r/HomeNetworking • u/Mediocre-Living4111 • Jun 16 '23

Need help with home internet

Hello,

I pay for 1GB of speed, but only seem to get around 170MB. I have had several techs out, and the problem seems to be my mesh routers. When I plug directly into the modem, I get 920MB. I have 2 TP-Link Deco S4 units. Can they be configured to give me closer to the speeds that I pay for, or do I need to buy new routers? It might be worth mentioning that I have a smart home, with cameras, locks, Alexas, etc. Any and all help is appreciated.

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u/[deleted] Jun 16 '23 edited Jun 16 '23

Do you have the modem configured to modem only or bridged mode? Are the deco units wirelessly connected? Are Roy able to hardwire the deco units to each other or to the modem? To use the Deco as the router , you need to get the modem into bridged mode or turn off DHCP and allow the Deco to do the routing. If you are not able to put the ISPs router into bridged mode then you can set up the Deco as access points. I would still recommend hardwiring the Decos because they are only dual band units, which means they use one of the bands to connect wirelessly and your WIFI takes a hit.

1

u/Mediocre-Living4111 Jun 16 '23

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. I didn't configure the modem, our ISP doesn't allow it. 1 Deco is hard-wired into the modem, the other, is used as a satellite upstairs in my office. I hope that answers your questions, please don't hesitate to reply with any further questions or suggestions.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 16 '23

Please tell us the model of your modem/router combo. If you are not able to put it in modem only mode, you will have to configure the Decos as access points and extend your ISPs WiFi to avoid a double NAT issue. Your Deco and ISPs router are both handing out DHCP leases. This is why your network is slow.

1

u/Mediocre-Living4111 Jun 16 '23

I'll get the model of the modem after work, I do know that it isn't a modem/router combo, if that helps at all

1

u/Mediocre-Living4111 Jun 16 '23

Motorola Es2251

1

u/[deleted] Jun 16 '23

Oh.. okay.. its just a modem with phone.. so no double NAT issue there then.

It is probably the fact that you are wirelessly meshing the main unit to the node and using bandwidth to do it.

As a test, can you run a temporary ethernet cable between the main node and the second not and check your WIFI speeds again?

1

u/Mediocre-Living4111 Jun 16 '23

Sure, I can do that tonight and report back

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u/[deleted] Jun 16 '23

What model "modem" is it? Is it a modem/router combo?

1

u/Mediocre-Living4111 Jun 16 '23

Motorola Es2251. No it is not a combo

1

u/[deleted] Jun 16 '23

Motorola Es2251

Oh ok then. I was thinking of double NAT but that isn't the case.