WiFi runs super slow

Could be any number of things. Is it just one device, a modem + wifi router combo? If the wifi is slow when in the same room as that device, then it could just be crappy. You can buy a quality router yourself, and disable the wifi and routing on that modem. If wifi speeds are alright when you are in the same room, but just much slower in other rooms, then the house might be an issue. Is there a bathroom right next to the room with the router? Tile and mirrors tend to block wifi almost completely. Or are the interior walls masonry? That could do it, too. If the house is a problem it's not a show-stopper, you will just have to get a mesh wifi system and place your nodes strategically go optimize coverage.

But my bet is the modem/router/wifi combo unit just sucks. If it's rented, they should swap with a different one. Personally I like to buy my own and make sure they stop charging you the rental fees. Works out a lot cheaper in the long run.

get a separate router and modem. give the combo back to the company. those combos are absolute garbage. Don't get the cheapest but you also don't have to get anything expensive. i've been where you are and finally followed this advice from other posters.

I would check signal strength (there are apps that give more precise measures than just the little icon) and speed all around the house. There is not always a direct correlation between signal strength and speed, but there usually is. So it really depends on how deep you want to get into all this. If it was me, I would sketch out the floor plan and mark where the router is and label signal strength and speed in different rooms. Maybe you can check a few spots in each room to find dead spots. Then you can see if your bathrooms have any effect, or if maybe there is another feature in the house that affects the signal. Your house isn't that old, but it still could have been built with materials that interfere with wifi (foiled insulation, lots of lead based paint, etc).

Wifi is finicky... it's easy to block and easy to interfere with. Making a map will give you a ton of information that you can use to improve your signal. Mesh wifi systems (like Google/Nest wifi) are popular these days, and many people seem happy with them. You should be able to place the main unit and maybe another "puck" or two and drastically improve your coverage.


Just a few things to keep in mind:

There are 3 main components - modem, router, and wifi access point. Evidently you have a combo unit that serves all three functions, and I have never heard of anyone happy with one of those units. The only benefit is space savings, but they usually don't do anything well. Most routers also do wifi, and this is the case with the google wifi mesh, it is a router and wifi access points. In other words, you still need a modem. You can keep your existing Arris unit and just use it as a modem, or you can contact your ISP and see if they offer another type of modem. Personally, as I mentioned earlier, I like to buy my own, and most ISPs allow you to do that. It will be cheaper as long as you make sure they stop charging the rental fee.

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Wifi is finicky... it's easy to block and easy to interfere with. Making a map will give you a ton of information that you can use to improve your signal. Mesh wifi systems (like Google/Nest wifi) are popular these days, and many people seem happy with them. You should be able to place the main unit and maybe another "puck" or two and drastically improve your coverage.

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