Wifi keeps dropping in other rooms

[ipulfer]

I have my router sat in my living room, where its been for 4-5 years that i've had it but recently i am struggling with wifi speeds in other parts of the house. I could be in the next room and suddenly go from getting 100mbps to barely 1mbps to not even being able to get any internet. 

It seems the only room the internet is stable is in the living room right next to the router. I have checked the cables and reset the hub but still it's the same.

I will post my router logs on the next post if that helps?

[ipulfer]

Thanks for the reply - here are the stats

Downstream bonded channels

Channel Frequency (Hz) Power (dBmV) SNR (dB) Modulation Channel ID

1	723000000	6.3	40	256 qam	40
2	539000000	5.8	40	256 qam	17
3	547000000	5.8	40	256 qam	18
4	555000000	5.6	40	256 qam	19
5	563000000	5.6	40	256 qam	20
6	571000000	5.6	40	256 qam	21
7	579000000	5.5	40	256 qam	22
8	587000000	5.5	40	256 qam	23
9	595000000	5.5	40	256 qam	24
10	603000000	5.4	40	256 qam	25
11	611000000	5.5	40	256 qam	26
12	619000000	5.5	40	256 qam	27
13	627000000	5.5	40	256 qam	28
14	635000000	5.5	38	256 qam	29
15	643000000	5.8	40	256 qam	30
16	651000000	6	40	256 qam	31
17	659000000	6.3	40	256 qam	32
18	667000000	6.5	40	256 qam	33
19	675000000	6.5	40	256 qam	34
20	683000000	6.4	40	256 qam	35
21	691000000	6.4	40	256 qam	36
22	699000000	6.6	40	256 qam	37
23	707000000	6.5	40	256 qam	38
24	715000000	6.3	40	256 qam	39

Downstream bonded channels

Channel Locked Status RxMER (dB) Pre RS Errors Post RS Errors

1	Locked	40.3	1353	0
2	Locked	40.3	432	0
3	Locked	40.9	519	0
4	Locked	40.9	756	0
5	Locked	40.3	575	0
6	Locked	40.3	970	0
7	Locked	40.3	918	0
8	Locked	40.3	1040	0
9	Locked	40.3	954	0
10	Locked	40.3	1238	0
11	Locked	40.9	1200	0
12	Locked	40.3	1334	0
13	Locked	40.3	1672	0
14	Locked	38.9	1861	0
15	Locked	40.9	1779	0
16	Locked	40.3	1733	0
17	Locked	40.3	1362	0
18	Locked	40.9	1291	0
19	Locked	40.3	1562	0
20	Locked	40.9	1302	0
21	Locked	40.9	1422	0
22	Locked	40.9	1397	0
23	Locked	40.9	1105	0
24	Locked	40.3	1622	0

Upstream bonded channels

Channel Frequency (Hz) Power (dBmV) Symbol Rate (ksps) Modulation Channel ID

1	53700000	45	5120	64 qam	2
2	39400000	45	5120	64 qam	4
3	46200000	45	5120	64 qam	3
4	60300031	45	5120	64 qam	1

Upstream bonded channels

Channel Channel Type T1 Timeouts T2 Timeouts T3 Timeouts T4 Timeouts

1	ATDMA	0	0	0	0
2	ATDMA	0	0	0	0
3	ATDMA	0	0	1	0
4	ATDMA	0	0	0	0

[ipulfer]

Network Log

Time Priority Description

29/08/2021 15:09:43	critical	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
29/08/2021 08:47:42	notice	DHCP Renew - lease parameters tftp file-cmreg-vmdg505-bbt057-b.cm modified;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
29/08/2021 08:47:42	Error	DHCP RENEW WARNING - Field invalid in response v4 option;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
26/08/2021 16:17:47	critical	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
26/08/2021 14:06:56	notice	DHCP Renew - lease parameters tftp file-cmreg-vmdg505-bbt057-b.cm modified;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
26/08/2021 14:06:56	Error	DHCP RENEW WARNING - Field invalid in response v4 option;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
24/08/2021 01:37:21	critical	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
23/08/2021 13:30:22	notice	LAN login Success;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
22/08/2021 18:54:32	critical	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
21/08/2021 21:41:24	notice	LAN login Success;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
18/08/2021 00:59:54	critical	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
17/08/2021 18:22:53	notice	DHCP Renew - lease parameters tftp file-cmreg-vmdg505-bbt057-b.cm modified;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
17/08/2021 18:22:53	Error	DHCP RENEW WARNING - Field invalid in response v4 option;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
15/08/2021 01:35:21	critical	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
14/08/2021 20:37:52	Warning!	RCS Partial Service;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
14/08/2021 20:37:52	critical	SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Loss of Sync;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
14/08/2021 20:37:50	Warning!	RCS Partial Service;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
14/08/2021 20:37:50	critical	SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Loss of Sync;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
14/08/2021 20:37:18	Warning!	RCS Partial Service;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;
14/08/2021 20:37:18	critical	SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Loss of Sync;CM-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CMTS-MAC=**:**:**:**:**:**;CM-QOS=1.1;CM-VER=3.0;

General Configuration

Network access	Allowed
Maximum Number of CPEs	1
Baseline Privacy	Enabled
DOCSIS Mode	Docsis30
Config file	fg87dsfd;kfoA,.iyewrkldJK

Primary Downstream Service Flow

SFID	12108
Max Traffic Rate	117000047
Max Traffic Burst	42600
Min Traffic Rate	0

Primary Upstream Service Flow

SFID	12107
Max Traffic Rate	10500047
Max Traffic Burst	16320
Min Traffic Rate	0
Max Concatenated Burst	16320
Scheduling Type	BestEffort

[lotharmat]

I'm struggling to see any issues in those hub stats!

The log shows a few T3s but nothing untoward..

[ipulfer]

Do you know what could be causing the issue of the wifi dropping (on my phone, iPad & MacBook) when i walk out of the front room to, say, the kitchen.

Is it an Apple thing? lol

Also this is the error on the xBox we get daily.

[lotharmat]

I'd say it is the Hub's poor WiFi.

Best long term solution is to get your own kit and have the hub in modem mode!

But as a short term fix can you try and split the 2,4 and 5GHz bands?

You'll need to be connected to your hub and type in 192.168.0.1 into your web browser. You'll then need to enter your hub's setting password (this can be found on the bottom of the hub).

Once you've access the dashboard, you'll need to go to advanced settings and then wireless - security. From there, you just need to change the SSIDs of both the 2.4ghz and the 5ghz signal to different names, you can just add on 2G and 5G to the end of the current network name.

Hit Save and then it should work!

Bear in mind that you'll have to reconnect all of your devices to the new SSIDs

[jbrennand]

Are you using the Hub in normal router mode - or have you got your own router?

Also do you have any other wifi equipment of your own in use?

[ipulfer]

Nope - using the hub as it was supplied 5 or so years ago

No other wifi equipment in use either

[jbrennand]

Try what Lotharmat suggested. If it doesnt work then bite the bullet and get your own better quality wireless equipment.

Also/or, connect wny thing you can via ethernet cables - either directly to the Hub (or via a Switch) or through powerline adapters (some have inbuilt wifi too)

[ipulfer]

Thanks - will give it a try

Is it better to connect to 2.4GHz or 5GHz?

Also what is classed as a decent Router if i was to buy a new one?

[jbrennand]

5 GHz is always better/faster and subject to less interference (and is better for iDevices ) than the 2.4 one - although the 2.4 one has the better "range" and some older/cheaper/dumber devices can only use this one.  But it is prone to "interference" because you will be bathed in mutiple signals from neighbours equipment.

Re a good router, etc... here is a post I have made on here a few times - just as a starter for 10 to guide your "research 🙂
_____________________

The cognoscenti will always say (correctly) that the best thing to to do is connect Wireless Access Points directly to the Hub or your own better router by ethernet cables. However some would say a good Mesh will be the best/simplest/most flexible for most average users who dont want to run ethernet cables. .  A Tri-band Mesh system is better for the "backhaul" and for users on high speed packages and umpteen simultaneous connections. Wifi6 is future proofing too.

It depends on your requirements for... better routing features, your house layout, size, construction materials, your tech abilities, and of course, budget, ~£60-80 will get a decent introductory wireless router but 'may' not alone solve the wifi in your house, but spending ~£500 will get the “Rolls Royce” solution of a high-end Wifi6 Router & WAP's or a top end Tri-band Mesh system with WiFi6 (may cost a bit more). You'll probably want something suitable - somewhere within that range - I reckon ~£100-150 is around the “sweet spot” for most standard users, and where you would probably need to start for a standard 2/3-story house if it has brick walls. Less for a one-bedroom modern build flat, more for a stone built 8 bedroom mansion

Another option is to extend the ethernet connections (and wif) via powerline adaptors - they work well for lots of people - including for my "gaming son" in his bedroom and they can be "cheap and cheerful".

Good options for Access points/Wifi routers/Mesh systems come from Ubiquiti, Asus, TP-Link Deco's M4/M5, Linksys Velop's, Netgear Orbi's (and others) – I would stick with these companies whose business this is - rather than “newcomer” and data-driven” companies like Google, Amazon, etc. Also be sure the router or Mesh specifically says that they have 1GB ethernet ports - some of the cheaper ones only have 100Mbps ports. WiFi6 is also future proofing for faster connections.

Recently, just as an example... three of my friends who all live in brick built 3/4 bed semis, just got TP-Link Deco M5 3-packs (~£150) and all said it is - “absolutely brilliant with excellent wifi speeds in all rooms, the attic and the garden, and the App is a doddle to use”. The first Mesh unit becomes the new router - you need to check whether the one you look at has all the "features” you need. Ethernet ports are usually limited to 1 or 2/unit , so you “may” need to add in an unmanaged GB port switch (<£20) in there as well. My mates also get "full speeds" from the ethernet ports on the Deco's in the remote locations. Finally if you get a 2/3-pack of any Mesh system, which doesn’t cover dead spots everywhere, you can just add in extra unit(s).

Take a look at what fits your needs, tech ability, house layout and budget. Use sites like Techradar & Techadvisor for reviews of "Best Routers" or "Best Mesh". Post again if you want personal recommendations from others on your short list