My internet connection used to reach around 160 Mbps on my PC through Ethernet and a booster, since the main router is two floors below. Recently, streaming videos and games became much slower, and my speed dropped to about 1.8 Mbps. Restarting the router did not help. An older laptop connected directly to the router reached about 400 Mbps, but its speed fell to around 20 Mbps when switching to Wi-Fi. I also tried powerline adapters rated up to 1,000 Mbps, but they only deliver about 30 Mbps to my PC. Could faulty drivers, a damaged cable, Wi-Fi interference, or the booster and powerline setup be causing this? What should I test to get back to my usual speeds?
3 Answers
Drivers are possible, but the fact that a direct laptop connection reaches about 400 Mbps makes a general service problem unlikely. If only one computer is slow, update or reinstall its network and Wi-Fi drivers, and test with another device. If multiple devices are slow through the booster, focus on the wireless extender or powerline setup. Some network adapters can also behave badly under heavy peer-to-peer traffic, so temporarily testing with that software closed—or using a live operating system—can help separate a hardware or driver issue from a Windows configuration problem.
Start by testing each connection separately. Turn off or unplug every booster, repeater, and powerline adapter, then test Wi-Fi right beside the main router and test a laptop directly by Ethernet. If those speeds are normal, the problem is with the equipment or connection between the router and your room rather than your internet service or PC. Powerline adapters depend heavily on the quality and layout of the house wiring, and their advertised speed is only a best-case maximum. Also check whether their management software reports a weak link speed.
The original cable or the in-wall Ethernet run could be damaged, even if the router itself is working properly. Try a known-good cable connected directly from the router to a laptop, then test the longer cable or wall connection separately. A cable tester can check the wiring, but comparing direct and extended connections is a useful first step. Also clarify whether the slow result is from Wi-Fi or from a different Ethernet connection, since those point to different causes.
I’ll try testing the router, Wi-Fi, booster, and powerline connection separately when I’m home.