09-04-2021 05:28 AM
My question does not relate to a Google WIFI I currently have, it is asking if getting Google WIFI will help me resolve my issue - I am not techie enough to work this out I just have a theory - I need advice from someone that understands how Routers/WIFI work?
09-04-2021 07:28 AM
Hello @Andywrl
Can I start by asking how well ventilated your existing TalkTalk router is? Also, Is your existing router placed relatively close to the center of your home, up high above as much furniture and appliances as possible? Do you have any other wireless equipment in use (cordless phones, baby monitors, etc., but especially watch out for wireless surround sound systems, or just a wireless subwoofer or maybe a wireless gaming headset)?
This doesn't "feel" like a "too many devices" problem to me, especially since it's really unlikely they are all really active at the same time. It is possible this is just "crappy router design", though, which would explain why the replacement isn't any better. Still, the behavior is odd.
To attempt to answer your questions as best I can:
Basically, diagnosing issues like this can be extremely difficult (especially remotely). If any of the above questions help shed light on what might be going wrong, I would encourage you to address those potential issues (e.g., placement, ventilation, interference, etc.) before spending any money. But, if none of those are likely causes, then you could try setting up another WiFi router to see if it helps. That's a fair amount of work, but having a system that doesn't work is just daily frustration. I would keep the original packaging and the receipt, though, in case you need to return it.
09-04-2021 08:41 AM
Hi Michael,
Than you very much for your speedy reply and very detailed response, you clearly know your stuff and have put forward some very good suggestions which I can play around with as possible solutions.
I am tempted to just go with the suggestion that the router is just a crappy design as a lot of the other things you mentioned i have over the past few months looked at.
The router is well ventilated on top of a unit in the hallway which is pretty central to the house, There is nothing else obstructing the router and I have checked the quality of the Wifi signal on the devices that I can such as the 3 smart TV's, all show a medium to strong signal so I don't think that is the problem for these items at least but may be for the furthest switches.
I have solid brick walls throughout the home so signal strength was a thought I did have but even the closest items fail in rotation so I don't think signal is a problem for them.
As you know a lot about the subject maybe if I tell you what I have connected that may help?
I have 3 TV's, 19 smart switches, 8 Google Mini smart speakers and a wireless alarm system with it's own router hard wired to the router.
Along with this I would have at any point a laptop and a mobile phone connected and that is it.
I do not have any wireless sound system, but i do have a cordless phone and the base unit is close to the router as that is where the main telephone socket is - could that be causing the issue?
Something I have noticed is that when one Sonoff smart switch loses connection all of them (13) lose the connection together in the ewelink app, this is different to other items that lose connection as they tend to drop one at a time such as Tv in lounge comes back on and then the back room TV loses connection. My other smart switches however of a different make never lose connection all together only when I lose wifi for all items at the same time.
Thank you for your help, it's much appreciated and good to have some suggestions to try.
Andy
09-05-2021 08:04 AM
Hello @Andywrl
Brick walls are a bit of a red flag, actually – that will make WiFi challenging in general, and more challenging for 5GHz in particular (which is the band Google / Nest WiFi units use to talk to each other).
Just double-checking that the "unit" the WiFi router is currently on top of isn't made from metal?
Any idea what wireless technology the alarm system uses? It probably isn't causing interference, but it's a possibility I would investigate.
I would definitely try to move the cordless phone base unit away from the router, even if it isn't in exactly the same band. My DECT cordless phone system uses 4.9GHz, and I have it 6 feet from the nearest Google WiFi unit, and I don't have issues. I'd be worried about having it much closer than that.
The Sonoff behavior is strange, I agree. I don't have experience with that equipment, so I can't speculate on why that might be.
09-05-2021 08:40 AM
Thank you Michael, the unit is made of wood not metal but I will investigate the alarm and move the cordless phone further away and see if that may be the cause, your help and suggestions have been much appreciated.
Andy
09-08-2021 11:18 AM
Hi, Andywrl.
I just wanted to check in real fast to see if we were able to resolve this or if there's anything else you needed from us. If there's anything else I can provide, please let me know.
Thanks.
09-09-2021 05:30 AM
It's a bit early to say if my issue with my current router is fixed using the suggestions I received but I think I will give a Nest WIFI a go anyway in the near future regardless so thank you, issue may be resolved, only time will tell but I have learnt more about Nest WIFI so that was a bonus.
09-09-2021 08:13 AM
Hey folks,
It looks like we have come to a solution so I'm going to be locking this thread. If you have any other concerns or questions, please feel free to create a new thread.
Have a great day.
Garrett DS