Slow connection to PC only

[DEEPIZZLE]

I got my Sky hub set up on 13/10/2022, and for the most part its fine. My package is 150mb, and when I perform the Sky speed test or Ookla speed test it seems that I'm getting the speeds that were advertised. 

However on my PC I'm hitting incredibly slow speeds using a USB wifi adapter (8-9mb) and about 45mb using a powerline adapter. I understand that the speeds may be lower than advertised if not using ethernet, however it seems like a drastic drop, especially using the USB wifi adapter.

I just don't understand how I can do a wireless speed test sitting at my PC desk on a device and it shows the speed is fine, however when I repeat the test on my PC its slow - clearly the wifi reaches my PC desk at its intended speed if my phone shows 150mb right next to my PC.

Does anyone have any advice as to how I may get my PC running at a higher download speed?

* a few notes:
- I've used multiple USB wifi adapters
- My upload speed on my PC is the same as shown when I do a speedtest on my phone so that seems fine
- I do get the full speed if I plug my PC in directly with ethernet, however I can't have a huge wire trailing through the house.

[TimmyBGood]

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@DEEPIZZLE wrote:

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Is the USB adapter plugged into a USB3 port (typically with a blue plasic insert visible), USB2 or perhaps even USB1.1?

Also, perhaps ponder the likely Wifi characteristics of ANYTHING plugged into a USB port with regards to aerial performance and local sources of interference and signal blocking.

[DEEPIZZLE]

Hi,

Thanks for replying so quickly. 

I've tried it in both USB2 & 3.

3 seems worse somehow but both are very slow

[Mr+Slant]

What is the USB adaptor - make & model?

[DEEPIZZLE]

The one I have atm is LB-Link BL-WN151, I also tried the TP link TL-WN823

The LB-Link one gives ludicrosly slow speeds and the TP link gave me 8/9 mb but I've since returned that one to Amazon

[TimmyBGood]

@DEEPIZZLE 

As I mentioned, perhaps give a thought to how big an aerial can be contained within such a device, and how close it is (in a PC) to a metal box and a whole bunch of live components all generating EMF.

Might be worth trying a USB extender cable.

[Mr+Slant]

Those are both ancient adaptors (802.11n) and I wouldn't expect anything more than about 20Mbps max out of either of them unless you're in the same room as the router.

USB adaptors are generally junk unless they're physically very large in which case they're not very useful in terms of useability.

Best thing I can suggest is to get a suitable USB extension cable to position the adaptor well away from the PC case/monitor.

[DEEPIZZLE]

Thanks both.

Do you think I'd have better luck with an actualt Wifi card in my PC? 

Something like:

This one? 

[Mr+Slant]

Depends on how the PC is located really.

If the case/monitor/desk/you/whatever is going to be blocking the signal (ie is between the antenna and the router) then you won't get decent results.

You're probably better off sticking with the powerline adaptor.

Alternatively run a flat white ethernet cable around the house - I did that in a rental with a 30m cable. You can normally hide it quite well & it'll go under doors etc. Edit - Amazon do  a few but don't believe any of the "Cat 6" nonsense as none of them are; they'll all do 1Gbps over 30-50 metres easy enough though.

[TimmyBGood]

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@DEEPIZZLE wrote:

Do you think I'd have better luck with an actualt Wifi card in my PC? 

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I'd hope so, yes.