Wifi problems

Hi Franco,

Right, ok, my laptop is upstairs with my router in the same room, despite a big room but I have the issue even when I sit right next to the router. Up until I set up the ISP modem, with my Nighthawk, my laptop and all other devices were connected to the router directly. The extender is only for my Fronius solar inverter, which I did mention and only the inverter was connected to the extender. The extender is Netgear WN3000rp, nothing special, didnt need more just for the inverter, but at least its the same brand as my actual router.

Just today after I set up my ISP modem that has lower range I had to connect few other devices downstairs to the extender to get better speed for these devices. The reason why I purchased Nighthawk.

I still have a hard time why that problem is only with my new laptop. Cant it be that this wifi adapter is loosing signal?

After I wrote my last message, ever since I havent dropped out once with 5Ghz and 4 devices connected but the other devices are idle. I ve been streaming without any issues. That was the same with Nighthawk but I only had max my laptop and 1 or 2 mobiles connected.

Just changed to 2.4GHz, 6 devices are connected and I get speed of 15.8/ 1.7.

You said:..." if it works regularly when it is individually connected to your home wi-fi network. This is a fixed point."

Individually as directly connected or only by itself without other devices? That laptop hasnt been connected by itself to the router for a long time. I did a speed test and powered on one by one the other devices and checked the speed. As said, its always been connected directly to the router.

My laptop works when my extender is on, as long as not many other devices are used (not connected to the extender but router) and thats usually other laptops using bandwidth or Xbox.

You still want me to do it all again? I know it must be frustrating talking to normal no tech people but please try to explain how other devices can interfere with my laptop but doesnt cause problems to others. And if so, what would be the solution for that one? Should I throw out the other laptops so my new laptop can live a peaceful life, although its me who would have a more peaceful life? :P

Hi,

I will try to answer all your doubts.

You wrote: "I still have a hard time because that problem is only with my new laptop. Can't it be that this wifi adapter is losing signal?" I answer you: No, because otherwise the problem would arise even when your laptop is connected individually to the wi-fi router. The laptop connected individually to the router, I mean your laptop connected to the router with all other devices turned off.

Then you wrote: "That laptop hasn't been connected to the router alone for a long time." I answer you: It is necessary to keep the laptop connected alone to the router for a long enough time to check if the problem recurs or not. A time of only 5 minutes is not very indicative. If during this test the laptop continues to work fine, the problem is not your laptop. If the problem still recurs with this test then it is a problem with your laptop. So first of all you need to be sure about this test.

You don't need to be an expert technician to perform these tests.

Then you wrote: "but please try to explain how other devices can interfere with my laptop but not cause problems for others. And if so, what would be the solution for that?" I answer you: The other laptops or devices definitely don't have it same hardware as your laptop. In addition, other laptops do not run the same programs that run on your laptop, so the behavior can be different. Once the interfering device has been identified, it should be removed, replaced or updated.

I'm sorry but I can't be clearer than that.

Thanks Franco. I understand, that was certainly clear enough and will do the test again properly.

Cheers

Hi Franco,

I found the problem.

I connected my Nighthawk again.

In my Nighthawks settings I can edit device names so I know what devices are connected without checking my self-made MAC (device) list constantly.

I can also click to see a list of allowed devices currently not connected and a list of blocked devices. Something I haven’t checked before.

After resetting today again and editing the names, I’ve noticed that this time my mobile that I connected to 2.4 and then 5GHz are listed separately in my device list with a different MAC address. One will show active as it is and the other one is visible in list under currently not connected but different MAC. Now I cant use 2.4 without issues on my mobile. I know that shouldn’t be, no matter what band I am using the MAC will always be the same!?

Only the device that is actually connected will show with IP but when I click show devices currently not connected I see the devices without IP and different MAC. When I reconnect that device to that particular band it will have a different IP to the band it was connected before and same fake MAC.

Google helped me to identify that this MAC doesn’t exist or doesn’t belong to a certain manufacturer but most likely coming from my own network, router.

Can you follow what I am saying? This is not normal, is it?

I had my laptop asleep, when I turned it on again, I saw another device connected to the router without a name and an unknown MAC. I blocked it and lost internet on 2.4. I had to go on 5Ghz to allow this MAC again and now all 2.4GHz devices have vanished on the list. 2.4GHz is completely down and I cant connect to 5GHz either, no devices could. And now the fake MAC of my Mobile is gone. I would have to reset that router again.

Seems that router is a goner and I am back on my ISP modem.

Clearly this was and is causing my IP and gateway issues?

But then again, I did have issues with the other modem as well. 2 issues?

Test is still ongoing. Kids are homeschooling, hopefully only until Thursday, since we are in lockdown, then I can do the tests proper. This morning I had 3 laptops and 2 mobiles connected and had hardly issues. It never dropped out but speed does reduce greatly at times.  

Will see what happens

Thanks again.

Hi ThornySeeker6 ,

I find it hard to follow you because you are following different paths and you have not yet done the test that I have suggested.

The test you need to do is very simple:

1. Temporarily turn off the Range Extender and all other laptops and devices.
2. Connect only your laptop to the wi-fi network for at least 3-4 hours. Did the laptop perform well during all this time? Was the speed smooth? Yes or no?

Based on how you answer me, I will tell you how to proceed.