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Knowledge Base document #514

Slow Wi-Fi connection

The speed of the Wi-Fi connection to the FRITZ!Powerline device or the speed of the Wi-Fi connection between the FRITZ!Powerline device and the internet router or Mesh Master (FRITZ!Box or FRITZ!Repeater) is slow. Due to the low Wi-Fi speed, web pages load slowly, files take a long time to download, or image interference or interruptions occur during video streaming, for example.

Simply proceed as described below. After each measure, check whether the problem is solved.

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Powerline device.

1 Updating FRITZ!OS and Wi-Fi software

Updates contain improvements, bug fixes, and new functions. Therefore, install the latest FRITZ!OS or software version on all of the devices:

Installing the latest software for the router

  1. Install the latest software for the internet router according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you are using a FRITZ!Box as a router, proceed as described in the guide Updating FRITZ!OS.

Installing the latest software for the wireless device

  1. Install the latest software version for the wireless device (for example Android, iOS) or the latest driver for the computer's wireless network adapter (for example from the Intel download pages).

    Note:Refer to the device's manufacturer for information on how to update, for example consult the manual.

2 Optimizing the Wi-Fi settings of the router

Configuring the FRITZ!Box

The following steps are necessary only if you are using a FRITZ!Box as the wireless router and you adjusted the Wi-Fi settings of the FRITZ!Box:

Note:In the factory settings, the FRITZ!Box already uses the ideal Wi-Fi settings, evaluates the Wi-Fi environment and the quality of the connection of the wireless devices connected to it at regular intervals, automatically selects the current ideal Wi-Fi channel settings, and steers wireless devices to whichever Wi-Fi network is best.

Setting up the router

The following steps are necessary only if you are using a router from another manufacturer:

Note:Refer to the manufacturer of the router for information on setting it up; for example, consult the manual.

  1. If the wireless router can provide the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz frequency bands at the same time:
    1. Enable the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz Wi-Fi networks on the wireless router:
    2. If the wireless router can automatically steer the wireless devices connected to it into the ideal frequency band ('band steering'), enable the corresponding option.
    3. If the wireless router has a 'Zero Wait DFS', 'Always on DFS' option or similar option for uninterrupted use of the 5-GHz Wi-Fi network, enable it. This allows the wireless router's 5-GHz Wi-Fi network to be used even while the Wi-Fi environment is being checked for radar systems (for example for weather service, air traffic control, and the military).
  2. If possible, configure Wi-Fi channels without interference in both the 2.4-GHz and the 5-GHz Wi-Fi network in the wireless router. If you can configure the wireless router so that it automatically selects the best Wi-Fi channel settings, enable this option.
  3. Configure the wireless router so that its Wi-Fi transmits at maximum power.
  4. Give the wireless router a unique Wi-Fi network name (SSID). This prevents your wireless devices from trying to connect to the wrong wireless router if there are Wi-Fi networks with the same name in the vicinity.

    Note:All Wi-Fi connections are cleared when you change the Wi-Fi network name. You must then reconfigure the Wi-Fi connections.

3 Optimizing the position

Finding the ideal location for the wireless router

  1. If possible, place the wireless router in a central location.
  2. Do not place the wireless router directly in the corner of a room.
  3. Position the wireless router so that it is as unobstructed as possible, i.e. not directly behind or under an obstacle such as pieces of furniture or a heater.
  4. Place the wireless router as high in the room as possible, for example on a shelf.
  5. Place the wireless router so that there are as few obstacles as possible between it and other wireless devices. Especially metallic objects or objects containing water, for example radiators, refrigerators, or houseplants, significantly reduce the quality of the Wi-Fi signal.
  6. Place the wireless router away from other radio transmitters, for example microwaves, wireless speakers, or Bluetooth devices.

Finding the ideal location for the FRITZ!Powerline device

  1. Position the FRITZ!Powerline device where the quality of the router's Wi-Fi signal is good. You can find tips on positioning it in the guide Finding the ideal location for FRITZ!Powerline.

Now the FRITZ!Powerline device and the internet router are ideally configured. If the Wi-Fi connection speed of individual wireless devices is still low, then the problem lies with the respective devices. The manufacturer of the wireless devices may be able to give you advice on how to solve the problem.

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