I tried several searches online and couldn't find exactly what I'm looking for.

WiFi speeds are >250mbs with cell phone and laptop, but less than 50mbs with desktop. Desktop (Dell) shows strong signal on 2.4GHz and pretty weak connection on 5GHz.

I've already optimized both channels based on neighbors' WiFi, so I'm sure it's a desktop issue.

I've also ensured the Network card driver is up to date.

Before just replacing the WiFi card, is there anything else I can check to see if this is a different issue?

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Posted by Fat Batman

Gotham City, NJ

Member since Oct 2019

1599 posts

Posted on 6/25/20 at 8:24 am to seawolf06

Dell...check if SmartByte is installed on your computer. if so, uninstall it and test again.

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Posted by seawolf06

Member since Oct 2007

8159 posts

Posted on 7/15/20 at 12:33 pm to Fat Batman

Uninstalled SmartByte, but did not improve the wifi speeds.

Any other ideas before I replace the network card?

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Posted by TU Rob

Birmingham

Member since Nov 2008

13313 posts

Posted on 7/15/20 at 12:47 pm to seawolf06

How far from the router? Any walls in between? Wife's laptop was having trouble staying connected before I moved routers and installed an access point. Our old Mac Mini never had issues, but for some reason her Macbook was. She just has to switch to the right network. Access Point when she's on one side of the house, and Router if she's on the other.

No option to hardwire it? I also put an ethernet cable through the wall near her desk so she can plug in when she's there.

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Posted by Fat Batman

Gotham City, NJ

Member since Oct 2019

1599 posts

Posted on 7/15/20 at 1:16 pm to seawolf06

quote:
Uninstalled SmartByte, but did not improve the wifi speeds.

I would make sure you completely uninstalled it and that it didn't reinstall immediately after. Google should have a decent amount of info on troubleshooting SmartByte.

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Posted by jeekers78

Member since Sep 2005

433 posts

Posted on 7/15/20 at 2:45 pm to seawolf06

Assuming your router is N or AC based on the tests, are you sure the wifi card in the desktop is N or AC? IDK how old the laptop is, but any chance it is just 802.11g? That would cap you at 50Mbps.

Also, is the desktop wifi built into the mobo? A PCI card? Or a usb dongle?

edit: changed laptop to desktop and added a second question.

This post was edited on 7/15/20 at 2:46 pm

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Posted by seawolf06

Member since Oct 2007

8159 posts

Posted on 7/21/20 at 11:22 am to TU Rob

quote:
How far from the router?

No further than my phone or laptop when running tests on those. Shows great signal on 2.4GHz and decent signal on 5Ghz.

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Posted by seawolf06

Member since Oct 2007

8159 posts

Posted on 7/21/20 at 11:24 am to jeekers78

quote:
Assuming your router is N or AC based on the tests, are you sure the wifi card in the desktop is N or AC?

Thanks, but desktop is using AC band as well as the router.

quote:
Also, is the desktop wifi built into the mobo? A PCI card? Or a usb dongle?

I'd have to open it and check. It's not using a USB dongle, but if it's built into the mobo I'm screwed.

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Posted by guedeaux

Member since Jan 2008

13826 posts

Posted on 7/21/20 at 11:44 am to seawolf06

quote:
I'd have to open it and check. It's not using a USB dongle, but if it's built into the mobo I'm screwed.

Probably don't need to open it, just look at where the ethernet port is located. Up top is the MoBo, expansion slots would be at the bottom (generally).

I pulled this from the internet: 1-9 are MoBo io ports, the horizontal slots below 9 are your expansion ports.