Really Slow Wi-Fi Problem
 

First of all, sorry for being such a "noob" when it comes to computers... I will admit it, I am not at all a "techie" kind of guy, I own a Mac and use it for 2 things and 2 things only: schoolwork and porn.

Lately my Internet has been running really slow, I am on Shaw and using the SMC wireless router issued by them. Pages just load really slow, downloads are super slow as well. It's SO slow that I can't even run the Speediest on Shaw's site (keep getting "Latency Test Error").

However, when I plug my laptop into the router using the Ethernet cable, my Internet runs more or less fine. Speedtest results are 20 mbps down/0.6 mbps up/9ms ping. I also called Shaw and they said everything is okay on their end of things.

Not sure what else could be causing this issue... I am only about 20 feet away from my router (it is downstairs and I am in the room directly above it). Moreover, the problem only began this week with zero change to any type of configuration. Please help!

Recommendation #1 -- reboot your router.

Recommendation #2 -- Sign on as Admin onto your router and check what machines have connected to it, someone may have hijacked it

Recommendation #3 -- Reset your router by pressing the recessed button on the back, wihile it is powered up. Note: You will lose your personalized settings.

Recommendation #4 -- Make sure you are using the 2.4GHz band. This only applies if you have 2 bands.

Since you get a good wired signal, the problem is not with the Shaw cable connection to your modem/router/access point.

Another question to ask yourself is -- how many WiFi-enabled devices to you have at home? This include phones, tablets, PS3/Xbox, wireless printers, etc. Absolutely think of anything and everything.

WiFi really only works best when there aren't too many devices lying around. The more WiFi-enabled devices you have, the more congestion and collision you'll get, and then the wireless connection degrades significantly. IIRC, this performance degradation grows exponentially.

Have you tried using a different router and the one provided by Shaw put into bridge mode?

I've had bad experiences with the built-in routers/modem from the providers. I've used Shaw, Comcast (in US) and Rogers (out east) and the WiFi has been terrible when using their own box. I've used my own router and it's solved all of my WiFi issues.

I have the same shaw modem,, I do exactly what ForbiddenX has suggested. With a $100 netgear router running dd-wrt I have pretty solid WiFi throughout my house and Garage.



Also .. not sure if this is broscience, but my router shows that my Macbook goes from ~50% WiFi signal strength to ~85% signal strength simply by enabling bluetooth

If the OP goes and pick up a external router, be sure to go into the Shaw/SMC router's admin page and turn off the Shaw-SMC router's WiFi network. If you leave it up and running, there is a good chance that it'll cause interference issues with your own external router, and that would again lead to performance problems.

Yeah, my wifi is pretty slow too, and my router is in the room right next to mine. If I go into the router settings page, and check the signals, all devices are at 50%ish.

Dhillon: Bluetooth uses the same frequency as Wifi and will actually cause problems haha, avoid using both at the same time if you can.

Paranoia: When you look at available wifi networks, how many others do you see? it could be interference from other networks in the area.

see if you can find a program for macs for scanning wifi in the area.
find out what channels the other networks are using and see what one you are using.
by default it will hop between ch 1, 6 and 11. try finding one of those channels with the least people on it and change your modem settings to use that as a static channel. this wont be a permanent fix, you'll likely have to adjust it every so often as the other networks move around.

avoid the other channels. it's easier for your modem to pass traffic with same channel noise (all the devices take turns), than cross-channel noise (all the devices try to shout over each other).

if you need help changing the settings, pm me and i'll give you a hand.


Source: Ex shaw TSR.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I forgot to mention that I did a reset of the router and power cycled both my laptop and my router before making this thread.

Logging in to my router's address shows that there are only two devices connected to my router: my phone and my laptop.

I may try going to best buy and grabbing a better router, as I am pretty sure it is an interference issue at this point. Did a scan of other wifi devices around me and my next door neighbor has 3 different routers (one for each floor I guess?) all on 2.4ghz (b g n). Since I primarily use my laptop upstairs and the router is downstairs would buying one of those Netgear range extenders help?

One word: Oversaturation.

See if you can get a 5Ghz router or at the very least, try other 2.4ghz channels.

I was having similar problem at my apartment, and ONLY at night. Then I checked the wifi and I was shown probably 30+ 2.4ghz routers broadcasting.

I shifted everything to 5Ghz only (802.11AC) and problem solved (there was only two other 5ghz station as far as my MBP was able to detect)

uh if you call into shaw and say you have a problem with your router, they might give you their newest router. its an Arris SBG6782 Advanced WiFi Modem. Accordingly to the install guy. Better range, more reilable, uhm two frequencys. one is great for penetration through thick walls and theres less chance for it to be affected by other radio frequencys. and the other one is the normal frequency im guessing 2.4ghz

On the topic of shaw's new routers. Anyone know if they're replacing the old non wifi routers for free? I think I'm still using a sb5102. Before that I was using
Terayon and happened to get a free upgrade to the sb because I coincidentally called in and they were advertising the upgrade. Wish they would be more active in having their customers stay more updated in hardware.

uhm. if im correct the new wifi modems are only for NEW CUSTOMERS or old customers with wifi issues. the new blocks are wifi routers and modems so its more compact, and they dont look too ugly too. just call in and say you've been getting wifi problems and stuff.. that might work

Thank you for telling me that! I'll try calling them tonight to see what I can get. I just went on the NCIX site and I'd rather not pay the $100 for a good dual-band router if I can get one for free or close to it with Shaw support.

I can tell you for a fact that it is the Mac computer, I had the same issue, but I fixed it.

It happens after you upgrade to Yosemite. This update enables your mac to use 2 wifi bands which causes problems.

You have to go into the connection settings and delete all connections except the one that you would like to use for WiFi. What happened with mine is that it kept trying to switch between the 5G connection and the Regular connection, so just choose one of those, and delete the rest (bluetooth, wired ethernet, etc). Restart the computer and it should be working.

if you have the old tv modems you might be able to get those too, they upgraded those. i personally dont really watch tv anymore, but theres a new interface on it and looks real cool.

LOL the new arris modem is anything but Compact. it's the size of a good sized hardcover book.

if you have one of the old surfboard modems, you MIGHT be able to get the upgrade for free. normally it's a 10$ rental or free if you upgrade your package (not really recommended right now after they shot themselves in the face changing their inet pkgs) or for new customers.

for the 5GHz networks, you don't really have to worry too much about interference, there aren't many people out there with 5ghz right now and the channels are spaced out enough you don't get cross frequency interference like you do on 2.4

use that if you can.

call shaw and ask if you can get the arris modem, worst they'll say is no lol.

Can you elaborate on how to do this? I am on Yosemite, and now that you mention it I've only been having this problem since I updated last week...

System Preferences > click Network > Click Wifi > Click Advanced > highlight each network, and click minus (-) to remove.

^^
That.