Recent drop in wireless speeds

Before I decide to purchase a powerline, I would like to see if I can remedy this issue, as it is a very recent problem. This may seem very broad, but, I've been experiencing an unstable wireless connection. On a wired connection, I'm receiving my full service of 100/100. However, on any other wireless device, my speed would vary from ~10-50/~10-50 (I was receiving a full 100/100). Even with speeds between ~10-50, I'm experiencing terrible ping spikes and constant video stream buffers. I've tried changing the channels for my 5GHz and 2.4GHz connections to no avail. I also recently changed the splitter, but, I doubt that's the cause, since the problem only appeared a few weeks after the change. I'm on a Verizon FIOS connection, using the Quantum AC1750 router.

Any feedback would be most welcome.

 

What Wi-Fi card are you using?

 

Intel 7260 AC. I'm not sure if it's the wifi card though, as the problem is present for all devices that are on a wireless connection.

 

Is the issue only when accessing the internet or are you also seeing speed degradation between PCs on your network?

 

I ran a wireless test. Hooked my wired PC to the router and set it as the server. Using a second PC as the wireless host, the results were, transferred 1.4GB at a rate of 40Mbits/s.
I ran a 2nd test with the wireless PC right next to the router. Transferred 1.2GB at a rate of 34Mbits/s.

So I'm guessing it's the router, but, I'm not sure what exactly is causing the issue.

 

Any possibility Verizon did something to the router? Like a firmware upgrade?

 

Not that I know of. I just did a speed test, and my speeds are now 100/100. But, it's pretty late in the evening (10:25 PM). So I'm guessing it could be a traffic issue?

EDIT: Nevermind it's back to its usual self. 50/50.

I do remember having slow connectivity during peak hours 4 months ago. However, Verizon kept it hush hush, and since I was one of the few to catch this problem and be persistent about it, they told me what was causing the hiccups. Apparently, the router in my area was over capacity during peak hours, and they were planning on moving some of the customers to a second router. I was shifted up in queue for that transfer. I'm pretty sure that I've been transferred at this point. The current issue, seems like a different beast. My connection has been at a constant low the entire day, unlike the previous issue, where it was only during peak hours.

 

You may want to check with them, I could be wrong but I believe they have access to make changes on your router.

 

Verizon support is terrible. They treat you as if you were an elder who never used a PC. I contacted them several times already, and by the end of it all, they kept insisting that I purchase a wifi extender or some sort. They told me that wireless speeds won't be as fast as wired connections (which is obvious), but, as I experienced before, I had stable 100/100 connections for a few months.

 

The wireless speed you are seeing are like wifi G, are you sure you're connecting with AC? Even N would give you more than 40Mbps.

 

Yeah I'm on a 5GHz connection with AC. As before, out of the blue I received a 100/100 connection, but that's a rare sight.

 

So I just came out of a long live chat with the Verizon tech support. They kept repeating the same thing. The only solutions they've tried was factory resetting the router. Which hasn't worked. I had to repeat myself several times, I've been receiving a stable 100/100 speed on a wireless connection for the past month. However, a few weeks ago, there has been a sudden change in stability. It seems like an anomaly, dropping from a stable to 100/100 speed to a ~10-50 down/up. The wired connection has been able to retain the 100/100 connection though.

 

@BBoBBo Let's stick to one band and troubleshoot that, otherwise it's a mess.
Make it 5GHz as it's less crowded there.

What is your connection speed (between router and your computer as shown by Windows)? Not the actual transfer speed.
What OS and driver version for 7260 do you use.
Check in advanced driver settings is U-APSD is set to disabled?

Use software like inSSIDer (preferably v2) to see what 5GHz channels are occupied and what is the signal strength. inSSIDer 2 might not work on Windows 8.1 and 10 (I don't remember if it does)

 

From my observations, the speed is between 230-520 Mbps.
Currently using windows 10 and the driver version for the 7260 is 18.33.0.2.
U-APSD is disabled.

There aren't many 5G connections around my neighborhood. Regardless, my 5G channel has been set to 165, For the signal strength, it's about ~50-60 dBm. I've done some testing a foot from the router and I received the same results (~20dBm).

 

IS the connection speed also between 230-520mbps when you are so close to the router?

 

It's around 700-900. However, I still get the same speed for both ranges.

This morning my speed has been around 100/100, regardless of the signal strength. Can it be that the router is becoming congested during peak hours?

 

But as the same time when speeds go down on Wi-Fi you still get max speeds when wired to the router, right?

 

Yes, while the speeds on the wireless devices drop, the speed on wired is always stable. That's why I'm debating whether or not I should get a powerline. But, I don't want to resort to that yet, as it seems like all my wireless devices experience this slow down, and not just my laptop.

Can it possibly be caused by multiple interferences by my neighbors' routers? During peak hours, there could be a higher amount of activity from those routers? I could be speaking out of ass though.

 

That would make sense if there were lots of neighboring networks and yours would be at least partially overlapping with theirs.
Since this is not the case it's hard to imagine what would be causing issues (at least on 5GHz band, on 2.4GHz that can be anything).
Check DHCP leases on the router to verify that only your devices actually use your network...

 

So I guess it isn't the neighbors' routers, as I made sure to change my 5G to a channel that isn't used in my area.

At the moment my connection is pretty stable. As for the leases, it seems like only my devices have used my network.

 

Dumb question, but could it be interference from a microwave oven being used nearby?

 

That is possible however like OP said, Wi-Fi channel interference was the issue as I guessed..

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

 

@TomJGX He didn't say Wi-Fi channel interference was the issue, in fact the said the opposite. This is still unresolved.

Also as to the interference - while microwave, Bluetooth and many other non-Wi-Fi devices are known to cause interference on 2.4GHz, none of those apply to 5GHz band (except for some older cordless phones) and since the OP has the same issues on seemingly unoccupied 5GHz channel, I think we can rule that out as well.

 

Nope, the closest microwave is a floor above the router.

I have no clue what might be causing this issue. I did receive the full speed this morning, now it just dropped. At this point, I might just give in and purchase a powerline.

 

Well the router might be carp. That would explain it

 

I guess it could be... It seems like it'll cost me money to return the router and receive a new one (even though the error seems to be on their end). I might just purchase couple of powerlines then.

 

Are you sure the ISP hasn't throttled you for any reason?