Question:

What could be the reason for a laptop (Dell Precision 5550) to have poor and unstable wifi performance with a specific router (Virgin Media Broadband) while other devices work fine? The laptop works well with other wifi networks, but not with the one in my flat. I have tried using a powerline adapter, but it only helps when the laptop is plugged in. Is there a way to fix this problem without changing the wifi provider?

Answer:

How to Fix Poor Wifi Performance on a Laptop

If you have a laptop that works well with other wifi networks, but not with the one in your home, you might be wondering what is causing this problem and how to fix it. In this article, we will explore some possible reasons and solutions for poor and unstable wifi performance on a laptop.

One of the first things to check is the wifi protocol and band that your laptop and router support. Wifi protocols are standards that define how devices communicate over wireless networks. The most common wifi protocols are Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). Wifi bands are frequency ranges that wifi signals use to transmit data. The most common wifi bands are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

To check the wifi protocol and band that your laptop supports, you can use the following steps:

• Open Command Prompt using the WinX Menu, type the following command and hit Enter: `netsh wlan show drivers`
• Look for Radio types supported. This will show you the wifi protocols and bands that your laptop can use. For example, if you see 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, it means that your laptop supports Wi-Fi 4 and only the 2.4 GHz band.
• Alternatively, you can also check the wifi protocol and band in the Settings app. To do this, follow these steps:
• Select the Wi-Fi network icon on the right side of the taskbar, then select Manage Wi-Fi connections (>) on the Wi-Fi quick setting.
• For the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to, select Properties next to the Wi-Fi network name.
• On the Wi-Fi network screen, look at the value next to Protocol. This will show you the wifi protocol that your laptop is using.

To check the wifi protocol and band that your router supports, you can refer to the router’s manual or website. Alternatively, you can also use a wifi analyzer app on your phone or tablet to scan the wifi networks around you and see their protocols and bands.

The reason why you need to check the wifi protocol and band is that they affect the speed and stability of your wifi connection. Generally, newer wifi protocols offer faster and more reliable wifi performance than older ones. For example, Wi-Fi 6 can deliver up to 9.6 Gbps of speed, while Wi-Fi 4 can only deliver up to 600 Mbps. Similarly, the 5 GHz band offers faster and less congested wifi performance than the 2.4 GHz band, which is more prone to interference from other devices and networks.

Therefore, if your laptop and router support different wifi protocols or bands, you might experience poor and unstable wifi performance. For example, if your laptop supports Wi-Fi 6 and the 5 GHz band, but your router only supports Wi-Fi 4 and the 2.4 GHz band, your laptop will not be able to use its full wifi potential and might suffer from slow and intermittent wifi connection.

To fix this problem, you can try the following solutions:

• Upgrade your router to a newer model that supports the same or higher wifi protocol and band as your laptop. This will ensure that your laptop and router can communicate at the best possible speed and reliability. For example, if your laptop supports Wi-Fi 6 and the 5 GHz band, you can upgrade your router to a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router that also supports the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band. You can check out some of the best Wi-Fi routers of 2024 here.
• Change the wifi settings on your laptop or router to use the same or compatible wifi protocol and band. This will ensure that your laptop and router can communicate without any mismatch or conflict. For example, if your laptop supports Wi-Fi 6 and the 5 GHz band, but your router only supports Wi-Fi 5 and the 2.4 GHz band, you can change the wifi settings on your laptop to use Wi-Fi 5 and the 2.4 GHz band. To do this, follow these steps:
• Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
• Select the wifi network you want to change and click Properties.
• Under Network profile, click Advanced options.
• Under Preferred band, select 2.4 GHz.
• Under Preferred mode, select 802.11ac.

Check the Wifi Signal Strength and Interference

Another thing to check is the wifi signal strength and interference that your laptop and router receive. Wifi signal strength is the measure of how well your laptop and router can receive and transmit wifi signals. Wifi interference is the presence of other devices or networks that use the same or similar wifi frequency and cause noise or distortion in your wifi signals.

To check the wifi signal strength and interference that your laptop and router receive, you can use the following steps:

• Look at the wifi signal bars on the taskbar. The more bars you see, the stronger the wifi signal. The fewer bars you see, the weaker the wifi signal.
• Use a wifi analyzer app on your phone or tablet to scan the wifi networks around you and see their signal strength and interference. The app will show you the wifi channels that each network uses and how crowded or overlapping they are. The wifi channels are sub-divisions of the wifi bands that wifi signals use to avoid interference. For example, the 2.4 GHz band has 14 channels, while the 5 GHz band has 23 channels.

The reason why you need to check the wifi signal strength and interference is that they affect the speed and stability of your wifi connection. Generally, stronger wifi signals offer faster and more reliable wifi performance than weaker ones. For example, if your laptop and router are close to each other and have a clear line of sight, they will have a strong wifi signal and a fast and stable wifi connection. Conversely, weaker wifi signals offer slower and less reliable wifi performance than stronger ones. For example, if your laptop and router are far from each other or have obstacles or walls between them, they will have a weak wifi signal and a slow and unstable wifi connection.

Similarly, less wifi interference offers faster and more reliable wifi performance than more wifi interference. For example, if your laptop and router use a wifi channel that is not used by any other network or device, they will have less wifi interference and a fast and stable wifi connection. Conversely, more wifi interference offers slower and less reliable wifi performance than less wifi interference. For example, if your laptop and router use a wifi channel that is used by many other networks or devices, they will have more wifi interference and a slow and unstable wifi connection.

To fix this problem, you can try the following solutions:

• Move your laptop and router closer to each other and away from any obstacles or walls that might block or weaken the wifi signal. This will ensure that your laptop and router have a strong wifi signal and a fast and stable wifi connection.
• Change the wifi channel on your router to a less crowded or overlapping one. This will ensure that your laptop and router have less wifi interference and a fast and stable wifi connection. To do this, follow these steps:
• Log in to your router’s web interface using a web browser. You can find the router’s IP address, username, and password on the router’s label or manual.
• Go to the wifi settings and look for the wifi channel option. You can usually find it under the wireless, advanced, or network settings.
• Select a wifi channel that is not used by any other network or device. You can use the wifi analyzer app to see which wifi channels are available and how crowded or overlapping they are.
• Save the changes and restart your router.

Check the Wifi Drivers and Firmware

The last thing to check is the wifi drivers and firmware that your laptop and router use. Wifi drivers are software that allow your laptop’s wifi adapter to communicate with your router and other wifi devices. Wifi firmware are software that control your router’s wifi functions and features.

To check the wifi drivers and firmware that your laptop and router use, you can use the following steps:

• To check the wifi drivers on your laptop, open the Device Manager and expand the Network adapters category. Right-click on your wifi adapter and select Properties. Go to the Driver tab and look at the Driver Version and Driver Date. This will show you the wifi driver that your laptop is using and when it was last updated.
• To check the wifi firmware on your router, log in to your router’s web interface using a web browser. You can find the router’s IP address, username, and password on the router’s label or manual. Go to the firmware or system settings and look for the firmware version and firmware update option. This will show you the wifi firmware that your router is using and whether there is a newer version available.

The reason why you need to check the wifi drivers and firmware is that they affect the speed and stability of your wifi connection. Generally, newer wifi drivers and firmware offer faster and more reliable wifi performance than older ones. For example, newer wifi drivers and firmware might fix bugs, improve compatibility, enhance security, or add new features that improve your wifi experience. Conversely, older wifi drivers and firmware might have bugs, compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities, or missing features that degrade your wifi experience.

To

fix this problem, you can try the following solutions: