Packet Losses. Should I change my Wi-Fi router?

The Tiger

Honorable
Aug 30, 2013
222
2
10,715
This 8 year-old Netgear Wireless G router is giving me 1.5 Mbps-3 Mbps transfer speeds between computers on the network. While on the internet, when devices are connected through wireless, pingtest.net gives 60% to 80% packet loss and webpages hardly open after several tries. While connected through LAN, there is 0% packet loss and webpages open instantly.

Is the wireless radio done? Or is there too much of interference in the house?

PS: We don't use a cordless phone and there is no Wireless network in the neighborhood.
 
Solution
If the WIRED portion has no issues and MULTIPLE computers have issues with the wireless portion then I'd say the Router/Gateway likely needs to be replaced, yes.

Basic troubleshooting is about swapping parts so you'd have to replace the Router/Gateway to ultimately confirm things, but it does appear to almost certainly be the problem.

By Gateway I mean MODEM+ROUTER which is pretty common, by ROUTER I mean just the ROUTER sans MODEM.

The problem appears to be in the Router's wireless portion.
If the WIRED portion has no issues and MULTIPLE computers have issues with the wireless portion then I'd say the Router/Gateway likely needs to be replaced, yes.

Basic troubleshooting is about swapping parts so you'd have to replace the Router/Gateway to ultimately confirm things, but it does appear to almost certainly be the problem.

By Gateway I mean MODEM+ROUTER which is pretty common, by ROUTER I mean just the ROUTER sans MODEM.

The problem appears to be in the Router's wireless portion.
 
Solution

MartinWilson

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
154
0
10,760
There are other sources of interference that can affect 2.4GHz radio (microwaves, baby monitors etc), so there is still potential for interference within your home.

To be honest though, you've done well getting 8 years out of your Wireless G Netgear - it's probably time for an upgrade?
 


For the PRICE it seems fairly good however I couldn't find any official reviews.

I do like Asus in general and the customer reviews seem good overall.
 


Login to your device and:
a) apply a firmware update if it exits and/or set update to Auto if an option

b) set wi-fi to the HIGHEST security level that all your wireless devices support (if unsure, start at the highest security and check all devices).

c) USB storage seems like a good idea but my router (different D-Link) only supports Always-On type so the drive never shuts off. No idea if this is still an issue.