This is driving me mad - Wifi fast on laptop but HORRENDOUSLY SLOW on Desktop PC

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thibaut.fruh

Mar 17, 2018
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So I just got my PC back after moving to the Czech Republic. Decent gaming machine, always very clean (no shady downloads or anything), and it was working perfectly when I left home. But now... It's terrible.

And just to clarify... Nobody used it in two months, and it was in a styrofoam box so it did not get damaged.

On my laptop, I get decent 20Mbps (yeah, I live in a flatshare so speed is limited). Stable, too. Enough to play some Rocket League on lowest 720p settings a few time. Got the latest updates and all.

On my desktop PC? F*** all. Zip, nada, a measly 0.12Mbps on Speedtest, not even fast enough to load the Origin homepage.

I managed to speed it up a bit by uninstalling all the latest Windows updates (that keep on installing themselves even if I tell them to **** off and die), since I now score 2-3Mbps on Speedtest. Better, but still 10X slower than the laptop that's sitting right on top of it. NOTHING works. Here's what I tried :

-Uninstalling drivers
-Downloading and installing old drivers
-Reinstalled the new drivers
-Messed with some system files
-Running the PC in safe mode
-Soft resetting my HDD (programs uninstalled, files kept)
-Hard resetting my HDD (files gone too and HDD cleaned)
-Disconnecting my second HDD with all my games and stuff to make sure it wasn't interfering either
-Ran ADWCleaner and CCleaner + full Windows Defender + Avast scan
-Changed Wireless mode
-Ran DNS Jumper to get the best servers

I also tried using my phone's 4G hotspot, and it works kinda okay (40Mbps on 4G). So it seems this issue only affects this computer on this network. I'm running out of ideas, it's driving me insane.


I'd run Ubuntu if I had a thumb drive where I could install it to see it it works better but, eh, gotta do with what you got.

PLS SEND HELP. I miss being able to play with my mates :(
If someone thinks they can help me, please reply here or PM me on Discord - @Lurd#3985
Thanks!
 
Solution
anotherdrew
Your card does 2.4 and 5 GHz (best way to find out is google the model number). Since the modem only does 2.4 GHz, you are connecting to it at 2.4 GHz. Your phone, on the other hand, probably does 5 GHz (google the model number) and it is likely the connection to the hotspot was using that. Since the modem only does 2.4 GHz, your phone connects to it at 2.4 GHz and it works fine. So, we are back to something with your computer. It's not a general problem (like software), I think it has to be something in the 2.4 GHz settings. Go back to your adapter properties via the device manager and look at all the settings on the advanced tab. Past that, I'm stumped for now.
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anotherdrew

anotherdrew

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Dec 27, 2017
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Just so I understand. If you connect the computer to your phones hotspot, you get 40Mbps. You connect to the flat's WiFi and you get 3Mbps. Yes?

If I understood this correctly then the issue is not with the computer. Your computer is capable of getting 40Mbps (and probably a lot more), but it's not getting a good connection to the flat's WiFi. Why? Maybe one wall too many or your desk is bad spot or something near your computer is throwing out interference (some people have been talking LED bulbs causing issues, idk). Many people look at their WiFi indicator and see 4 bars so all must be good, but remember your signal also has to get back the to AP and your adapter likely has a weaker antenna than the AP.

Things to try. Move your computer. Are you using a USB adapter? Put it on the front instead of the back of the box OR get a 6ft USB extension cable and try a couple new places.
 
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thibaut.fruh

Mar 17, 2018
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Yep, basically, around 40Mbps on my laptop, around 3 on the desktop.
I thought of interferences or idk, but my laptop and my OnePlus 5T, sitting right next to the PC, get decent Wifi. I also tried moving the computer in the same room a few days ago, barely got any improvement. The adapter is built in the system, I bought the rig as is and I never changed anything inside.
 
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anotherdrew

anotherdrew

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Dec 27, 2017
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Does the adapter have an external antenna? Is it loose?

If you go (i'm assuming Win10) Control Panel->Network and Sharing->Change adapter settings->double click your adapter ... it should report a speed and signal quality. How do those look?

If you go Device Manager->Network adapter->right click your adapter and click properties->Advanced Tab ... do you have a transmit power? What is the setting? What is Wireless mode set to?

My thinking is that for some reason your adapter is putting out a weak signal (green setting malfunctioning or something?) and so with the hot spot right next to the computer you get a decent connection, but at a distance you don't. What happens if you take your phone to the other room while connected to it's hotspot?
 
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thibaut.fruh

Mar 17, 2018
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No external antenna, everything's built in.
Signal is 4/5, speed is 65Mbps.
I don't see anything called "Transmit power", and Wireless mode is set to Auto. I tried changing it and testing it, no result.
I'll do a hotspot test when my phone's charged, I'll keep you updated on the results. Thanks for helping!
 
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anotherdrew

anotherdrew

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Dec 27, 2017
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4/5 and 64 Mbps is not great and not terrible. Kind of what I expected based on what you have said so far. The difference between the hot spot right next to the computer and in the next room should tell us if we are on the right path or need to go another direction.
 
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thibaut.fruh

Mar 17, 2018
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So I just did the hotspot test. When it's near my computer, I get 10-15Mbps right now (4G speeds are all over the place here). When I put it in the kitchen near the modem, I get 7-10Mbps. Quite a bit slower, but cellular reception is better in my room than in the kitchen, so I'll blame the walls for that.
 
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anotherdrew

anotherdrew

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Dec 27, 2017
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Darn it ... that really isn't a lot slower ... a bit, but not dramatically.

Since I'm kind of at a loss, I am thinking crazy stuff ... I don't know anything about the device your trying to connect to, but I understand this is a shared situation. Many modern access points/routers will offer WiFi at 2.4 and 5 GHz ... what if a lot of devices are connecting at 2.4 GHz (your desktop), while comparatively few are connecting at 5 GHz (your laptop). Since there is less congestion at 5 GHz, your laptop gets more bandwidth ... your desktop, on the other hand, gets less.

Prove my crazy theory wrong ... lookup the stats on your desktop and laptop adapters ... can they both do 2.4 and 5 GHz or just one of them?

As you stated in your OP ... "it seems this issue only affects this computer on this network". I think the computer is ok, but there is something up with "this" network.
 
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thibaut.fruh

Mar 17, 2018
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So I've managed to access the modem's interface by finding out it's IP, and by luckily guessing that the login and password would both be "admin". However, I don't know if that'll be useful at one point. It seems to be limited to 2.4GHz.
Where can I see if my adapters support both 2.4 and 5GHz?
Thanks :)

 
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anotherdrew

anotherdrew

Admirable
Dec 27, 2017
2,007
110
7,790
Your card does 2.4 and 5 GHz (best way to find out is google the model number). Since the modem only does 2.4 GHz, you are connecting to it at 2.4 GHz. Your phone, on the other hand, probably does 5 GHz (google the model number) and it is likely the connection to the hotspot was using that. Since the modem only does 2.4 GHz, your phone connects to it at 2.4 GHz and it works fine. So, we are back to something with your computer. It's not a general problem (like software), I think it has to be something in the 2.4 GHz settings. Go back to your adapter properties via the device manager and look at all the settings on the advanced tab. Past that, I'm stumped for now.
 
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