QUESTION:
I live in an apartment. My wireless speed is slow or my videos pause/buffer when I try to watch something online.
ANSWER:
If you live in an apartment complex, or a neighborhood where you have a lot of neighbors around you - you’ve probably noticed all the Wireless network ID's that your neighbors use. You’ve most likely had problems with your wireless connections dropping out, or just not being as fast as you’d like. This often has to do with the Wi-Fi channels in your area.
Most devices use the 2.4 Ghz band. This includes baby monitors, microwaves, blue tooth devices and speakers, wireless printers. If you can join the 5 Ghz band, it will be faster.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz:
FIND LEAST CONGESTED CHANNEL:
The first step is finding out which channel is least congested in your area.
Note that Wi-Fi channels overlap with nearby channels. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are the most frequently used for 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and these three are the only ones that don’t overlap with each other.
For Windows users - search for and download "WifiInfoView" (you will need to use a computer for this, not your iPhone/iPad).
For Android users - (if you prefer to scan on your phone instead of your computer), download the App "Wifi Analyzer"
For Mac users - MacOS actually has this feature integrated. To access it, hold the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon on the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select “Open Wireless Diagnostics.”
Ignore the wizard that appears. Click the Window menu & select Utilities. Select the Wi-Fi Scan tab & click Scan Now. On the bottom right, you'll see "Best 2.4 GHz Channels" and "Best 5 GHz Channels." This tool will recommend which channels to try. (see diagram below)
You will want to login to your modem and change the wireless channel to the recommendation in the utility. See guides below for logging into your modem and changing channels.
Here are more in-depth "wireless tuning" guides
(If your model # is not listed below, most of our modems share the same format when you login, so select a guide closest to your model # and follow that guide):
MG7310
MG7315
MG7540/7550
FACTORY RESET:
It is good to reset the unit back to factory settings and clear out any glitches that may have developed within the unit.
Please take note of any special settings you may have applied to the unit.
(Save a backup config file before doing the reset if you wish)
(Note: If you changed your wireless network name and/or password, that will be erased and will go back to factory settings. All of the information you need is on the bottom of your modem on the white sticker.)
You will need a pin or straightened paper clip.
Disconnect the Coaxial cable that goes into the back of the modem.
Leave the modem POWERED ON.
In the back of your device, locate the RESET hole.
Push the RESET hole in for about 25 seconds. Then release.
Make sure you follow the 'wireless tuning' guides we list above, for your model, after you do a factory reset.
*Did you know?
Each computer or device that’s added to your network will reduce your total bandwidth. That’s because all these devices are sharing not only the same wireless network, but they’re also sharing the same Internet connection from your broadband service provider.
Say you pay for high speed internet - 100 Mbps. In ideal conditions, you expect to get 100 Mbps on your laptop. Now you add another device - your spouse has an iPad. Now your available bandwidth on your laptop is 50 Mbps. Then your teenager comes home from school and turns on his Playstation or Xbox. Now your available bandwidth is 25 Mbps or less, depending on how bandwidth heavy the game he's playing is.
Connecting multiple devices, including blue tooth speakers, wireless printers, home surveillance cameras, etc., results in reduced performance due to each device getting a smaller bandwidth share.
Power off or disconnect the wireless connection on any device that is not actively using your router. This will at least relieve some of your bandwidth.
Using a wired connection will allow you to get the full speed that you pay for.
Great wireless information to improve speed by placement of modem and other useful information HERE
Tech Support is here to help you!
support@motorolanetwork.com or call us at +1-833-411-1397 (Monday-Friday 9:00am-5pm Eastern Time).