Why do phone & tablet connect to wifi, 3 x computers don't?

Neil_Jones

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Yeah but on all 3 pcs? Probably a Windows update (again) borking the Network .....

How do I not know the OP has the same AV on all three computers? I don't. So its plausible.

psychic_teabag

I'd suggest (temporarily) plugging the laptop into the router with an ethernet cable. That will quickly distinguish a wifi connectivity problem from a firewall thing.

Are you able to tell from the router's gui whether it believes the pcs are connected ?

Does ping work ? (Not sure if that's helpful, if a firewall can also block pings.)

longwalks1

hi all

Right, another update. Recieved a replacement filter and router today from Plusnet, have used the new filter buy not the router yet. There is still some noise on the phone, but unsure if its the wireless DECT phone, or the line itself?

Also plugged laptop into modem directly with ethernet and currently not dropped out, although a page did refuse to load, but its a lot more stable. Done several speed tests online with broadbandspeedchecker website (with laptop plugged into modem), and of the 7 or 8 tests, im still only getting between 7-8 Mbps, with ping of 300ms-700ms each time on my laptop? When I do a speedtest on my iphone on home wifi, ping is between 22ms and 33ms, not sure if thats relevant?

Ive definately had speeds previously (within the last 6 or 7 months of up to 16 or 17 Mbps at home??

I_have_spoken

>Also plugged laptop into modem directly<

Only the Plusnet supplied unit OR the TP Link should be doing wifi/DNS services, if both are offering DNS then things will go wonky. Look at setting the TP Link to be an Access Point only.

Also ensure that the TP Link is activated for for 2.4GHz and 5Ghz wi-fi channels, if 5Ghz is supported.

Ideally connect everything in the home on 5GHz wifi channels.

Neil_Jones

If you're still getting noise on the phone with a new filter, something else is interfering.

Unscrew the bottom panel of the BT master socket and gently pull it towards you, you'll find an RJ10/rectanglular phone connector under it. This disconnects any extensions you have. You can plug a normal phone into this. Do NOT touch the top half of the BT socket.

If the static on the line now goes away, the problem is being caused by your phone extension if you have one. If it remains, it's often a line fault and you need to raise this with your ISP. The speed issue will rectify itself over time once the fault/issue has cleared but may take up to 10 days.

This doesn't explain your original post though as all the devices go through the same router and they either all connect or they all don't connect, there's no in-between...

longwalks1

Neil_Jones wrote: »

If you're still getting noise on the phone with a new filter, something else is interfering.

Wasnt sure if the noise is from something else, or because of the cordless DECT phones?

Unscrew the bottom panel of the BT master socket and gently pull it towards you, you'll find an RJ10/rectanglular phone connector under it. This disconnects any extensions you have. You can plug a normal phone into this. Do NOT touch the top half of the BT socket.
Sorry forgot to say I done this the other day when i spoke to broadband supplier, am still plugged into the internal phone connector on the BT master socket

If the static on the line now goes away, the problem is being caused by your phone extension if you have one. If it remains, it's often a line fault and you need to raise this with your ISP. The speed issue will rectify itself over time once the fault/issue has cleared but may take up to 10 days.
I think this is my next step then, as JL/Plusnet said if they send an engineer out to investigate noise on the phone line itself and its not that, then I will be charged for it. I will try a normal, corded telephone first if i can borrow one from somewhere, to make sure its not the twin set cordless phones we have indoors

This doesn't explain your original post though as all the devices go through the same router and they either all connect or they all don't connect, there's no in-between...

Dont understand it either. Internet definately better since plugging in new filter and directly into the modem.

I knew the internet kept dropping out throughout the night a coupl of nights this week, we have cloud based CCTV (Y-cam) and we get push notifications if it goes offline, and i had several throughout the night when no one was using the internet at home?

longwalks1

psychic_teabag wrote: »

I'd suggest (temporarily) plugging the laptop into the router with an ethernet cable. That will quickly distinguish a wifi connectivity problem from a firewall thing.
Does seem a LOT better plugged directly into the modem via ethernet, it hung up once but for the last couple of hours, not a single page crash or delay in anything loading.

Dont understand why the modem is behaving itself more though and not loosing internet LED anymore?
Are you able to tell from the router's gui whether it believes the pcs are connected ?

Does ping work ? (Not sure if that's helpful, if a firewall can also block pings.)

Ping on a few speed tests since being plugged into modem come back between 600ms and 800ms approx, yet ping tests on my phone and iPad coem back between 30ms and 50ms? is that significant at all?

longwalks1

Another update, in red:

Neil_Jones wrote: »

If you're still getting noise on the phone with a new filter, something else is interfering.
Was noise with the new filter and cordless phone (it had a 2m extension cable on it too, not sure if that matters?) have since bought a cheap corded phone, plugged striaght into new filter and no noise on the line (have only made 3 x 5 minute calls though)

If the static on the line now goes away, the problem is being caused by your phone extension if you have one.
Do you mean caused by phone extension as in the extension phone cable?

This doesn't explain your original post though as all the devices go through the same router and they either all connect or they all don't connect, there's no in-between...

Heedtheadvice

You seem to be making progress slowly!
At this stage it does seem as if you may have a noise/interference issue affecting your broadband. Maybe best speaking with plusnet to get technical help to extract the router stats from their modem router that will give a figure for the signal quality. Best if that is done with your new phone and router connected via the filter to your master socket only as described above.

After that diagnosis is done.....it still does not explain the differences between WiFi and ethernet ping results. The ethernet should nearly always be better response times. Is it possible that although you connected by cable the laptop was still using WiFi??? So further work required but suggest getting the broadband ISP side sorted first.

longwalks1

Thanks Heed
Ive got a replacement modem now from then (their standard issue model I'm assuming - looks exactly the same am my current one, new one is a Sagemcom 2704N) so ill try that first, theyve assured me its simply plug and play (as Im a technophobe)

I have to admit, i didnt turn off wifi on my laptop when i plugged straight into the modem as totally forgot, and i guess assumed the ethernet would 'override' the weaker wireless signal

EDIT: just searched how to turn wifi off on the Sagemcom 2704N modem and read a couple of reviews on it, basically saying its utter rubbish. Should I buy a new, more popular modem? Im not fussed on the cost just want reliable, as fast as possible internet (no fibre in the village so realise I wont get much over 14Mbps)