Wi-Fi Is So Bad. Can't Use Cable - What Can I Do?

Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 20:43
Last edited 21/04/2016 - 14:32 by 1 other user

Hi, all my family is always on the net, downloading,watching stuff, using it. We have like 15 things connected to the Wi-Fi. I'm the most furthest away and getting the worst Net, when I try to game with my friends on the Xbox one. They just complain none stop about how bad my Net is.

How can I fix this? What can I do?

I can't change plans, my father is paying for the Net. We have a AC ASUS high end router. I been looking at getting powerline things but they don't work if the router is not connected to the same power thing. Which I don't think it is, as my house is old and rather big.

Should I pay to get a telephone line in my room? Is that the only thing I can do and how much does it cost?

UPDATE:
I was right, its not the same circuit
were paying someone to make an cable from lounge room to my bedroom for 200 or 250 he said, seems good deal i get a two socket too.

NEW UPDATE:
I got a high end gaming router from ASUS cost me 450 but works good I also enabling QOS and putting me first and gaming first , thanks everyone

Internet

Comments

  • redforever on 17/04/2016 - 20:49
    +4

    If you are preparing to put in a phone line, then why not just get a LAN cable from the router to your room. Then you can even setup another access point.

    • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 20:50

      what? I cant my room is to far from the router….. Like very far 3 rooms away the cable would be infront of the front doorway, and my familys bedrooms plus my dad does not want cables everywhere. what do you mean sorry? I could probably ask dad to dill a hole and lend the cable to my bedroom?

      • miarn on 17/04/2016 - 21:15

        I could probably ask dad to dill a hole and lend the cable to my bedroom?

        That would be illegal, since you need a licence to run cables. Definitely try EoP, just buy them from somewhere you can return them to if it doesn't work. Or else buy on eBay/Gumtree, then onsell if you can't use them.

        • BartholemewH on 18/04/2016 - 10:10
          +1

          Not sure why the negs. You definitely must be a licensed cabler to run cat cables inside the walls.

        • miarn on 18/04/2016 - 10:11
          +24

          @BartholemewH: OzBargain's cheapness is stronger than its desire to follow the law, I think :)

        • Agret on 18/04/2016 - 14:09
          +2

          @BartholemewH: are you sure? It's not an electrical cable so there's no danger with doing it yourself.

        • McFly on 18/04/2016 - 14:25
          +2

          @Agret: Yes, he's sure.

        • JimB on 18/04/2016 - 14:58
          +23

          @BartholemewH:

          BartholemewH is correct. DIY Running a data cable inside a wall is illegal.

          So is jaywalking and changing your own light bulb in Victoria without an electrical licence. .

          What is the worst that can happen? You'll get a fine for jaywalking. I don't think anyone has ever been punished for running a data cable DIY or changing your own light bulb in Victoria.

          Make that what you will.

        • BadGiraffe on 18/04/2016 - 15:35

          You can do it yourself and get someone to come in and certify it.

        • miarn on 18/04/2016 - 15:46
          +1

          @JB1:

          What is the worst that can happen?

          Insurance may refuse to pay out in the event of a fire, due to the unlicensed "electrical" work. I agree it's unlikely the police will come beating your door down about running an ethernet cable :)

        • noz on 18/04/2016 - 16:21
          +9

          @magicmoose:
          I would imagine that they could only refuse to pay out if the DIY ethernet cable installation was the cause of the insurance claim event. Just to place any scaremongering in perspective.

        • BartholemewH on 18/04/2016 - 17:42
          -2

          @noz:
          Try it and let us know? Giving your insurance company any way to get out of an obligation, or to take you to court over a dispute, is an extremely bad idea.

        • junior_thrift on 18/04/2016 - 18:56
          +4

          Cabling licence is required, refer to ACMA website. I would know, I'm a registered cabler! ;)

        • Quotationz on 18/04/2016 - 23:27
          +6

          Haha first I've heard of it. I ran cat 6 cable into 4 bedrooms at my mates house got all the terminating equipment at Jaycar. Save yourself the $$ easy job for someone handy

        • alxr0101 on 19/04/2016 - 01:36
          +4

          @magicmoose:

          So let's put that insurance crock of sh*t to bed.

          The cabling regs state that it ONLY needs to be installed by a registered cabler IF it is intended, or will be connected to a carrier network. Private network……legal.

          So that same cable, should it magically now be connected to a carrier network, doesn't instantly take on a dangerous persona and cause insurance assessors to quake in fear upon approaching the burnt out house, no less than if that same cable was installed…legally…purely to service a totally private network.

          However, certainly if it was abundantly clear that the cable (whether installed legally or illegally), whether for the purposes of a totally private network or not, caused the fire..then…maybe the insurance company could null any responsibility.

          There would be sound reasons for getting a registered cabler, even for a private network, if you didn't know how to run a cable and keep apart from electricity cables, gas heater/chimney vents etc.

        • wozz on 19/04/2016 - 11:40

          @JB1:
          I tried confirming online about the light bulb thing but couldnt find anything concrete. Just those stupid rumor sites

        • JimB on 19/04/2016 - 12:07
          +1

          @wozz:

          It's one of those laws that probably remains because it will take too much effort or cost too much to remove as no one complains about that piece of legislation.

          Here's at least one law firm discussing it http://www.ilaw.com.au/netlaw20.php

          In QLD consensual anal sex does not become lawful until 18, however the chances of being prosecuted at the age 17 is 0.

        • ItsMeAgro on 19/04/2016 - 12:13
          +4

          If you're handy, running your own CAT6 cables is easy and very cheap. A little fiddling around in the roof or under-floor space is the hardest part. A good 10m cable from ebay will cost you around ten bucks. The wall keystone plates can be bought at bunnings or ebay for another $10 or so all up.

          It's technically illegal to run your own network cables, but so is making a backup of a blu-ray you own (not pirating, purely for legit reasons).

          There's no safety issues, getting a network cabling license doesn't require you to learn anything that's not common sense. The licensing laws exist solely to benefit full-time cablers. They want to try to stop DIYers from doing it themselves. Think how much money they make charging hundreds per hour to run simple cables.

          Last I checked you can legally run your own HDMI cables (and I think speaker cables?).

        • macrocephalic on 19/04/2016 - 16:48
          +1

          @BartholemewH: It's because this particular law is stupid. You can run a 30m cable across the floor of your home - from one end to the other, but if you poke it through a hole in the wall then it's illegal.

        • BartholemewH on 19/04/2016 - 18:33
          +1

          @macrocephalic:
          I didn't refer to the law being stupid or not. (p.s. It is stupid. I still stay within it by hiring registered cablers).

        • Slippery Fish on 19/04/2016 - 21:21
          +1

          @junior_thrift: you missed the golden opertunity to say "im a lisenced terminator" lol

        • bowdo on 20/04/2016 - 13:49

          In Victoria you can run Ethernet in the walls no license required (less than 48v).

        • fredzfrog on 20/04/2016 - 15:55
          +1

          @JB1: You can jaywalk if you're a sparkie?

      • SirFlibbled on 19/04/2016 - 14:29

        Talk to your dad about getting a proper wiring done. My dad's house is huge and he's had wifi problems since wifi was invented.

        Last year he finally ponied up for a wired network in the home after seeing the great results I was getting from mine (I bought a new place and got them to install them exactly where I wanted it). The wifi now sits in a central part of the house and doesn't miss a beat.

        Highly recommend it. It's a costly option but it makes a huge difference and basically future proofs your home.

        • Slippery Fish on 19/04/2016 - 21:22
          -1

          Phones also kill wifi, make sure there is no phones between you and router.

    • arcticmonkey on 19/04/2016 - 07:58
      +1

      What can you do?

      Blame Turnbull for botching the NBN. This has more:

      http://youtu.be/dMAA4XCmaNk

  • bonezAU on 17/04/2016 - 20:55
    +2

    How far away is the router from the room you want to connect your Xbox in? The powerline adapters are good, do you have any way of knowing the power points aren't on the same circuit or are you just presuming?

    You could always buy some and test, if they don't work return them to the shop.

    • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 20:57
      -3

      I said above post how far it is and it would get in way of everyone and my dad said he donst want cables everywhere. The house is very old. and BIG i dont think their on the same circuit

      • bonezAU on 17/04/2016 - 20:59
        +4

        All you've said is "but they dont work if the router is not connected to the same power thing which I dont think it is as my house is old and rather big."

        You've just basically said you don't think they'll work because your house is old (what's that got to do with the price of eggs in China?), but you haven't given them a try.
        How will they get in the way, and what cables will be "everywhere"? It's just a small unit that plugs into each powerpoint and an ethernet cable that connects from the powerline unit to the device.

        • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 21:00

          oh no i meant running a cable all though my house I cant do that. and above post i said The house is very old. and BIG i dont think their on the same circuit but i could give it a try.

        • gummibear on 17/04/2016 - 22:55

          @shadowrukia:
          Just buy it from officeworks, they seem to be pretty lenient with returns that aren't due to faulty hardware.

        • Solarlux on 18/04/2016 - 09:54
          +2

          @shadowrukia:
          An older house usually has less power circuits, just look in the fuse/circuit breaker cabinet to see if there are more than one fuse/circuit breaker named "power". anyhow it is probably more pertinent that the adaptors are connected to the same phase, few houses have more than one phase connected unless they are running a big assed air conditioner or a big workshop. Best advice is give it a go!

        • Rukiata on 18/04/2016 - 10:00
          +2

          @Solarlux: I was right, its not the same circuit
          were paying someone to make an cable from lounge room to my bedroom for 200 or 250 he said, seems good deal i get a two socket too.

        • jatcave on 18/04/2016 - 10:04
          +2

          @shadowrukia: I'm running powerline network. My two units are definitely not on the same circuit and it works great. My house was built in the 50's I think, 60's at best. Buy from JBHifi. Take care opening the package. If it doesn't work for you, they'll take it back.

          On a side note. I'm not exactly sure that I'm actually using my own internet anymore as my usage has not gone up since I installed them. Speeds are right though.

        • dazweeja on 18/04/2016 - 16:04

          @shadowrukia:

          Powerline adapters work across circuits, just not phases. I've used them in two old houses and in both they were on different circuits.

  • IceCreamBandit on 17/04/2016 - 20:57
    +3

    I been looking at getting powerline things but they dont work if the router is not connected to the same power thing which I dont think it is as my house is old and rather big.

    Wouldn't hurt to try. Cheap ones that show up here can cost around $50. Buy it from a place like Officeworks and return it if it doesn't work in your house, and say the plugs were not fit for purpose (but obviously keep all packaging and make sure everything is in perfect condition).

    Should I pay to get a telephone line in my room? is that the only thing I can do? and how much does it cost?

    Set up costs depend on length of contract (longer contracts may waive installation fee, but means your commitment is longer), but then you're paying for an additional internet service, so on going cost will depend on your plan.

    Another option is to talk to your family, negotiate a set time where you're allowed the full bandwidth for gaming, and they get other times to download/watch whatever they want.

    • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 20:59
      +1

      lol that wont happen, everyones on the net all the time. There wont be anytime they get off unless their out but even when their out its still bad

      • IceCreamBandit on 17/04/2016 - 21:01
        +1

        lol that wont happen, everyones on the net all the time. There wont be anytime they get off unless their out but even when their out its still bad

        *they're.

        If the bandwidth is still bad when no one else is using it then you've got no other options. You'll need to change ISP or plan to get something better.

        • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 21:02

          optus. and im not paying so i cant change,

  • blakeclayton12 on 17/04/2016 - 21:10

    same thing ended up happening to me. i ended up paying for my own optus cable @ 100pm for unlimited. best decision i made.
    i know you said cant do cable, but what about getting your own naked asdl2+ plan. comes from satelite to no cables from the house?

  • [Deactivated] on 17/04/2016 - 21:16

    Word of advice:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAKG-kbKeIo

    • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 21:22

      Lmao

  • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 21:21

    how much does it cost for someone to Wire Your House With Ethernet Cable?

    • IceCreamBandit on 17/04/2016 - 21:34
      +1

      Expensive. If your speeds are already terrible with no one else on your network, then don't go to such extremes as nothing could improve.

      Can you get your Xbox to your router, plug it in via Ethernet and see if the speeds/ping are decent then? If not then there's definitely no point doing anything else

    • ItsMeAgro on 19/04/2016 - 12:16

      Hundreds of dollars. DIY is tens of dollars, and not difficult, but technically illegal.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 17/04/2016 - 21:35
    +2

    If you a living in a single story house, use run the Ethernet through the roof to your room, what you need is a long Ethernet cable.just drill a small hole(enough for the cable head RJ45 to pass through)

    Or you could run it through the window and around the house to get to the your home.

    Or you can get netgear Router instead, the night hawk netgear router may be better than your Asus router.

    • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 21:55
      +2

      we got a basement a big one under the floorboards so it would be easy though there i think

    • Stoz on 18/04/2016 - 11:20
      -2

      Bad advice, you need a license to run ethernet cable through walls / ceilings / floors. Imagine the problems caused by insurance if there is a fire (even unrelated to the cable).

      • Flatlined on 18/04/2016 - 12:06
        -2

        What nonsense numpty!
        Ethernet cables run on tiny voltage and are not power cables.
        If you live in a place where the regulator has said its illegal to run them through walls, you need to move!

        • Stoz on 18/04/2016 - 13:30
          +2

          Regarding fire, the risk isn't from the signals traveling over the ethernet cable but from either unexpected interactions with the existing mains cabling delivering mains power into your network equipment and possibly the PSTN or from using the wrong type of cable which will allow a fire to easily spread from one room to another using the cable in the wall.

          Apparently though the issue is that ACMA says you can't connect anything that hasn't been installed by a "registered cabler" that runs through the walls / ceilings / floors to the telephone network, which would cause a problem at least for an ADSL connection. Some speed test results posted by the OP elsewhere in the thread look like it is probably an ADSL connection in this place.

          More info here: http://www.dansdata.com/askdan00011.htm

          And directly from ACMA:

          http://www.acma.gov.au/Industry/Telco/Infrastructure/Cabling…

          https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2014L01684

        • airzone on 18/04/2016 - 13:56
          +6

          If you live in a place where the regulator has said its illegal to run them through walls, you need to move!

          Move out of Australia is the only option then.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 18/04/2016 - 13:27
        -1

        Can you please let me know the link say that running Ethernet can void the insurance? How about running it out from the window?

        • Stoz on 18/04/2016 - 13:55
          +1

          You'd have to check your individual policy. Also ask yourself if you trust your insurance company to not attempt to knock back a claim if they thought they could get away with it.

          At issue is a do-it-yourself "permanent" cable install (through the wall etc, regardless of if it has faceplates attached or just goes straight from device to device). This is different to buying a long cable and running it across the floor or even through a slightly opened window.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2016 - 14:15
          +1

          There are no outdoor rated cat 5e/6/7 on the market and there is a risk of lightning, water damage, collapse, etc by running it outside out the window. It's just a really bad idea for a permanent install.

          It doesn't have to be specifically started in an insurance policy, it is just a reasonable argument they could be willing to make if there is a problem which they think they could pin on having a dodgy wiring job

        • paulojr on 19/04/2016 - 23:08

          @The Land of Smeg:

          running an expose cable outside is reasonably risky.

          could consider installing it inside of an insulator… (e.g. appropriately rated cable duct)

  • frondono on 17/04/2016 - 21:55
    +2

    If you're using 2.4ghz try changing your wifi channel to 1,6 or 11 and see how you go. I'm not sure about 5ghz channels, but different channels can make a big difference with 2.4ghz. do a speed test in your room and do one closer to the router and compare your results. I like ozspeedtest. If you really want to get technical you can allocate yourself more bandwith if your network is getting congested.

    • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 21:55

      I have done that already

      • frondono on 17/04/2016 - 21:57
        +1

        That's pretty much all the magic tricks I know. If you have foxtel, use the powerline connectors that come with it and see if that makes a difference.

  • Randxyz123 on 17/04/2016 - 22:24
    +3

    First thing is first. Do some basic troubleshooting.

    Do a speed test on your computer over wifi. Do this a couple of times so you get an accurate reading. Next do a speed test plugged in directly to the router. Are the speeds improving? If so move on below. Otherwise keep reading.

    It is possible that because you have an old house the wiring is very old from the street to the house. Optus will come and sort this for you. You'll need to find out what the expected speeds for your plan is and if you are getting significantly lower then you can claim that you aren't getting what you/your dad is paying for.

    Try doing ethernet over power.

    Office works has a good returns policy so go and grab some power line adapters. Be very careful with them and don't take any unnecessary plastic off, and try it out.

    Why do you keep saying you can't change plans? Course you can. Speak with your father find out how much he is paying now, then start researching plans. Maybe you can upgrade to cable/NBN?

    • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 23:42

      were on a contract ?

      • PleasureMe on 18/04/2016 - 19:23
        +2
        • we're
        • stonkered on 19/04/2016 - 12:52
          +2

          We're, actually. If you're going to go anal, at least go full anal.

  • SirCH on 17/04/2016 - 23:10
    +2

    Is the problem with the WiFi on your Xbox or is it just that everybody is using the internet at once?
    If it's a problem due to poor wireless signal and you can't use Ethernet over Power (EoP), you could try a WiFi range extender. IIR Xbox One supports 5GHz so get a 5GHz range extender and connect to the 5GHz network.

    Having an ASUS router, you could also run Tomato on the firmware and have a particular amount of bandwidth allocated to your Xbox only (online gaming shouldn't take much), be careful though - although it's unlikely you can brick the modem if you install Tomato poorly - but I think this might be your best option.

    You could get another Internet connection just for yourself, but 3G/4G isn't going to be great for latency and if you can only get ADSL then you're looking at paying $299 just for the installation of the 2nd phone line plus any other costs relating to the internet connection itself. Having said that, 4G might be a better solution than you currently have and likely would be cheaper than installing a 2nd phone line. Just connect back to your home internet for any downloads and use the 4G purely for online gaming.

    • Rukiata on 17/04/2016 - 23:46
      +1

      to many people using the wifi and I think we do have old wiring on street and in house

  • Rukiata on 18/04/2016 - 00:13
    +1

    I run a test but most my family isnt downloading or using the net much right now thats because its midnight..

    Wifi Your Line Speed
    12.39
    Mbps (12,387 kbps) Your Download Speed
    1.55
    MB/s (1,548 KB/s)

    With cable in router
    Your Line Speed
    13.79
    Mbps (13,794 kbps) Your Download Speed
    1.72
    MB/s (1,724 KB/s)

    donst seem much of a boost. is that normal and right?

    • psyren89 on 18/04/2016 - 10:40
      +1

      Your line speeds are excellent.

      If you understand how wi-fi works, then you'll understand why your performance is so bad if you indeed have 15 devices connected.

      You can either get cabling done (messy and more expensive, but worth it in the long run), or use EoP (which I've done to connect my PC to the router upstairs).

      • SnoozeAndLose on 18/04/2016 - 10:54

        The type of wifi need to depends on the router.

        Netgear nighthawk route has the new version of wifi, which set up a direct link with the device instead of wait in a queue.

        That is to say if there is any device in your wifi network one is show and response time are slow it will slow the whole network as the route will need to wait for it to response before processing other device first.

        back to the question the line speed are great when no other device being used, may be better to find out which device is BT a lots which drag down the whole network. you can log in the router and see which device send and receive the most packets.

        Or invest in a wifi extender which convert a wifi to Ethernet, I found it work well with 3 mbps to 5 mbps speed.

        • psyren89 on 18/04/2016 - 12:22

          Netgear nighthawk route has the new version of wifi

          Could you be more specific? That's really vague and doesn't refer to any standards we can investigate further.

          which set up a direct link with the device instead of wait in a queue

          All devices must wait in a queue, whether they're wired or wireless. It's the only way to avoid packet collisions when there's more than 1 user on the network, regardless of which interface they're using.

        • SnoozeAndLose on 18/04/2016 - 13:29

          @psyren89:

          Here you go Netgear

          Streaming and Gaming
          Enjoy buffer-free streaming and gaming with Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi ADSL/VDSL Modem Router. A powerful dual core 1GHz processor and WiFi speeds up to 1.9Gbps keeps you connected to speed while the advanced QoS prioritizes gaming and streaming so other connected devices won't slow you down. Features like two USB 3.0 ports allows you even more convenient and quicker streaming from the router-connected USB drive. Nighthawk also offers secure remote access to your home network via VPN.

        • psyren89 on 18/04/2016 - 14:43

          @LoveBargain15:

          QoS is not new technology, though it would greatly help the OP's situation.

        • SnoozeAndLose on 18/04/2016 - 14:45

          @psyren89:

          Sorry I would say Netgear enforce the QoS therefore it would be better than his current ASUS router?

        • psyren89 on 18/04/2016 - 14:50

          @LoveBargain15:

          No, the ASUS will have QoS as well.

        • Rukiata on 18/04/2016 - 19:48

          which Netgear nighthawk router are we talking about?

        • supnigs super skids on 18/04/2016 - 20:52
          +1

          @shadowrukia:

          on android get wifi analyzer. scan for best wifi channel to use and set to that. Choose a channel that isnt congested.

          Next, if your wifi has it, try 5gz or 2.4ghz. you will find 2.4 has longer range and wall penetration - use that, if permitting enable higher power output on wifi TX/RX. or even a repeater. they can be had for under $20.

          enable QoS on router if it has it. change rules such that it puts you or your type of traffic into the priority queue before others. QoS helps a lot when set right for highly utilised links.

          ethernet helps with your wifi reception issues, however will not help when your internet link is maxed out - you need QoS rules for that.

    • KMeister on 19/04/2016 - 00:23
      +1

      What's your ping delay? That's more important than your overall bandwidth when it comes to multiplayer games.

  • Sage on 18/04/2016 - 00:25
    +1

    FYI ethernet cables come in all colours, and you can get flat ones that are easier to hide.
    That's what I used, I got a flat ethernet cable that matches the walls and it's not very noticeable while my internet performance is much greater.

    Reading through this thread it seems going under the floorboards is a good option.

  • mattyman on 18/04/2016 - 09:22

    Does your modem support QoS (Quality of Service)? That will probably be the best way to get things working, although it's going to require a bit of reading on your part. It allows you to prioritise data packets based on source, destination, data type (video, web browsing etc).

    • Rukiata on 18/04/2016 - 18:51

      Yes it does, and im not the best at understanding things and reading things no idea what that means lol

  • WT on 18/04/2016 - 11:06
    +1

    If range is the problem try using cut open cans on the antennas. Its free and takes about 2 min to try

  • chinezejew on 18/04/2016 - 11:23

    http://cplonline.com.au/tp-link-tl-pa411-kit-av500-mini-powe…

    Officeworks don't stock this item

    BUT… id buy one from a reputable retailer ie: officeworks and keep the receipt.
    {the price point will likely to be higher than CPL's $56)

    Test it out.

    Record your findings, then return it to officeworks for full refund.

    OR… borrow one from someone and test it.

    very likely your entire home is under one circuit.

  • Stoz on 18/04/2016 - 11:33

    Ethernet over Power adapters can work over multiple circuits, but it depends on a whole bunch of factors. They work fine in my house which was built in 1985, but were a bit hit and miss making it out to my powered garage. Try to plug them straight into the wall powerpoint, not into a power board (especially not one with surge protection). Like others have said this is probably your best starting point, then return or on sell them if they don't work for you.

    I got a pair of 500 Megabit ones from ALDI for $50 and they do a pretty good job, but I'm looking to eventually replace them with Ethernet run under the floor and up the wall professionally to increase performance and reduce power usage.

    • Flatlined on 18/04/2016 - 12:09

      I think 30m is the limit for PoE. But a cat 5 Ethernet cable unpowered works over a range of 300m+

      • Stoz on 18/04/2016 - 13:34

        Are you talking about Power over Ethernet or Ethernet over Power? (they're different)

      • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2016 - 21:59

        No you will get massive issues and around the 90 or 100m mark is the limit before you need a repeater.

    • Cobalt_ on 18/04/2016 - 12:28

      EoP will only work if both power outlets are on the same phase. If your house is multi-phase and the outlets are not on the same phase then they will not work.

      • Stoz on 18/04/2016 - 13:48

        Probably. What I was trying to clear up was some other people in the thread saying it has to be on the same circuit.

  • Cobalt_ on 18/04/2016 - 12:49
    +1

    Op you should conduct some tests before paying anyone to install a cable in your room (FYI you want a data cable not a phone line cable [preferably Cat6]).

    The problem with Wi-Fi is that it tends to drop packets quite frequently which is usually not a problem with regular web traffic but can be a huge show stopper for online gaming, especially FPS. If you have a windows based laptop handy you can do a few tests first to confirm if this is a potential issue.

    Test:
    - With a windows based laptop (sorry don't know MAC stuff, maybe someone else can advise), ensure you are connected to your network via wifi. Set your laptop up relatively close to your Xbox so it will be working from a similar range for the purpose of this test.
    - Open a command prompt window [Press Windows Key + R, then type CMD then hit enter] A black CMD window will open.
    - Type "ipconfig" without the quotes, then hit enter.
    - Look for a line called "default gateway", this will have the IP address of your router. This will usually be something like 192.168.1.1 or 10.1.1.1
    - In the CMD window type "ping router-ip -t" without the quotes. For example "ping 10.1.1.1 -t"
    - This sets up a persistent ping to your router. Leave it for about 3-5 minutes
    - You will see something like this scrolling across the CMD window "Reply from 10.1.1.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255"
    - After 5 minutes hit "Control + C" This will stop the ping process.
    - You will notice at the bottom of the CMD window will now be a Ping statistics summary. You want to look at the line with "Packets: Sent = X, Received = X, Lost = X (X% loss)". You will also want to observe the min max and average latency information.
    - If you are dropping packets and/or getting high latency to your router, then a cabled solution may help your problem.

    If this is the case, you should move on to your next test. As someone suggested, purchase a 20m ethernet cable. Inform your family that you are conducting a test and not to trip on the cable that you are about to run from your room to your router. Once you have plugged the ethernet cable in, repeat the same test above and see if that resolves your packetloss issues. Once you have confirmed this you can safely get a data cabler out knowing you won't be wasting your money.

  • scupper on 18/04/2016 - 13:12

    WiFi analyzer on Android and inSSIDer for Windows/Android makes it easy to do that checking.

    • Cobalt_ on 18/04/2016 - 13:50

      I don't see any options for setting up a persistent ping under Wifi-Analyser, it just appears to show signal strength which isn't what is trying to be accomplished here. Alternatively the Op could download Overlook Fing on their phone, do a network scan, and then ping his router from that. However computers/laptops have similar hardware to the Xbox whereas mobiles and tablets are a bit different.

  • Gershom on 18/04/2016 - 13:32
    -6

    Here's a plan. Get a job, leave home, rent a place, get your own broadband, grow up, stop whining like a spoiled brat.

    LET THE NEGGING BEGIN!

    • scrimshaw on 18/04/2016 - 13:35
      +1

      http://i.imgur.com/6WOplUP.gif

    • Nillionaire on 18/04/2016 - 13:37

      If you haven't noticed yet, she's mentioned in a previous post she's quite young.

      • Gershom on 18/04/2016 - 13:40
        +2

        Is shadowrukia a girl's name?

        And no, I stopped reading half-way through when I got tired of the overblown sense of entitlement.

        • scrimshaw on 18/04/2016 - 13:50
          +1

          Sense of entitlement?

          I thought this was just a discussion on how to solve a technical issue with severely limited financial constraints.

          Does it make any difference to whether the OP is a child, an elderly pensioner with no money or a Klingon?

        • Gershom on 18/04/2016 - 13:55
          -1

          @scrimshaw:
          Yes, it makes a vast difference.

        • Nillionaire on 18/04/2016 - 13:57
          +1

          Rukia is a girl's name. Best known from Rukia Kuchiki, a character from the anime Bleach.

          The original post easily suggested that she was quite young living with her family, with all due respect.

        • moonphase on 18/04/2016 - 17:39

          @Nillionaire: Doesn't mean that guy cannot use that name at all. Hasty generalization!

        • Nillionaire on 18/04/2016 - 18:40
          +1

          @moonphase: Not a hasty generalization at all actually. I wasn't guessing her gender from her name, I've followed her previous threads before and know that she's a girl.

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