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Very poor wifi signal with a WRN3500L using latest build

 
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August 6, 2011 09:54 PM
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Hello !

Writing this message just to tell you that I encountered a weird problem using your version of dd-wrt. Don't know if the problem is dd-wrt related issue or WRN3500L specific though.

So, I was using the netgear firmware for a couple of days, wifi signal was great, we have a small appartment so even in the farest room, signal was quite strong (4/5 "windows" signal bars)

However, I wanted to try a more complete firmware so I've installed your firmware. I tested it on close range and was able to use the wifi for streaming content to my PS3 and everything. However, I didn't check the PC in the other room. I did this morning, and well, signal was 2/5 bars now, and we could barely use internet.

In dd-wrt it was showing quite poor signal quality for connected devices.At very close range (5 feet), signal quality was always under 50% (and that's using G-mode only, in N-G it was below 40%). In the farthest room, signal quality was between 3 and 6% and finally an iPod touch in the kitchen few feets away had around 10%. I tried using inSSider to determine if my channel was overused, but there's no strong signal in the appartment. Tried all channels, didn't change a thing. Tried other wifi modes and everything, but no luck.

I ended up flashing the original firmware again few minutes ago, and wifi strength is back to normal, everything works great. I'm kind of missing all the features of dd-wrt though, but well, I'd rather be able to use wifi around the appartment :S

That's it, don't know if it's a specific issue of if it affects other people, and if there's a work-around or different build of dd-wrt to fix this problem, I'd be glad to test them !

Sorry for the long message, thanks for your time :)

Anthony

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-22 of 22 | Latest Comment

August 7, 2011 3:33 AM

Hi anthony,

can you also show me a screenshot of your wireless status page: Status->Wireless

August 7, 2011 4:44 PM

Hi,

I've noticed the exact same behavior on mine too.
I fiddled with the wi-fi parameters but couldn't het a good signal whenever I left the room.
I'm thinking of putting the factory firmware back. Meanwhile I use another wi-fi box connected to the WNR3500L.

Kind regards,

Renaud

August 7, 2011 5:07 PM

Hello,

Well I can't revert to dd-wrt right now since I couldnt use internet in the room anymore ... as soon as I can I'll try to reinstall it :)

Maybe you could take a screenshot of it Renaud, since it looks like we're both having the same problem ?

Thanks !

August 7, 2011 5:28 PM updated: August 7, 2011 5:32 PM

Hey,

Here's the screenshot:
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7331/wnr3500l.png

FYI, whenever I deactivate and reactivate the wi-fi (or reboot the router), it seems to be responding a tad better and then it falls back to being weak.
I guess it's a driver problem of some sort.

Btw, frame burst is disabled, I read on DD-WRT's wiki that it could cause the wi-fi to be slow with more than 3 devices connected.

And right now, my computer says the signal is excellent but the bandwidth varies from 1Mbps to 5.5Mbps. (the other wi-fi AP, which is now powered down, gives me 24 to 36Mbps when it's on)

Kind regards,

Renaud

August 8, 2011 3:28 AM updated: August 8, 2011 3:29 AM

Hi Renaud,

your TX Power is way too high for a WNR3500L and will cause the radio unit to be overheating. This can either kill the radio unit or temporarily cause radio signal/stability problems

My build sets a maximum of 40mW. In hot areas I would recommend to even go lower.

Raising the TX Power by a factor of 2 does not increase signal by 2. E.g. if you go from 20mW to 40mW you will only increase the signal by around 10%.
The only way to really increase range is to switch antennas which you normally can't on the wnr3500L. Another thing is that a MIMO 11n router only increases range when used with N client adapters.

Last hint:

make sure you updated all the client adapters with the latest drivers, my last few builds add wireless powermanagement support, if they clients don't corrently implement it it can cause problems.

August 8, 2011 3:48 AM

Hi,

Well, the default value I had there after installing your firmware was 71mW...
(and I did a hard reset before installing it and after)
So I only increased it by 4.
I'll drop the TX power to 40 when I'll get back home and see what happens.

All the laptops I have are N capables (the only G equipement is the printer) with the last drivers.

Kind regards,

Renaud

August 8, 2011 3:52 AM

Hi,

Well, the default value I had there after installing your firmware was 71mW...
(and I did a hard reset before installing it and after)
So I only increased it by 4.
I'll drop the TX power to 40 when I'll get back home and see what happens.

All the laptops I have are N capables (the only G equipement is the printer) with the last drivers.

Kind regards,

Renaud

August 8, 2011 4:01 AM

Hi Renaud,

if you have only N/G clients you should set N/G-Mixed mode under wireless Basic settings, your screen shot shows you have set it to B/G

August 8, 2011 4:50 AM

I had more problems when NG was setup instead of BG.
But I guess this has to do with the fact that the TX Power is set too high.

I'll get back to you after the modifications.

Kind regards,

Renaud

August 8, 2011 7:42 AM

Personally, when I first installed your firmware, TX power was set to 40 and I had the same problem. I tried to play with it (higher, lower ...), didn't change a thing for me.

And I can confirm that the signal quality was better using G-mode only instead of N-G even though connected devices were N capable

August 8, 2011 1:08 PM

I've setup the TX Power to 44mW.
But:
TX Power(Default: 71, Range: 1 - 251mW)

I'll check how that goes for the range later.

Kind regards,

Renaud

August 8, 2011 4:39 PM

Yes the description states 71 is the default for the 4716 broadcom SOC, but the default value which will be set for factory defaults is 40mW in my build. Tomato sets 41 as default.

If you login via ssh and run command:

wl

You will see (txpwr Set tx power in milliwatts. Range [1, 84]. ) .

So the maximum for this chipset is 84. But it always depends on the design of the router if this is safe or not. The 251 is not correct for this chipset. I just haven't bothered to change the text description.

August 8, 2011 4:45 PM

Thanks for the input, much appreciated!
So far, having a lesser value for the Tx power seems to make the Wi-Fi more reliable.
I'll try to reactivate NG Mixed mode tomorrow and see how it reacts.

Nevertheless, your build is fantastic and having that many features on that router is really nice.

Kind regards,

Renaud

August 10, 2011 4:38 PM

Hi,
The wi-fi is still unstable in NG Mixed mode.
The range is still limited in BG, but it's stable.

Kind regards,

Renaud

August 13, 2011 11:36 AM

I've reverted back to Netgear stock firmware for now.
That wi-fi was problem was getting on my nerves.

Kind regards,


Renaud

August 18, 2011 9:20 AM

Just curious how you guys went back to the original firmware. did you use this method here http://www.myopenrouter.com/article/16099/How-To-Reflash-Factory-Firmware-on-...
Thanks

August 18, 2011 9:32 AM

Exactly.
Actually, I used the method posted here:
http://www.myopenrouter.com/article/13859/How-To-Debrick-Your-NETGEAR-WNR3500...
The firmware I downloaded on Netgear's website wouldn't work.
Using the one in the TFTP directory on the CD-ROM worked instantly.
Don't forget to do a 30/30/30 reset after the flashing is complete. :)

August 18, 2011 12:04 PM

Thanks for the confirmation.

September 8, 2011 6:41 AM updated: September 8, 2011 8:38 AM

Hi,
Wifi looks now usable for me with this build 17586. I get stable throughput in the various rooms of my house :-)))
Cheers Kong !

EDIT: WIFI works now ! DLNA perfect with two simultaneous wireless clients ( WRN3500L + USB HD FAT32 to PS3-54G + Android phone - Wifi N = #2Mb/s bitrate )

September 16, 2011 10:21 AM

Hi,
Does anybody know how is handle the WIFI speed (xx Mbps)? Maybe some good link to share ?
I am wondering why the wifi speed is varying so much on the router and on the wireless clients. With Netgear firmware I had stable speeds ( I had no problems so I didn't carefully chase the speed). With DD-WRT the speed varies and can drop very low and rises up later on (even with only one client connected to the router). Is this linked to some kind of power saving ? Or is it only driven by the quality/attenuation of the wireless link ?
Thanks

View unverified member's comment - posted by 1337Skittles

November 12, 2011 11:08 AM

I'm having the same WiFi issues with this build as well. Can I ask where you found 17586?

Thanks

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Back to Top | Comments 1-22 of 22 | Latest Comment

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