Solved Network issue?

[PwnFrnzy]

I've been having issues with my internet speeds lately. Would would be at regular speeds then get very slow, webpages that load in 3 seconds take a minute or more, then the connection would return to normal speed.

I'm using a Wireless Belkin USB adapter for internet, any way to stop the random slow-downs?

 

[TBoyd]

Where does your Belkin Wireless adapter get its signal from - a wireless router inside your place?

 

[PwnFrnzy]

Yes.

 

[TBoyd]

Is it possible that any neighbors are accessing the web through your router? Hopefully you have it secured.

Also, you could try changing the wireless channel it is using. If it is on auto-detect, change it to channel 1, 6, or 11. Try each one & see if you get any improvement. You may have interference that is slowing down your speed.

 

[PwnFrnzy]

I manage the network for my family and I have seen no suspicious activity. The network is protected under WPA2 Personal.
I have never heard of this "channel" thing you are telling me about, can you please explain?

 

[TBoyd]

Check online for instructions on your wireless router. You should be able to access it by entering 192.168.1.1 in your browser. The manual for your router will have the default password to access the software in the router. You should access the router from a PC or laptop that is physically connected to one of the router ports.

Once you access the router, navigate around the menus until you find the channel settings. See what channel it is set to - or if it is set to auto-detect. Try other channels - particularly 1, 6, or 11 - whichever the router is not currently using.

What make/model is the router?

 

[vidanova]

Hi
I read your help with interest I`m in the UK and have just changed my channels on a Belkin router to 6 and 1 and it seems better but it also depends on internet traffic as its very quick am, but slows down pm when people get home

 

[TBoyd]

Hi
I read your help with interest I`m in the UK and have just changed my channels on a Belkin router to 6 and 1 and it seems better but it also depends on internet traffic as its very quick am, but slows down pm when people get home

Very true. Many ISPs are great when they first get started. Then they run strong advertising campaigns to increase their customer base, but often don't increase their total bandwidth they provide. If the slowdowns are definitely due to excessive traffic, you might consider shopping for another ISP if available.

Changing channels on your wireless router can often help - if the problem is not due to the case I just mentioned. If you live in an apartment building & have many close neighbors with wireless routers (and sometimes cordless phones operating at 2.4 Ghz), there can be a slowdown if there are too many of them operating on the same channel.

I have set up some wireless access points made by Engenius, and they have software included that enables you to do a local scan of other wireless units within range. It reveals the signal strength & the channel they are working on. This makes it easy to select the best (least used) channel.

 

[seth500]

I have set up some wireless access points made by Engenius, and they have software included that enables you to do a local scan of other wireless units within range. It reveals the signal strength & the channel they are working on. This makes it easy to select the best (least used) channel.

That a good piece of info...

 

[PwnFrnzy]

I have a Linkys WRT160Nv3, the channels are set to auto-detect on. Network Mode is in Mixed mode taking Wireless G, B, and N modes. The channel width is also set to automatic, being at both 20MHz or 40MHz. SSID Broadcast is disabled to prevent possible intruders.

EDIT:
I have found the issue. It was not my wireless connection at all, it was the newest Version of Adobe Flash Player, after downgrading to 10.2 the speed was blazing fast like it was before. But what puzzles me is how would a simple Flash Player hurt internet speeds?

 

[TBoyd]

That is interesting. I'm glad you solved the problem.

FWIW - I've read that the auto-detect function for channel selection doesn't work all that well in most routers.