WiFi speed graph very erratic
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- gamma jay
- Posts: 25455
- Joined: 17 Mar 2010, 17:33
- Location: Cape Town
WiFi speed graph very erratic
Hi,
Over the holiday's I've noticed that my wifi has been very erratic. I am used to a fairly constant graph that shows minor peaks and valleys, but for the last two weeks it has been up and down in huge crests and dips (or peaks and valleys if you prefer). See image below of one of my speed tests via Ookla...
I phoned my ISP and they said I am getting the correct speeds (or constant service) from their side.
I checked all the settings on my router (and even changed the WPA2 password to ensure I was not being pirated)
I also bypassed my router by plugging the LAN cable directly into my PC
With all the above, I still got big fluctuations in my speed tests. To clarify, the average speed I am getting is just less than I normally get, but the fluctuations are very apparent when I browse and download.
Since I am relatively sure it is not my ISP, and I am 100% sure it is not my router, what else can cause these fluctuations? Nothing has changed in my house...no new electrical equipment to cause disturbance. My router is in the same spot it has always been? Could it possibly be the increase in broadband demand in the neighbourhood? Since many are on holiday and possibly visitors from upcountry visiting families...all sharing bandwidth...could this be the cause?
Any pointers will be appreciated.
TX
Over the holiday's I've noticed that my wifi has been very erratic. I am used to a fairly constant graph that shows minor peaks and valleys, but for the last two weeks it has been up and down in huge crests and dips (or peaks and valleys if you prefer). See image below of one of my speed tests via Ookla...
I phoned my ISP and they said I am getting the correct speeds (or constant service) from their side.
I checked all the settings on my router (and even changed the WPA2 password to ensure I was not being pirated)
I also bypassed my router by plugging the LAN cable directly into my PC
With all the above, I still got big fluctuations in my speed tests. To clarify, the average speed I am getting is just less than I normally get, but the fluctuations are very apparent when I browse and download.
Since I am relatively sure it is not my ISP, and I am 100% sure it is not my router, what else can cause these fluctuations? Nothing has changed in my house...no new electrical equipment to cause disturbance. My router is in the same spot it has always been? Could it possibly be the increase in broadband demand in the neighbourhood? Since many are on holiday and possibly visitors from upcountry visiting families...all sharing bandwidth...could this be the cause?
Any pointers will be appreciated.
TX
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Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- 5StarLounger
- Posts: 1120
- Joined: 26 Jan 2010, 11:32
- Location: "What a mighty long bridge to such a mighty little old town"
Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
Have you got flashing LED Christmas lights on your tree (http://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/can-chris ... our-wi-fi/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)?
John
“Always trust a microbiologist because they have the best chance of predicting when the world will end”
― Teddie O. Rahube
“Always trust a microbiologist because they have the best chance of predicting when the world will end”
― Teddie O. Rahube
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- gamma jay
- Posts: 25455
- Joined: 17 Mar 2010, 17:33
- Location: Cape Town
Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
That is a very good suggestion John...and could account for the erratic nature due to the flashing. Sadly no. The tree has optic fiber lights and has been off since the day after Xmas, so its not that.
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- cheese lizard
- Posts: 6241
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- Location: Sydney Australia
Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
I've got a WiFi radio in the kitchen, on top of the microwave. When I use the microwave, the WiFi connection drops out completely. Could be some interference from some equipment in your dwellings or surroundings.
Cheers, Claude.
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- gamma jay
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
I know its not in my house but your right, it could be in my neighbourhood.
I'll have to see if there is an app that will help to trace interference.
TX
I'll have to see if there is an app that will help to trace interference.
TX
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- GoldLounger
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
It could be ALL of the new devices in the neighborhood that are being used.
They just may be hogging the bandwidth!
They just may be hogging the bandwidth!
I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living
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- Panoramic Lounger
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
Blame it on El Niño.Rudi wrote:...what else can cause these fluctuations? ...
Ken
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- Administrator
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
I have a cordless doorbell, with a number of receivers in different rooms around the house. The bell in the kitchen stopped working a few week's ago, and it took a while for me to realize that this was caused by my new Wireless Access Point that was in a different room, but on a direct line between the bell push and that receiver.
StuartR
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- gamma jay
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
Never thought of that!!stuck wrote:Blame it on El Niño.Rudi wrote:...what else can cause these fluctuations? ...
Ken
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- gamma jay
- Posts: 25455
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- Location: Cape Town
Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
So did the door bell ring when you switched on your PC?StuartR wrote:I have a cordless doorbell, with a number of receivers in different rooms around the house. The bell in the kitchen stopped working a few week's ago, and it took a while for me to realize that this was caused by my new Wireless Access Point that was in a different room, but on a direct line between the bell push and that receiver.
TX for raising the point of interference.
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- cheese lizard
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
I've been trying to figure out what the problem could be Rubi, and I think I figured it out now, at nearly 2 am local time. I think the interference could be Rudi
Cheers, Claude.
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- gamma jay
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
Of course...a well know and recommended freeware app is: inSSIDer Home.Rudi wrote:I'll have to see if there is an app that will help to trace interference.
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- Administrator
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
An app like inSSIDer will tell you about WiFi signals, but not about other uses of the same radio frequencies such as doorbells and microwave ovens.
StuartR
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- BronzeLounger
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
I was going to suggest trying a different WiFi channel or even changing to the other radio if you have a dual-band router, but if you are experiencing this erratic behavior while you are hardwired, I don't think your issue is WiFi related.
Regards,
Paul
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts his sails.
Paul
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- gamma jay
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
TX Paul. My assumption is that it is in the neighbourhood; all the extra traffic on the net due to holiday makers and such.PaulB wrote:I was going to suggest trying a different WiFi channel or even changing to the other radio if you have a dual-band router, but if you are experiencing this erratic behavior while you are hardwired, I don't think your issue is WiFi related.
I'll wait for after the holidays and see if it evens out.
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- gamma jay
- Posts: 25455
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Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
Understood. TX Stuart.StuartR wrote:An app like inSSIDer will tell you about WiFi signals, but not about other uses of the same radio frequencies such as doorbells and microwave ovens.
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- gamma jay
- Posts: 25455
- Joined: 17 Mar 2010, 17:33
- Location: Cape Town
Re: WiFi speed graph very erratic
You think? And all this time I was assuming it was Santa Claude.Claude wrote:I think the interference could be Rudi.
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.