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Ethernet Speeds are Faster and Better Than Wireless!?

Tags:
  • Wireless
  • Cisco
  • Internet Service Providers
  • Ethernet Card
  • Routers
Last response: in Wireless Networking
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Should I get a new router

Total: 3 votes

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  • No
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September 24, 2014 5:14:04 PM

I currently own the Cisco 42688 Router, which is a router I have used for roughly 3-4 years. My ISP provides me with speeds with 1.5mbs download and 2.5mbs upload. My ping, roughly is around 50ms-75ms. Now, when I hook the Router into the modem, I notice a complete change in performance wirelessly and wired. When wired, my connection into my game consoles and pc performs just as advertised on by my ISP. I get 30-75ms, 1.5mbs download and 2.5mbs upload. Gaming experience is perfect and browsing the web is fine. Now, however, when I turn to my wireless devices, such as the desktop I am on now, my family's laptops and mobile devices, there is a complete drop in performance. From a recent speed test, my ping now jumps to 108-225ms, my download speeds go to 1.0mbs and my upload speeds go to 1.3mbs. This concerns me greatly, and makes the wireless networking a headache for my family.

Here's some strange anomalies that occur wirelessly:
-When downloading a file wirelessly, my speeds reach 300kbs on average, then drop all the way to 0 then climb to 125kbs to drop again to zero. This continues to happen, making a 10.0mb file wait for 2-3mins to download.

-Download speeds are terrible, my Destiny digital download on my PS4, was 16gb that was installed in less than 6 hours overnight. When I install any 6g/7g game on steam wirelessly, it barely downloads, and reaches 4g/5g within the 6 hour time frame.

-The Ping is really questionable as well, I don't understand why when I play wired on my consoles I have no problem, but wirelessly I do.

What I have done so far:
-I've read about Wireless channels, so I changed my router to channel 1, and to 20MHz for channel width, using a 2.4ghz network. I have a 5ghz network possible, but have not bothered to open that.

So what exactly do I do? Do I need to buy a new router? Do I need to change some settings within the router? I know Ethernet will always be faster, but there shouldn't be this much of a discrepancy between the wired and wireless performance of the internet.

More about : ethernet speeds faster wireless

September 24, 2014 7:30:02 PM

Hi there AlexJones343!

This happened to me exactly like how you explained.

The ISP-provided router has really bad wireless performance while with Ethernet it all seems like magic. Fast speed, just as advertised, and all that.

What I've done to fix my problem is to set my ISP-provided modem/router to bridge mode and I bought a new recommended router and connected the two via Ethernet cord.

This way, assuming that the router is really good, it will be very close to being the same as directly connecting your devices via Ethernet to the modem/router provided my the ISP. Again, that's if the router you purchased is good.

If you're wondering, the router I bought it the D-Link DIR-868L AC1750 Router.

Let me know what you think! :) 

Edit: Oh, and also, you can try changing channel to 11, as it's usually the best channel. (Unless all your neighbours are on that channel, of course)
September 24, 2014 9:06:53 PM

Asus RT-N66U N900 Dual band Gigabit router

via pc wired (Ethernet port): Ping - 8ms, DL - 36.72 Mbps, UL - 13.63 Mbps

via pc wireless (on board wireless): Ping - 12ms, DL - 30.06 Mbps, UL - 12.10 Mbps

via 4G LTE Wifi Galaxy S5: Ping - 33ms, DL - 29.82 Mbps, UL - 10.65 Mpbs

Hardwired will always be faster than wireless, if the source units are the same
Related resources
September 24, 2014 11:54:01 PM

boryahjasper said:
Hi there AlexJones343!

This happened to me exactly like how you explained.

The ISP-provided router has really bad wireless performance while with Ethernet it all seems like magic. Fast speed, just as advertised, and all that.

What I've done to fix my problem is to set my ISP-provided modem/router to bridge mode and I bought a new recommended router and connected the two via Ethernet cord.

This way, assuming that the router is really good, it will be very close to being the same as directly connecting your devices via Ethernet to the modem/router provided my the ISP. Again, that's if the router you purchased is good.

If you're wondering, the router I bought it the D-Link DIR-868L AC1750 Router.

Let me know what you think! :) 

Edit: Oh, and also, you can try changing channel to 11, as it's usually the best channel. (Unless all your neighbours are on that channel, of course)


So how do I enter bridge mode for my modem to my router? Could you explain the steps please?
September 25, 2014 2:17:05 PM

okay. Here are the steps:

First, unplug everything except the coax cable and power cord from your Cisco modem/router (I will refer to this simply as "Cisco").

Second, using a wired connection (Ethernet cord), connect a laptop or desktop computer to the Cisco.

Next, access the Cisco setup page (192.168.0.1) and login. After logging in, go to "Administration" tab, and in "Working Mode" choose "Bridge Only" and click save.

Now your Cisco should be restarting to make the changes, in the mean time, power up your router and have an Ethernet cable (preferably a CAT 5e one) connected to your Cisco on PORT 1. Make sure it's connected from Cisco's PORT 1, because in bridge mode only PORT 1 will work.

After the restart completes, you can connect your laptop/desktop computer to the router (not Cisco) and access its setup page (most likely 192.168.0.1, but might be different, check user's manual if 192.168.0.1 doesn't work).

There you will be able to change your new router's SSID, password, and many other features (such as port forwarding, guest networks, etc.)

If you have any devices that you wish to connect to internet via Ethernet cable, connect to the router, not the Cisco.

Let me know if you have any questions or issues! :) 
!