In reply to a post by drevilbob:

Depends on the wifi link speed, your mac's wifi card maybe outdated or is running the 2.4Ghz Link

Yes still waiting for some some diagnostic info from the OP. At the moment we know that some of the Mac diagnostics indicate an RSSI of -71dBm and an SNR of 21dB.

If the Velop box is in the same room (without obstructions or walls in the way) then I would expect the RSSI to be better than -50 and the SNR to be high thirties and forties. Indeed that is the only way she will get better transfer rates as re higher modulation and coding rates are only available when the physical radio link is in rude health.

We know that her 2017 iMac has an 802.11ac spec WiFi card with 3x3 mimo. So under good conditions it ought to easily connect and transfer at a much higher rate. Ditto the iPhone 7.

This looks like the router I have: Linksys Velop Whole Home Intelligent Mesh WiFi System, Tri-Band, 1-pack

I'm not sure what the "beam forming" option is or what it does?

When I spoke to Linksys tech, they couldn't offer me support because they said the router has been loaded with Community Fibre's own firmware. If I do a factory reset, will it still use the Community Fibre firmware?

I just checked the router via the IP address weblink and the firmware is up to date.

I'm also not sure I'm technical enough to set it up from scratch. There are a lot of settings in there I just don't understand.

Any other suggestions? Clearly there is something not right with the router's WiFi output.

Once again, I'd like to thank everybody for their friendly help and technical knowledge

A quick update. I just did areset by holding the router reset button for 20 seconds, and the WiFi is now pretty much up to what it should be, when holding my iPhone near the router and running a speedtest.net.

But in the next room, just a few feet away, the speed is beyond poor. Could a wall of old VHS videotapes between the router be affecting my WiFi reception?

Good I was hoping a full reset would do the trick.

Yes walls or other obstructions have a massive impact on WiFi throughput. Easily halve or quarter the throughput. It’s just the way it is. That’s why we have multiple access point systems.

Good luck with the new service.

Do you think adding an extension "node" would help?

Yes, but to a point, using mesh type backhaul between the node and the router. That is without a cable linking the node and router, then the connection just uses WiFi between the node and router. If conditions still aren’t ideal (due to surroundings / environment etc) then you will still be held back on internet throughout, even though you may have excellent connection to the node from your device.

Does that make sense? It’s worth a shot, but may not be the magic bullet you’re seeking. You may need to experiment with positioning of the devices to get the best overall connection quality. It works for folks as long as there is a reasonably strong connection between the various nodes and the base router. The trouble is, as you’ve found there are so many variables that can affect performance of WiFi.

Ultimately the best, most reliable connection will always be a cable.

Edited by Pheasant (Sat 06-Nov-21 10:43:43)

Thanks for the tip. I guess it will have to remain an ethernet connection. I just need to drill a hole through the wall now

Changing wifi channel may help but at 5 ghz it would be much of muchness. If you are unhappy of drilling holes in the wall, a good powerline pair of unit may help as alternative bridge. But that depends on the wiring in your house .. Ultimately a mess with a cat5e or greater backhaul will be better.

My new dilemma - I now have the one ethernet cable from the router to my office which has three computers (two of which are old and do not have WiFi).

What is the best way to connect them to the one ethernet cable? Can I keep the main speed for the one main work Mac and split the signal for the other two?