I'm really struggling with my parents' WiFi. It's incredibly slow, with web pages taking over two minutes to load! I feel a bit lost with how all this tech stuff works, so I thought I'd ask for some guidance before I end up buying something else I might not need.
Here's the current setup: There's a coaxial cable connected to a 2-way splitter, which goes to both the cable box and their modem (Spectrum Modem E31U2V1). From that modem, I have a Google Nest H2D router, along with an Eero N010001 and two Eero extenders in the same room as their desktop.
Before this, they had a different Spectrum modem, and things worked much smoother with just the Google router. After upgrading to the new modem, the speed dropped significantly, prompting them to get the Eero (which was recommended by Spectrum). I thought the Eero would replace the Google router, but I ran into issues setting it up wirelessly, so I connected it via Ethernet to the Google router. The speeds haven't improved at all, and I'm feeling pretty stuck! Any advice would be hugely appreciated!
5 Answers
Also, there's a bit of confusion over your terminology. You call it an 'internet modem,' but it sounds like you're actually talking about a cable modem. Make sure that’s the case because it might affect your setup and troubleshooting steps.
To figure out why the WiFi is slow, start by connecting a computer directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. If the speed is still slow, the problem might be the modem or the ISP. If it’s fast when plugged in, then you’ll need to troubleshoot some of the other devices between the router and your internet connection. Simplifying the setup will help isolate the issue.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll give this a shot next time I’m at their place.
You definitely want to check the internet speed package they are on. If they’re paying for 500 Mbps, then it could be an issue with the equipment or setup. If they're on a lower plan, that could explain the slow speeds. What’s the exact speed they are subscribed to?
My mom thinks it's around 500 Mbps, so that should be good, right?
Don't forget to check the physical setup in your house too—things like walls and large objects can block the WiFi signal. It might help to rearrange the equipment a little if you can.
You mentioned having two extenders in the same room—this can create a lot of interference. Ideally, you want extenders placed between the router and the devices in areas where the signal is weak, rather than in the same room. This might help improve the overall coverage and speed.
Also, you should try removing the splitter first. It could be interfering with the signal. Connect the modem directly to the cable and the computer with a good Ethernet cable. Test it that way before adding anything back to the setup.