How to fix an unstable or slow wireless network?

It is not rare that people experience unstable or slow wireless networks. A variety of things can bring wireless interference, such as wireless interference, wireless security mode incompatible, overloading, etc. This article will provide you with solutions on troubleshooting an unstable or slow wireless network.

Solution 1: Position the Wavlink device in an ideal location

Solution 2: Disconnect some devices

Solution 3: Change the wireless channel

Solution 4: Change the wireless security mode and the encryption

Solution 5: Power cycle the Wavlink device and your computer

Solution 6: Manually assign a proper IP address for your wireless device

Solution 7: Disable the power saving feature of the wireless adapter

Solution 8: Check your antivirus program

Solution 9: Upgrade to a newer firmware

Solution 10: Extend the Wi-Fi coverage when using wireless device far away from the Wavlink device

Note: Before proceeding with the solutions below, make sure that the wired network is stable.

Solution 1

Your wireless router’s position can affect your coverage area and the strength of your signal. If you have a modem, you don't have to have the router in close proximity to your modem. Ideally, a Wi-Fi router should be in a central location.

Quick tips to position your router for the best signal:

i. Place the router in the middle of your house. If you place the router in a room off to the side of your house, you won’t get as strong a signal on the other side of your house.

ii. Position the router’s antenna vertically, so that the antenna is standing straight up. Antennas can be adjusted and lie horizontally, but standing straight up is generally the ideal position.

iii. Elevate your router away from floors. You’ll get better reception if the router is on a desk, not on the floor.

iv. You should also pay attention to the kinds of materials the router is near. For example, placing the router on a metal desk or up against a metal wall will cause problems. Signals can travel through a wood desk easily, but metal will obstruct the signals.

Note: A variety of household appliances may cause wireless interference. Depending on the position of the Wavlink device, your networked device, and the appliance, you may even have the wireless network cut out when your microwave or cordless phone is in use. Plus, older Bluetooth devices can interfere with nearby Wi-Fi signals, although newer Bluetooth devices don’t. Ensure that microwave isn’t between the Wavlink device and your wireless devices, in this way, problems with microwaves can often be solved.

Solution 2

The Wavlink device might be too busy to respond to new requests if there are several computers or devices using it. If you have other wireless devices that are connecting to the network, try temporarily disconnecting them.

Solution 3

Interference from other wireless networks in the area can cause issues with your wireless signal.

When multiple wireless networks are competing for the same channel, an unstable and slow wireless network comes. You can change the wireless channel to fix it.

Note: In the same page where you change the SSID, you can also fix the unstable or slow wireless network by changing the Network mode from 11b/g/n Mixed Mode to be 11b/g Mixed Mode.

Solution 4

Changing the security mode may be much helpful in resolving wireless security mode incompatible issue.

i. It is highly recommended to use WPA or WPA2 personal as wireless security modes. Other than providing better security, this will establish a stable connection with your wireless device, especially devices with the latest technology.

For a Wavlink device, you can select WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, Mixed WPA/WPA2-PSK, WPA Personal, WPA2 Personal or Mixed WPA-WPA2 Personal as the Security Mode/Network Authentication.

 

Note: You’d better select AES as the WPA-Algorithms/Cypher Type/WPA Encryption.

ii. Sometimes, the wireless security mode of the Wavlink device is not compatible with your wireless device. You may need to disable the wireless security. This is especially true for older devices and Windows Vista computers.

Note: You can secure your Wi-Fi with Access Control once the security mode is disabled.

Solution 5

Manually assign a proper IP address for your wireless device, which must be within the same range of the router's IP address. For example, if the IP address of the Wavlink device is 192.168.10.1, you can set a static IP address ranging from 192.168.10.2 to 192.168.10.254 for your wireless device, set the subnet mask to be 255.255.255.0, and set the default gateway to be the IP address of your Wavlink device: 192.168.10.1.

Solution 6

An unstable and slow wifi may simply caused by overloading, you can power cycle the Wavlink device, your computer and your modem if any

Step 1:

Unplug the power adapter from your modem first, then the Wavlink device. Shut down your computer.

Step 2:

Power on the modem first, then the Wavlink device, wait for its lights on, and then turn on the computer.

Solution 7

To get a stable wireless connection, you’d better disable the power saving feature of the wireless adapter.

Here we take a Windows 7 computer for example.

Step 1:

Right click on Computer, select Properties, and then click Device Manager.

Step 2:

Point to Network adapters and find your wireless network adapter.

Step 3:

Right click on your wireless network and select Properties, switch to Power Management tab (see screenshot below):

Step 5:

Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, press OK.

Solution 8

Check your antivirus software, just turn it off to check. (Don't get mail or go to anywhere that a risk exists! Only surf only safe sites while doing this test, like Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, etc.) If you find the problem is caused by the anti-virus program, remove and install another one.

Note: Antivirus software often scans the transfer file and slows down the connection. You can turn if off before transferring something and make sure to turn the antivirus software back on after the transfer completes.

Solution 9

After you have tried all the above-mentioned solutions but in vain, you can try to upgrade the Wavlink device’s firmware if any bugs exist. 

Note: You should extend the Wi-Fi coverage when using wireless devices far away from the Wavlink device.

Solution 10

If you need to cover a large area with a wireless signal, one Wavlink device may not meet your need. You can buy another Wavlink router or extender, working as a wireless repeater or range extender to extend its Wi-Fi coverage.

Note: Depending on the Wavlink device, you may be able to attach an improved antenna that gives your signal additional range.