Internet Drops - ISP or Dongle issue

markfj

Hi

Im forever having issues with my win 10 pc dropping, first I thought it was because it was just windows 10 but I have a laptop also on win10 and it never drops regardless how far away I am.

My PC is in a room next to the router, but I cant run a cable from it. I bought the PC with a wireless card inside new, and could barely browse, bought a wirelss dongle sometime ago and internet is good sometimes and rubbish sometimes/drops often

Im on Virgin up to 50mps broadband, gives me the option of 5G or 2G connections, my PC can only find 2g connection but my laptop can find both I am assuming this is part of the issue?

Is it likely I need a newer dongle that will accept a 5g connection?

Cheers!

debitcardmayhem

or perhaps homeplugs , but a new 5ghz dongle may be cheaper, I seem to recall that virgins routers are pants though

markfj

I was considering changing ISP as internet issues seem ongoing, but mostly due on my PC. all phones/tablets/smart tv connect to it ok as does the other laptop. but most of them are 2g anyway..

It was either changing isp until i thought it might just need a 5g dongle.

debitcardmayhem

markfj wrote: »

I was considering changing ISP as internet issues seem ongoing, but mostly due on my PC. all phones/tablets/smart tv connect to it ok as does the other laptop. but most of them are 2g anyway..

It was either changing isp until i thought it might just need a 5g dongle.

it may be worth considering 802.11ac dongle too for future proofing , well for the next 3 months at least

markfj

Im out of touch abit now it seems, last time I bought a dongle I bought a "n" one.. I am assuming the 801.11ac is the newest currently? Must go to google and research now

bluesnake

markfj wrote: »

Hi

Im forever having issues with my win 10 pc dropping, first I thought it was because it was just windows 10 but I have a laptop also on win10 and it never drops regardless how far away I am.

So this proves it is not virgin, and not the router.

the things that are left are PC, Dongle and drivers. Drivers are the cheapest to fix.

Find who the manufacturers are of the dongle and visit their web site. create a recovery point before installing or changing anything. Something like http://www.download3k.com/Install-Driver-Booster.html may help, but manufacturers site visits are often better and the newest version are often the best.

There could be some newer windows signed hardware drivers for the PC that are more up-to-date that MS are ignoring to push down.

5G attenuates very quickly, especially through walls. would also think an 802.11ac, possibly with built in 5G would be more beneficial asp previous poster suggests.

USB is also fairly dependent on bios, so visit the manufacturers site too.

Strider590

Have you thought about doing a wifi scan to see if any of your neighbours might me interfering?

Also make sure your not using channel 11, of all the wifi channels, this one seems to get messed with by just about any wireless device in the vicinity, including bluetooth and wireless AV receivers.

Chrishazle

Another thought, if your PC has a built in 10/100/1000 ethernet card would be to use powerline connectors, providing the router and PC are on the same ring main (preferably) or phase (if you have 3 phase supply rather than single phase). I had problems like you with win7, BT smart hub - tried a Belkin dongle, a BT dual band dongle then an Aukey dual band USB adapter. About a week ago I installed powerline adapters, have a 1Gb connection between PC and router, and the connection has not dropped out once!

markfj

Thanks very much guys, helpful as always on here

I did a channel scan, is on channel 6..

Have just used the software abover to update all PC drivers (had used a different one, this one seems much better though) so will see if that helps longer term

Failing that, looks like I will purcahsed a new 802.ac dongle, is there any brands recommended, they seem to vary in price somewhat

Thanks again!

slinga

markfj wrote: »

Hi


My PC is in a room next to the router, but I cant run a cable from it.
!

What's the reason for not being able to run a cable?

worried_jim

I'm on Virgin and for years it was rock solid stable (both wired and wireless) in six years it only went down once that I noticed.

Now it goes down all the time, at least once a week. Right pain.