Plusnet Issues

dcb2019

That's an interesting point about the neighbours. I do feel it maybe due to increased usage locally. What router do you advise looking at? 

Swipe

The only issue I have is them suddenly blocking Private DNS on my Android phone (DNS over TLS on port 853). This means I now have to use the NextDNS app to block adverts which is annoying as it's an extra thing running on my phone to achieve the same result. So Plusnet gains nothing by blocking this apart from causing me inconvenience

Roger.Wilco

dcb2019 said:

That's an interesting point about the neighbours. I do feel it maybe due to increased usage locally. ...

A couple of things about WiFi people may not appreciate:

• That the frequencies used by WiFi are "junk" frequencies and are used by all sorts of devices like garage door openers, baby monitors, microwave ovens etc...   so other devices both yours and your neighbours may also interfere with WiFi. (I can tell when my neighbours use their microwave oven as interference readings spike on my WiFi Access Points).
  
• The number of channels within this "junk" range are limited and most overlap - with most devices stepping over the top of each other.  So getting a free App like "WiFiAnalyzer" and/or "WiFiman" on a smartphone and trying to find the least congested channel will work wonders.  As PlusNet advise - changing channels would probably be of benefit anyway.  Some Routers and/or Access Points have "channel auto-selection" - from experience - best to disable and select channels manually.  For similar reasons the "night-time WiFi off" feature - if not needed for controlling children's bedtime behavior - best to leave WiFi running constantly.
  
• If available - reducing channel widths will typically result in a more stable WiFi connection for a small reduction in throughput.  An unstable connection is useless no matter how fast it is...
• If possible - if the WiFI Router and/or Access Point is dual-band; use different SSIDs (WiFi names) for the two different bands (2.4G & 5G) and for devices that support it - configure them to use only the 5G band where possible.  Appreciate, that the 2.4G signal seem stronger and will travel further through walls; whereas, the 5G signal although faster, will not travel as far through walls.
  
• Counter intuitively explaining/negotiating with neighbours to reduce their WiFi transmitting power and doing likewise on your own WiFI Router or Access Point will actually _increase_ stability and throughput....   If in flats or semi-detached dwellings - alternatively ask/negotiate with neighbours to put WiFi Routers and/or Access Points as far away from the common shared wall as possible and do likewise.
  
• Although, WiFi devices are typically backwards compatible - having older devices connected to the WiFi will reduce the connection performance of the newer devices.  e.g. If now not used disconnect the spare bedroom old SmartTV from the WiFi.

I'm constantly amazed that WiFi works as well as it does at all!

Alternatively, if you care about a connections stability and speed like for example a SmartTV & Netflix - use a physical Ethernet cable.

dcb2019

Thanks Roger, I've noticed a slight improvement since changing the channel with less interference. Thinking of it they went away not to long ago and we didn't have an issue then so it probably boils down to next door interference.