should get, same with cell phones using WiFi only; my desktop was the only wireless item that was receiving ridiculously slow connection speed. Would that point to the router being the issue, since now with a wired connection, I can rule out issues with the computer? 

[JD]

Because your laptop and cellphone (at the same location as your computer) have adequate wifi performance, you can safely rule out that its a modem, signal, or environmental issue.  The only thing left is the computer.....the computer has different parts and setting for wired and wireless connection.  Because your computer is working properly with wired, it sounds like the issue is with your computer wireless adapter or adapter settings.  For some reason, your computers wireless adapter is not able to pick up the wifi signal....again, this can be hardware or software....you know the signal is there because your laptop and cellphone get it.....My recommendation is stick with wired connection BUT if you really want wireless, i would recommend trying one more thing....buy a USB wireless adapter for your computer.  They are pretty cheap costing around $20 and some come with external antennas for extra performance.  If you connect the external usb adapter and you are able to get good wifi performance than you know its you computers internal wifi adapter....if not, than its defiantly a computer setting (software issue).