What is keeping my internet speeds slow?

My wireless internet speeds are hovering between 5 and 10mbps. I am not sure whether the wired speed is the same or not, I don't have anything to plug in and test. I have Comcast Blast which is supposed to provide "up to" 50mbps.

The biggest problem is when watching Netflix, it cuts out or gets grainy and the definition drops considerably. 99% of the time while Netflix is running nothing else is.

I am leaning towards the router choking down the speeds, but not sure. This is the equipment that I have:

• Modem: Motorola Surfboard SB6121

• Router: Linksys wireless-G model WRT54G

• The TV is a Samsung that has a wireless USB LAN adapter model WIS09ABGN

I have another newer Samsung TV that has built in wireless, I have not checked that yet to see if it does the same thing.

Do you guys think the router is too old? If so, can you recommend one?

Thanks!

Have you checked if you have neighbours running their wifi on the same channels? That'll have a massive impact on your Wifi speed and connection stability.

How far are the router and wireless adapter from each other? Do you have the same problem if they're in the same room together?

I'd start there, and then we can decide if a router upgrade would be worthwhile.

BoxheadTim wrote: Have you checked if you have neighbours running their wifi on the same channels? That'll have a massive impact on your Wifi speed and connection stability.

Nope, I would not know where to start

Is there an easy way to check that? I am not really computer savvy.

If you have a smart phone, there are apps for them that allow you to scan for Wifi networks around you. They can usually tell you which channels they're on, too.

MCarp22 wrote: How far are the router and wireless adapter from each other? Do you have the same problem if they're in the same room together? I'd start there, and then we can decide if a router upgrade would be worthwhile.

The router is directly upstairs on the room above. I'd say 15' max.

I have not tested it in the same room. I will bring an iPad and try Netflix there tonight.

Check the orientation of the aerials on the router as well, plus if there is anything in between the router and the TV that's not wood or drywall, there's a good chance that it'll affect your signal strength.

Update the router and wireless devices to Wireless-N and you'll likely see a speed increase.

Also see if the speed improves if the device(s) in question is moved around the room/house as the signal may be impacted by walls, furniture, etc.

In my house, I had to add a second router downstairs to cover the main floor as the signal from the router upstairs was dirty and weak enough to cause signal issues.

Ditched the factory firmware in the two Linksys routers for DD-WRT, which is a much more powerful, open-source firmware. It allowed the routers to connect in bridged mode so I didn't have to run a separate network cable between the floors.

The Man.

What turboswede said. You need to go Wireless N.

Wireless G is out dated no matter what anyone tells you. When I was working for Comcast, outdated routers caused about 50% of my internet service calls about wireless speed when 50 Mbps speed was introduced.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: What turboswede said. You need to go Wireless N.

Agree, I have the same service and modem as you. But, I have a Netgear 6300 router. The router is in my office about in the center of our 75'x150' lot and I can connect with the IPhone or my wife's laptop from anywhere on the property with no problems. Speed seems to be the same as with my desktop which is 1' from the router.

Nothing between the router and receiver but drywall and wood.

I am going to order a new router and check. Is this any good?:

ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab

I also downloaded a free app to check the channel thing, but I could not see it. It probably has to be a paid app. I did see that all the devices that were connected to my wireless were mine.

Feel free to suggest any other routers, I just picked what had good reviews.

Yes the Asus 66u is a fantastic choice. You could go with the 56u to save a few bucks if you don't need the extra range the 66 offers.

old_ wrote: Yes the Asus 66u is a fantastic choice. You could go with the 56u to save a few bucks if you don't need the extra range the 66 offers.

Just ordered the 66. Let's see what happens.

Thanks!

I don't see why G would choke it that much. FWIW, people stream HD Netflix on PS3s ands 360s all day long, which are 802.11G

I would:
A) Plug cat 6 from a computer directly into the modem. Do speedtest.
B) Connector router to modem, plug computer directly into router. Repeat.
C) Make sure wireless signals are not overlapping, check for directional interference, etc.

In reply to ProDarwin:

G is not meant to push 50 Mbps wirelessly. Recieving is one thing, distributing is another.

It's been a rare occasion when I saw a G push close to 50. The last of the G routers were made when most providers didn't sell more than 25 to 35 Mbps. Most G routers I've seen on 50 Mbps service didn't push much more than 35 Mbps.

What do you mean it can't push 50? The router can push 54, so can the computer. Not simultaneously though, and not to multiple devices simultaneously. Remember, the router also functions as a hub and handles traffic between devices on the same network, not just from internet service. There's no way it should be hitting its limit that low. There are plenty of people reporting WRT54Gs pulling 50mbps down.

Either way, he's seeing 5 - 10mbps, which is crazy low. I'd start by verifying its a wifi only problem first. If he takes the router and wifi out of the equation and runs a speed test, he should know right away if its a router issue or not.

Is you ISP throttling Netflix?

Hey guys thanks for all the suggestions. This weekend I am going to borrow a laptop and test the speeds plugged in directly to the modem and then router and report back.

I ordered the new modem from Amazon so worst case I can return it. At the end of the day, the modem I have is from 2004 (I asked my brother since he had given it to me) ... it probably is time for an upgrade.

Regarding my isp throttling down Netflix, I have no clue. I am not really all that good with computers, not really sure what to check other than the basics.

Hopefully the new modem gets here by Saturday and I will compare it to the old one.

In reply to ProDarwin:

I'm just going off of 7 years experience of troubleshooting internet issues.

And this is why I run hard wired to my Xbox......screw wifi for gaming/heavy usage.

yamaha wrote: And this is why I run hard wired to my Xbox......screw wifi for gaming/heavy usage.

x2, the modem and router are 2 feet from the ps3 and i plugged it in.

The rating is under ideal conditions. In the real world figure about half the stated rate on average.

Slippery wrote: Hey guys thanks for all the suggestions. This weekend I am going to borrow a laptop and test the speeds plugged in directly to the modem and then router and report back. I ordered the new modem from Amazon so worst case I can return it. At the end of the day, the modem I have is from 2004 (I asked my brother since he had given it to me) ... it probably is time for an upgrade. Regarding my isp throttling down Netflix, I have no clue. I am not really all that good with computers, not really sure what to check other than the basics. Hopefully the new modem gets here by Saturday and I will compare it to the old one.

A good first test is to disconnect the power to the modem and router(s) for about 30-60 minutes to allow any throttling from the ISP to be cleared and resetting the router will help clear any memory leaks that could be causing performance issues.

Ok guys, I was finally able to swap the router today. As a few of you mentioned, I am pretty sure the router was holding back the wireless speeds.

I was not able to test the wired speeds, but I am happy as it is.

Before:

And after:

I am currently using the Asus software but later on I might swap to the one turboswede mentioned.

Thanks much for all the help and suggestions!