I've been experiencing some odd issues with my AX86U WiFi speed recently. My ISP provides 1000Mb, and I used to consistently hit that mark—like back in March with my S23 Ultra. However, I noticed a significant drop, only reaching about 400Mb over WiFi now, even though my PC connected via LAN is still getting close to 1.0G. I've tested this using Fast.com and Speedtest, where I mostly get around 250Mb down and 550Mb up, which is quite surprising considering my previous speeds. I also used iperf3 to test the connection between my PC and the S23 Ultra, getting varying results between 550Mb to 820Mb, but nothing as reliable as when I first got the router.
I've tried various fixes: upgrading and downgrading the firmware, resetting the router, changing channel bandwidth, but nothing seems to help. With my warranty nearing its end and wanting to return it if possible, I'm worried I don't have enough evidence of a malfunction since I can't replicate the original speeds. Can anyone tell me what speeds I should expect from the AX86U with my setup?
2 Answers
You might be connecting to a slower 2.4GHz network instead of the 5GHz band, which can drastically limit your speed. A lot of networks crowd the 5GHz channels, causing issues, too. For the best experience, stick with that LAN cable where you can. If you want WiFi access on your phone, consider using a USB-C to LAN adapter, but make sure your phone supports it since that could help leverage the wired connection's speed.
It sounds like you're dealing with some interference issues. Make sure you're on a less crowded channel—neighbors' routers can mess with your signals, especially if they're all on 'Auto.' Also, if you're close to any radar stations, some WiFi channels might automatically switch off, affecting your speed too. While you can get decent speeds with WiFi, nothing beats a wired connection for stability and speed. If you want full performance, using an Ethernet cable is definitely the way to go!
Good point! Just a reminder that if you’re using a 2.4GHz connection, those bandwidths are way lower than what your router can provide on 5GHz. I'm sure you’re already aware, but it's worth double-checking your settings!