We have been missing emails, sent and receiving, and get the spinning wheel of doom on the TV. Cable company said all looks fine on their end, signal strength and no outages to our house, and suggested it could be a bad router (1 1/2 years old)

What are the recommendations for routers? We have items that only run on 2.4G so 5G not a necessity. Cost not an issue, reliability is. Oh, and ease of setting up for a non-computer person like me.

Thanks for thoughts.

I am VERY happy with my Netgear Orbi mesh router system.

I believe I have their AC3000 series, a router plus one satellite.

I say “I think I have” because I spend almost zero time worrying about it or having to intervene to fix an issue. I certainly don’t even think about replacing it although it’s likely a dinosaur in their product line these days. I bought it maybe 3 years ago. I have an 1800 sq. ft. house with a lot of aluminum infrastructure.

I routinely test my speeds with Ookla and I get 360 MBPS next to the main router downstairs and 340 MBPS near the satellite upstairs. I get about 310 MBPS on my back deck, too. I am paying for 300 MBPS through my ISP.

Before any actual hardware replacements you should evaluate your signal with software at different point in your house.
It could be the physical proximity of the AP.
Relocating could do wonders.
Also consider not using a "router", turn off the one in the existing router and relocate the AP (wi-fi only device) closer to the use area.
Additionally, the client could be the culprit a well if it is not configured correctly, or in poor physical health.

Lastly, you will get in future posts > "I use XXX, it is great with no problems....etc"
The recommendation is meaningless, you need context to determine viability.

First try to relocate, second get a wi-fi only device aka AP, turn off the one in the existing router and locate the AP closer to the use area.

I install Engenius brand AP's mostly but they are not the only good ones.

Good Luck

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Before any actual hardware replacements you should evaluate your signal with software at different point in your house.
It could be the physical proximity of the AP.
Relocating could do wonders.

This ^^^^^

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Also consider not using a "router", turn off the one in the existing router and relocate the AP (wi-fi only device) closer to the use area.

To clarify: Consider not using the WiFi access point built into the router. Acquire an Access Point and site it more optimally for coverage--turning off the AP function in the router.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Lastly, you will get in future posts > "I use XXX, it is great with no problems....etc"
The recommendation is meaningless, you need context to determine viability.

Yup.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
I install Engenius brand AP's mostly but they are not the only good ones.

That's my preferred brand of APs, as well.

I never use the ISPs all-in-one modem/router/switch/AP. I turn all that stuff off and use it for a cable modem only. I use my own router, network switches, and access points--all separate devices dedicated to doing those one things each.

Wait for a minute.

What is the source signal? Fiberoptic from cable company? Copper wire from cable company?

What is the first object that connects to that source? A cable company set top box for your TV? A WiFi box? A splitter that sends the signal to a set top box and a WiFi box?

How are you connecting the supposedly bad router to the signal? From the set top box? By ethernet cable? By coax cable?

Are all your connections and cables good? All the cable company can say is they see a signal at their end point, be it a set top box or their router.

When is the last time the WiFi router has been powered down?

Mesh WiFi is a great system. Not always cheap. A three=pack of Google WiFi mesh routers and accesspoints was simple to set up. But, it is Google.

I rent a WiFi router from Verizon. It simplifies things.

I went with Orbi Mesh setup when I purchased my ring DB since the signal had to move longways through a cinder block wall and other walls. I set the main router next to the modem then walked around with signal app and ring app and determined the best locations for the second unit and picked the second most optimal location because #1 was in my kitchen and I didn't want it in there.

Zero problems in the house and greater coverage in the yard.

Orbi from Costco - No problems.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:.
Lastly, you will get in future posts > "I use XXX, it is great with no problems....etc"
The recommendation is meaningless, you need context to determine viability.

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:
Orbi from Costco - No problems.

Classic!

Assuming you bought something relatively modern, a 1.5 year old router isn't exactly old.

This isn't really troubleshooting if the cable company, who hasn't actually been to your house, is suggesting YOU change YOUR hardware. Of course it isn't their problem...

Silly question but what service (read speed/bandwidth) are you supposed to be getting from your ISP/cable company? I wouldn't take their word for anything until I ran a speed test from a local device, preferably wired laptop/computer, and find out if it matches what your're paying for from your ISP.

https://www.speedtest.net/

I suggest this:

First measure your ISP speed without any WiFi. In other words, use a real Ethernet cable from your router to a laptop or other computer and measure the speed. Some of the newer laptops may require an adapter since some don't have RJ-45 connectors.

How does the speed compare to what you are paying for? Let's start there.

only after this test would I think about what the WiFi is doing.

I only use WiFi when I'm forced into it. Like for the iPhone and iPADs.

I made the investment and ran Cat-5e to everything I could. The Roku, All computers, the Samsung TV. All of my security cameras of which there are 8. I did this because WiFi can and does face so many problems. Even a microwave oven can interfere with WiFi.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:.
Lastly, you will get in future posts > "I use XXX, it is great with no problems....etc"
The recommendation is meaningless, you need context to determine viability.

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:
Orbi from Costco - No problems.

Classic!

Precisely.

I have this



EnGenius EWS377APv3 mounted on the ceiling about dead center in our 1300 sqft. ranch. It covers the entire main floor, the basement, the attached 2+ car garage, and the back patio. (Though it starts to get a bit marginal on the back patio.)

If we had a 2600 sqft. or better home, a second floor, etc., it might not.

Do you really mean "router"? Or do you mean "modem"?

How do you connect to your internet service provider? Is it an "all in one" modem/router/wifi device?

Do you own the box, or is it leased/provided by the ISP?

I would start by plugging a laptop directly into router via an ethernet cable to see how internet works first maybe doing speed test to see if problem is router or wireless. I assume you have power cycled ISP modem and router also recently to see if that resolves issue or not? 1 1/2 years is not that old. Also these devices do not like heat that can happen if they are stacked on top of each other or in enclosed area. Also highly recommend at least a decent surge protector for those electronics if not one with a battery backup.

Listen to smschulz and ensigmatic, they will walk you through the logical way to diagnose your issue.

If you just want to haphazardly throw money at the problem, then I had this one and it worked great as is, but my wife said no:


Now I have this one which I believe is the same as ensigmatic’s, it works great and my wife approves:


It covers our 2,400 sqft ranch inside, but not out. Metal roof, low-e glass, metal lathe stucco walls with metal foil covered insulation. I live in a Faraday cage.

since your router is only 1.5 yo, it sounds like something else may be up, UNLESS your old router was a no-name cheap unit. IF you end up replacing it, don't skimp on name brand or power, get a good one. Lots of good avice already in this thread, try out their advice if you can, you may find the issue or help narrow down what the problem is not.

I've had similar problems with my set up a couple of times since installation in March of this year.

Both times, I ended up turning off the modem and the mesh node connected to the modem. Waited a minute, turned it back on and everything was fine again.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Both times, I ended up turning off the modem and the mesh node connected to the modem. Waited a minute, turned it back on and everything was fine again.

Have you tried rebooting only the mesh system?

Reason I ask is: I've several times seen reports by users of various mesh systems having performance or connectivity inexplicably go south and rebooting the mesh system restoring things.

This is one of the reasons I'm not fond of mesh systems. There's too much hidden performance optimization going on that sometimes seems to trip over its own feet and get them into a weird state.

We currently have cable internet but not connected to the tv as cable tv. We have a Surfboard modem and an EERO wifi. It works perfectly for us and both were plug and play installation other than adding our own password to the wifi. We also had to call the cable company for them to do some kind of activation of our modem over the cable.

However, in the past when we had the tv hooked up as cable tv there were problems. Lots of intermittent dropouts etc. We had a Y signal splitter in the cable with one going to the tv and the other to the internet modem. We needed some kind of cheap little impedance match or signal attenuator something or other that our son figured out for us. Once that was inserted it worked perfectly.

I would start with disconnecting either the tv or the internet from the cable and removing any splitters. See if things work better. Then swap which is connected and see how it works. Then put the splitter back in and see what happens. This will tell you if you have a hardware problem or if it is something to do with the cable wiring.

quote:

Originally posted by urbanwarrior238:
We have been missing emails, sent and receiving, and get the spinning wheel of doom on the TV. Cable company said all looks fine on their end, signal strength and no outages to our house, and suggested it could be a bad router (1 1/2 years old)

What are the recommendations for routers? We have items that only run on 2.4G so 5G not a necessity. Cost not an issue, reliability is. Oh, and ease of setting up for a non-computer person like me.

Thanks for thoughts.

Location is important, checking signal strength is a good idea, simply moving it could help, if it doesn't then consider a MESH system

If the WiFi from the Cable Company modem is active connect your TV or other device directly to their WiFi, see if the problem persists or is eliminated.

For the recommendations that mean nothing, however, it is what you asked for, I have run Netgear Orbi Mesh, and now run a Netgear Nighthawk AX3000 WiFi 6, on sale at Costco, $50 off, price $229. House is just over 3000 plus garage, patio, yard, coverage is now excellent and can even get WiFi at the furthest point in the back yard when mowing, which we could not using a single point router/wifi.


Link Netgear Costco



Have also installed a Google Mesh at the daughters, three puck system and it eliminated all the dead spots in the house and extended coverage on the patio, house is 3500 sq ft plus a very large outdoor patio. $139

Link Google Mesh

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Both times, I ended up turning off the modem and the mesh node connected to the modem. Waited a minute, turned it back on and everything was fine again.

Have you tried rebooting only the mesh system?

Reason I ask is: I've several times seen reports by users of various mesh systems having performance or connectivity inexplicably go south and rebooting the mesh system restoring things.

This is one of the reasons I'm not fond of mesh systems. There's too much hidden performance optimization going on that sometimes seems to trip over its own feet and get them into a weird state.

No, I haven't tried that but that's a good thought. The first one, I know it was connected to the modem because the hard wired router I have was also affected. It was most likely from me turning breakers on and off when I was trying to map outlets and switches.

This last time it does seem like it was only the devices connected to the WiFi so I'll try that next time. And by rebooting the mesh system, I assume that's just disconnecting power to the main node because that's what I did? I don't see anything physical on the nodes themselves or on the app. I guess Google is making it so simple and foolproof and I'm not that ingenious of a fool.