Wi-Fi too crowded in an apartment

LCraigZheng on 03/06/2015 - 22:09

hello ozbargainers, I m facing a serious problem and I don't know where to look for help.

So a couple months ago we moved into an apartment, everything is fine except one thing: the wifi. So there're at least 20 wifi networks broadcasting around my home and my own internet connection is acting strangely, the ping seems to be good for 90% of the time then jump to 1000~2000ms.i googled around and it seems to be the interferences from other wifi networks.

This won't have much impact on Internet surfing, but if I do gaming, the server will most likely kick me out of the game.

Is there any way that I can overcome this type of interference, would a router with stronger tramsmission help? I don't know if that would decrease the performance for other people's networks…

Internet

Comments

  • CalibreX32 on 03/06/2015 - 22:19
    +1

    @ CraigZheng,
    Have you tried to set your router to a specified channel ? As you mention that there are 20 wifi networks broadcasting hence what if you hide your SSID for the router and connect it manually? Try looking at the forums on Wifi networks to see the broadcast settings which will help to differentiate with other network.

    Another thing is gaming will take higher bandwidth and the traffic stream is relatively heavy hence it would always be better to use gaming routers like Asus AC1900 Routers (They very good for coverage and gaming use) but they are very very expensive.

    Lastly, if you have the same service provider as the other 20 Wifi networks, bascially you are in a bottleneck situation (Usually for ADSL/ADSL2+ networks) unless you are using NBN networks, therefore you also have to take this into consideration.

    • CraigZheng on 03/06/2015 - 23:47
      +1

      Yes I set my channel to 11, which seems to be the least crowded but still. When every household has at least 5 to 10 devices using the wifi, this doesn't seem to help a lot.

      As for the NBN, I don't know if my area is covered, but pinging Googles DNA server gives me latency of 10~20 ms average, I guess the underlying infrastructure in this apartment seems to be pretty good - just I don't get to enjoy it with this bad wifi.

  • Mikinoz on 03/06/2015 - 22:21
    +3

    Try using a different channel for the WiFi, use an app like WiFi analyser to determine the least used channel. Then set the WiFi on the router to that channel.

  • scrimshaw on 03/06/2015 - 22:22
    +6

    I'll bet most people are using 2.4ghz networks. If you have a 5ghz capable router, switch over to that and see if that helps with latency issues.

    • CraigZheng on 03/06/2015 - 23:59

      I've looked into those 5GHZ router, seems like a good solution except the price… A new router might be all I need, the one I'm using now came with Telstra cable internet, it can't even reliably handle a small apartment.

      • scrimshaw on 04/06/2015 - 00:40
        +3

        What about the Xiaomi Mi router? It's $29 USD (37 AUD) from Gearbest and it makes it the cheapest 5ghz Wireless AC router you can buy. It also runs a custom version of DD-WRT and because it runs on MediaTek chipset, it can run 3rd party firmware.

        The problem is of course long shipping, no real warranty and the router has no Gigabit Ethernet (only 100mbps LAN). And the interface without any mods is in Simplified Chinese.

        Otherwise I highly recommend TP Link Archer series routers.

        • CraigZheng on 04/06/2015 - 01:54

          thanks, that's really helpful. I think I probably will go for the TP link, that price for xiaomi is too good for a 5ghz router…

        • andyman1908 on 05/06/2015 - 23:13
          +1

          @CraigZheng:

          I bought a dlink n600 which has gigabit and dual band for $39 from pclan in lidcombe. If your not close to there might be worth checking ebay as ive seen similiar prices delivered on there too.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2015 - 22:26
    +1

    Is it practical to use a wired connection when you game?

    • CraigZheng on 04/06/2015 - 00:01

      i would love to, but my father probably don't like to have all the cables lying around… Besides I have phones and tablets that need the wifi.

      • ESEMCE on 04/06/2015 - 08:02

        Ethernet over Power can bring an Ethernet port to your desktop.
        5GHz WiFi is your best bet though.. Crowded WiFi channels in Apartment blocks is one of the Primary reasons for 5GHz WiFi.
        If all of your devices can see 5GHz, do the neighborly thing and turn off 2.4GHz in your new router so you're not further crowding the area with unused WiFi.

  • plmko on 03/06/2015 - 22:39
    +2

    If you have an android phone get an app like this

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wi…

    then see the channel your WiFi connection sits and select one that overlaps the least with others.

    • Master Bates on 04/06/2015 - 00:07
      +2

      inSSIDer is a similar tool for Windows & Mac

      • CraigZheng on 04/06/2015 - 00:10

        That's exactly what I need, thanks!

    • ESEMCE on 04/06/2015 - 08:03

      Such an awesome app..
      Must be close to the only app that I still have on my phone today that I also had on my first Android.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2015 - 00:06
    +1

    Use Ethernet over Power.
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TP-Link-TL-PA211Kit-200Mbps-Power…

    • CraigZheng on 04/06/2015 - 01:45

      I've heard negative stories for this type of technology, mainly its stability could be problematic, it probably won't work so well since there're quite a lot of people living in this apartment, hence more interferences to the power lines.

      • ESEMCE on 04/06/2015 - 08:04

        It's pretty reliable these days..
        When it first came to market, there was no standardisation, so one brand couldn't talk to another and could even interfere with other brands. These days you ought to be able to connect any brand with any other brand.

      • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2015 - 09:11

        I've run it between my unit and another one 3 doors down, i got 100mbps on disk transfer between 2 pcs

  • Davo1111 on 04/06/2015 - 01:29

    run cable to key points, then have a wifi access point in the family room

    • Euphemistic on 04/06/2015 - 10:20

      This. Cables will solve one problem and possibly create another - trip hazards. If you limit the cables, and carefully place them around the skirting etc it shouldn't be an issue.

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