Wi-Fi Dropouts (L-Shaped Apartment)

Gunther on 12/07/2022 - 09:19

Hi All - I live in a L-Shaped apartment and the Wi-Fi doesn't flow around the corner, due to to the double brick and rooms in the way. The phone jack is at one end of the apartment, and the main user are at the complete opposite end (TV for Netflix, Laptops, Tablets, etc). It completely drops out. The internet connection is TPG FTTB (non-NBN product) @ 100Mbps.

Floor map https://imgur.com/a/HPkzvQg

I have tried an Asus Wifi Router (ASUS DSL-AC68U) and a Tp-Link Wifi6 Router (VX420-G2v) on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands, and neither has enough power.

Can anyone suggest any reasonable cost solutions?

Computing

Comments

  • Madelaide on 12/07/2022 - 09:33

    Have you tried installing a wifi range extender half way?

    • Gunther on 12/07/2022 - 10:55

      Not yet…. I don't own any. My assumption was these are not a very reliable product…

      • JownehFixIT on 13/07/2022 - 08:59

        Depends what you get. We recently got a 2 pack of the TP-Link Deco M5 on special (a couple of hundred dollars IIRC), and positioned optimally, this has covered our two storey 4 bedroom home in 5 and 2.4GHz wireless.

        https://ibb.co/HYTfkDP - you could run a LAN cable from the modem to right next to the master bedroom wardrobe (if necessary) and pop an AP there, then position another in line of sight from here out near the A/C unit where the apartment bends. From here you should be right from the elbow to the balcony, if you need coverage out there too.

        Could be overkill as you have the existing wifi router already pushing out a wireless network. As others have suggested, you can just add another wireless device in AP bridging mode to extend the network from the existing wireless. I found the Deco M5 set up to be so easy I just thought I'd mention it.

        We did have to play with locations a bit as we've got some brick that gets in the way from where the main router is located also (where we connected the main M5 AP at first). So we ended up just patching a network port to another location out of the way for the main M5, then installing the next one upstairs in the office, relatively in line of sight of the other aside from plaster/timber walls, and it has been perfect since then.

        Good luck.

  • dasher86 on 12/07/2022 - 09:33
    +6

    in before mesh

    • websterp on 12/07/2022 - 12:05
      +1

      In before Ubiquiti

  • Caped Baldy on 12/07/2022 - 09:36
    +3

    Not a surprise given the terrible layout and placement of the jack. Only option is to knock down and rebuild.

    There's normally heaps of options - you can get a mesh wifi system, powerline adapters or get a wifi extender/repeater. The asus router might be able to be used as an extender according to WP https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/3wj0n7w9

    So have the TP-link in the bedroom and the Asus near the kitchen.

    • avoidfullprice on 12/07/2022 - 09:44
      +2

      I second your suggestion. I would try at first use powerline adapter between master bedroom and dining room, and set wifi router in dinning room.

      If that doesn't work well, mesh it and put second node in dining room.

      Ps Knock down apartment because of wifi dropout seems a bit extreme.

      • pjetson on 12/07/2022 - 13:54
        +2

        Knock down apartment because of wifi dropout seems a bit extreme

        Everything else is just a bandaid solution.

  • geek001 on 12/07/2022 - 09:46
    +2

    Get a mesh system and put a node in where the bedroom 2/dining area is depending on where your power points are. I have the TP-link deco M5 system, it is pretty much set and forget, I haven't had to muck around with the wifi since I set it up. It gave me more time to pursue other pointless endeavours. :)

  • tabz on 12/07/2022 - 09:48
    +1

    Since the ASUS DSL-AC68U can work as as an AiMesh (Asus' WiFi Mesh network) Primary, I'd suggest getting compatible AiMesh nodes and setting up a wifi mesh network at your place.

  • WreckTangle on 12/07/2022 - 10:15
    +1

    That is a crazy shaped apartment

  • Marty156 on 12/07/2022 - 10:32
    +1

    If possible, place the modem/wifi higher up, get away from furniture etc.
    Should easily make any of the following systems worm, in pref over the 5 gHz ones.

    11b 2.4 GHz
    11g 2.4 GHz
    11n 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

  • 7ekn00 on 12/07/2022 - 10:38
    +1

    First try the modem mounted to the wall up high where it currently is (5GHz bounces well off brick)!

    Second, see if the current ASUS / TPLink can be setup in some kind of relay, second device in dining room or cupboard …

    Third, run ethernet cable (through roof / under carpet / behind furniture) from access point to either the cupboard or dining and setup one router more centrally ;)

    Fourth, if none of the above work or unavailable, then ASUS has decent MESH, so buy a plain 68U (no need for the DSL bit) and set it up in the cupboard / dining room (although another may actually be needed in the living area, but test first!)

    Any noticeable difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz? If not, then it may be furniture / fixtures in the way :/

    • Gunther on 12/07/2022 - 11:00

      I can occasionally hold 1 bar of 2.4Ghz in the living area, but that only ever speedtests at 10Mbps or less….5Ghz never works.

      The problem is Netflix drops out completely, and it wont even try and steam at 1080p/4k as it has limited bandwidth.

  • AndyC1 on 12/07/2022 - 10:44

    Seems very strange to only have one telephone jack in the master bedroom bedroom. Are you sure there is not another jack some where else? Could be in a kitchen cupboard or some where in the lounge room.

    Is there any cables in the hallway cupboard? If there is check them out to see if they are phone cables or power or NBN etc. If they are phone cables or NBN then you may be able to get an electrician to put another connector in the cupboard.

    Failing the above I would ask the people in the apartment above and below you where their telephone cable is terminated and tell them that yours is in the master bedroom, which is stupid.

    • Gunther on 12/07/2022 - 10:57

      The other jack was terminated/removed by a previous owner (should be another in the kitchen), and due to it being an apartment there is no access to add another readily without massive wall destruction. Not ideal!

      • Marty156 on 12/07/2022 - 11:13

        If so, check the wiring BEHND the kitchen outlet (if still there or has a blank plate, probably just a dodgy paralleling of phone cabling.
        2.4GHz should easily work there, unless you have a distance over say 50 Metres!
        Do you happen to have any other devices (eg Wireless phone, wifi devices, bluetooth devices anywhere near the receiving ends? These can saturate the receiver, making it deaf.
        Ye olde handfree phone/answering machines were notorius for this.
        Or even some other remote device being noisy.
        Use a simple app on Android phone (for example) like wifi analyser) to measure field/signal strengths of YOUR wifi around the house!

        Place results here.

      • AndyC1 on 12/07/2022 - 11:54
        +2

        The cable will be in the wall and the jack may be plastered over or a cupboard installed over it. It should hopefully be easy to find it and and then get it re-instated. i would be checking this out as then the modem etc will not be in the master bedroom.

  • sam91 on 12/07/2022 - 12:18
    +2

    Try a mesh modem/router setup. I use the Eero 6 and it covers my entire place including front yard and backyard.

  • SydneySchnorrer on 12/07/2022 - 13:30

    Disable your Router's WiFi or Replace It Entirely, Use A 2-3 Satellite Mesh Package. Works Flawlessly & Seamlessly. Extenders are old hack and don't switch well.

  • iDroid on 12/07/2022 - 13:58
    +1

    Can you move the router to near CUP'D - that'd likely solve the issue. If possible I'd run a network cable in the roof to the CUP'D and install it there.

  • abb on 12/07/2022 - 13:58

    Get a telephone extension cable and try moving your router to the laundry or adjacent cupboard.

    If that works, then you can figure out a way to hide the cable or at least make it look nicer.

  • Davo1111 on 12/07/2022 - 17:10

    do you have ceiling tiles? how are the lights hooked up?

    • Gunther on 12/07/2022 - 19:28

      Concrete ceilings. No access for cabling without demolishing walls.

      Mrs won't let me run new cabling up the hallway 🤣

      • Quantumcat on 13/07/2022 - 07:58

        Even if it means she gets to watch Netflix etc?

        Do you have carpet or wooden floors? Should be able to run under those

  • MontyMacaw on 13/07/2022 - 08:14

    Sounds like a job for a professional. Your next post would then be how can you know if somebody is a professional tech person or just some cowboy with a cap and screwdriver.

  • fishing on 13/07/2022 - 22:41

    Aussie broadband is cheapest, easiest and fastest solution. TPG is the problem

    • Gunther on 13/07/2022 - 23:05

      Nice work troll.

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