D-Link Forums

The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => Routers / COVR => DIR-820L => Topic started by: esham on February 17, 2014, 11:33:25 AM

Title: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: esham on February 17, 2014, 11:33:25 AM
Just got this router a few months ago.  Went through all the trouble of setting it up but then hit a huge wall.
My house is not wireless friendly and the lack of an external antenae is killing me.

I have an old Linksys WRT54G sitting next to this router just for my 3DS needs.  Since i set up that 2nd router my Dlink needs to be reset once a day.

Lan works fine on the DLink still (wired pc) but every wireless device goes no where.  the fix?  reset. go figure.

Should have known better to think DLINK has gotten much further in the business.  Back to my old Asus router from 8 years ago that is still more stable than brand new Dlink devices.

As for how to help, is there a new firmware coming out for this device?  I basically have a dual band router that isn't dual band as the wireless N is so weak it can't get 1/4 the distance of G.  Sure my house has walls etc but my old, ie: 8 year old, external antenae router gets 2x the signal this new router does.  

That is on G though.  N is a complete poop shoot. 1 wall and i go from 5 bars to 1.  2 walls and 0 signal.

Looks nice though, but feels like this router is a dud due to the lack of any information on the internet about it.

Also, please no copy/paste answers.  I have configured this router 5x over to be able to have working wireless G in my house.  But introducing a 2nd router next to it has crippled it.  I will probably have to neuter the tx settings on the linksys to give this router a chance.
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on February 17, 2014, 11:52:37 AM
Link>Welcome! (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=41537.0)


 
Wireless Configurations
Links>Wireless Installation Considerations (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=48327.0) and Managing Signal Congestion (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=53228.0) and Good Neighbour Policy (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=10634.0)

Router Placement
Forum User - "Well I feel really dumb. After moving the router away from other electronic devices my speeds are back to normal. Just a heads up for anyone experiencing slow speeds, you might want to move it away from other electronics and see if that helps."
6' minimum safe distance between devices.


If the Linksys is right next to the 820L then I presume this is probably the main cause of the wifi issues. Any 2.4Ghz radio near any other transmitting radio will cause interferences and problems.

I highly recommend moving the Linksys AP far away from the 820L as possible and use different channels. Put the 820L on 11 and the Linksys on channel 1.
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: esham on February 17, 2014, 12:12:42 PM
I think they only make A1 versions of this router and there is 1 firmware 1.01 which i updated to.  I live in canada if it helps.

The routers are about 6' apart though.  They work perfectly fine the majority of the time.  The wifi on the 820L just drops and only a reset will recover.

820L is on channel 11, 1 router next door (i live in a house) is on channel 6.  Linksys is on channel 1. 

N wireless isn't even worth mentioning.  after 1 wall signal cuts in half.  2 walls and i get nothing.  Just no oomph.

I wonder how hard it would be to extend the antennae on this thing.  I know i will void the warranty but at this point i have a sexy $89 paper weight that i can't return as its too late. 
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on February 17, 2014, 12:23:32 PM
What happens if you go single mode N and disable HT20/40Mhz under Adv/Adv Wireless?
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: esham on February 17, 2014, 12:34:33 PM
I will check when i get home Furry.  iirc i turned off everything on N to see how much signal i could squeeze out of it before interference took over.  

Is there any recommended settings for stability over speed?  I am not really caring about wireless N at this point, i just tire of having to reset the router daily or every other day.  

I am pretty sure i got N on 20mhz but i recall their being a bunch of "extra's" that my google-fu didn't resolve for me. 
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on February 17, 2014, 12:37:02 PM
Go single mode G with HT20.40Mhz enabled.

I would test the 820L with all other APs disabled. Central placement is crucial as well, main level and centrally located on the main floor if possible.

Is this building wood or concrete? I presume a wooden house?
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: esham on February 17, 2014, 01:21:11 PM
Ya its an old wooden house.  My PC/hardware is in a loft above the living room/ kitchen.  Bedrooms are main level but at the other end although i am not really concerned about the signal strength at that end. 

The loft itself has a sloped roof (think A frame) and on the sides there are built in shelving that the router is sitting on.  Modem is actually in a shelf and the Linksys is in a shelf as well.  Dlink is external.

But ya i will do some more testing again. 

Would having dual band disabled do much for just G wireless strength?  I am not sure how the router would handle 1 vs 2 going and IF that would get more juice into a single network.

Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on February 17, 2014, 01:24:31 PM
If your not using the 5Ghz radio, then sure, you can disable it? I don't know if it will effect the 2.4Ghz radio or not.

This shelving wooden as well or metal? Metal shelving will also impact WiFi signals. I'd place the 820L out side any shelving or on top of it as much as possible. Again, keep other AP away from it as much as possible.

Does the 820L behave the same if you turn off the other AP?

Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: esham on February 17, 2014, 01:44:14 PM
Its all wood finished up there.  Not much electrical in the walls either actually. 

And i will try turning off the linksys to see if it resolves.  I was resetting for a bit when i first got the router then i configured it and it worked really well.

Not until i fired up the linksys did i start having drops. 



Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on February 17, 2014, 01:49:44 PM
Ok...probably a good place to start.  ::)
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: esham on February 17, 2014, 02:16:02 PM
Thanks Furry, i will do some fiddling tonight and post my findings. 

I might invest in some long ethernet to put the other router far away. its really just for 3DS's (don't ask, or do but in a message lol)
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on February 17, 2014, 02:20:14 PM
Ya I know, Nintendo and there non compliance with WPA and WPA2. Seen it on other forums were WEP can only be used and using a 2nd router for WEP only devices is recommended, just need some distance between them. I can run the same thing too when I have it going, it's about 20 feet apart and the power out put it set to LOW on that AP.

Keep us posted.
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: themoeller on March 27, 2014, 06:58:38 PM
Let me add...i have the same issues...

820l about 5 feet high in the center of my apartment.  Small place...my gf has an apple tv, and I have an ouya in the bedroom about 30 feet max from the router.  Both units are inches from the door, and the doors fake wood lol but the signal drops.  One day its great, next its impossible.  Everything wired to the router is ok.  My mac mini is wireless and about 4 feet away.  Feels slow, but speed tests are solid.

broadcasting both bands, for older and newer devices.  Wpa2

I've had a Lumia 900 and 1520 with no issues.  An old kindle no issues, but my gfs iPhone 3g, 4, and 4s drop.

sorry for the rant...im ready to change routers, again.  Lol
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on March 27, 2014, 07:04:56 PM
Maybe you can answer some of the questions presented here:
http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=57661.0 (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=57661.0)

Let me add...i have the same issues...

820l about 5 feet high in the center of my apartment.  Small place...my gf has an apple tv, and I have an ouya in the bedroom about 30 feet max from the router.  Both units are inches from the door, and the doors fake wood lol but the signal drops.  One day its great, next its impossible.  Everything wired to the router is ok.  My mac mini is wireless and about 4 feet away.  Feels slow, but speed tests are solid.

broadcasting both bands, for older and newer devices.  Wpa2

I've had a Lumia 900 and 1520 with no issues.  An old kindle no issues, but my gfs iPhone 3g, 4, and 4s drop.

sorry for the rant...im ready to change routers, again.  Lol
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: themoeller on March 27, 2014, 07:25:18 PM
No that's a separate issue.  I'm having range issues...signal dropping.  I'm 30 feet max away.
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on March 27, 2014, 07:31:06 PM
Those questions still apply. The more we know about your situation the better we can help you sir.

Please feel free to copy and past those questions and responses here if you wish...

No that's a separate issue.  I'm having range issues...signal dropping.  I'm 30 feet max away.
Title: Re: Poor Signal, no way to fix
Post by: FurryNutz on May 09, 2014, 03:17:11 PM
Any status on this?  ???

Let me add...i have the same issues...

820l about 5 feet high in the center of my apartment.  Small place...my gf has an apple tv, and I have an ouya in the bedroom about 30 feet max from the router.  Both units are inches from the door, and the doors fake wood lol but the signal drops.  One day its great, next its impossible.  Everything wired to the router is ok.  My mac mini is wireless and about 4 feet away.  Feels slow, but speed tests are solid.

broadcasting both bands, for older and newer devices.  Wpa2

I've had a Lumia 900 and 1520 with no issues.  An old kindle no issues, but my gfs iPhone 3g, 4, and 4s drop.

sorry for the rant...im ready to change routers, again.  Lol