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Knowledge document #514

Slow Wi-Fi connection

The Wi-Fi connection between the FRITZ!WLAN Stick and the wireless router (for example a FRITZ!Box) is very slow. Due to the low Wi-Fi speed, web pages load slowly, files take a long time to download, or image interference or interruptions occur during video streaming, for example.

Simply proceed as described below. After each measure, check whether the problem is solved.

1 Updating FRITZ!OS and Wi-Fi software

Updates contain improvements, bug fixes, and new functions. Therefore, install the latest FRITZ!OS or software version on all of the devices:

Installing the latest software for the wireless router

  1. Install the latest software for the wireless router according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you are using a FRITZ!Box as a wireless repeater, proceed as described in the guide Updating FRITZ!OS.

Installing the latest driver for the FRITZ!WLAN Stick

  1. Call up our download area in a web browser.
  2. Select the product group "FRITZ!WLAN" and then your product.
  3. Download the latest driver for your FRITZ!WLAN Stick.
  4. Unzip the ZIP file to your computer, for example to the Desktop.
  5. Double-click the file "setup.exe" and follow the instructions.

2 Removing USB 3.0 devices

  1. For testing purposes, remove all USB 3.0 devices from the USB ports on the wireless router and the computer to which the FRITZ!WLAN Stick is connected.
  2. If the problem no longer occurs then, a USB device was interfering with the radio connection and you must reduce the interference caused by the USB device.

3 Optimizing the FRITZ!WLAN Stick's Wi-Fi settings

Setting the maximum transmitter power

  1. Double-click the FRITZ!WLAN symbol in the notification area of the Windows taskbar (Systray).
  2. Click "Properties" in the "Connection Monitor" window.
  3. Select "100%" from the drop-down list "Transmitter power in %" under "Properties".
  4. Click "Close" to save the settings.

Testing different roaming settings

Test different threshold value settings to cause the FRITZ! WLAN Stick to switch Wi-Fi networks for Wi-Fi roaming:

  1. Double-click the FRITZ!WLAN symbol in the notification area of the Windows taskbar (Systray).
  2. Click "Properties" in the "Connection Monitor" window.
  3. Test different settings by "Roaming Behavior".
  4. Each time you try a new setting, click "Close" to save it.

4 Installing the latest chipset drivers for your computer

  1. On the computer, install the latest chipset drivers for the mainboard. You can find the latest drivers on the website of the mainboard or chipset manufacturer.

    Note:The chipset is a part of the mainboard that computer components are attached or connected to.

5 Finding the ideal location for the wireless router

  1. If possible, place the wireless router in a central location.
  2. Do not place the wireless router directly in the corner of a room.
  3. Position the wireless router so that it is as unobstructed as possible, i.e. not directly in back of or under an obstacle such as pieces of furniture or a heater.
  4. Place the wireless router as high in the room as possible, for example on a shelf.
  5. Place the wireless router so that there are as few obstacles as possible between it and other wireless devices. Especially metallic objects or objects containing water, for example radiators, refrigerators, or houseplants, significantly reduce the quality of the Wi-Fi signal.
  6. Place the wireless router away from other radio transmitters, for example microwaves, wireless speakers, or Bluetooth devices.

6 Connecting the FRITZ!WLAN Stick using USB 3.0 and the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network

The FRITZ!WLAN Stick can only achieve the highest possible Wi-Fi speed when it is connected to a USB 3.0 port and uses the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network:

Connecting the FRITZ!WLAN Stick to a USB 3.0 port

  1. Connect the FRITZ!WLAN Stick to a USB 3.0 port on the computer.

Optimizing the transmission capacity of the FRITZ!WLAN Stick

  1. Double-click the FRITZ!WLAN symbol in the notification area of the Windows taskbar (Systray).
  2. Click "Properties" in the "Connection Monitor" window.
  3. Enable the option "Optimize transmission capacity".
  4. Click "Close" to save the settings.

Establishing a Wi-Fi connection to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network

If you are using a FRITZ!Box as a wireless router that makes both the 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks available, then it automatically steers the FRITZ!WLAN Stick to the frequency band that is ideal for the given situation (band steering). If you are using a wireless router from another manufacturer:

  1. Use either the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network to establish the Wi-Fi connection to the router, or configure the router so that it can automatically steer the wireless devices connected to it into the ideal frequency band (band steering).

Now the FRITZ!WLAN Stick is ideally configured and you will achieve the greatest possible speed between it and the wireless router. If following these measures did not sufficiently improve the connection, then the wireless router or Wi-Fi environment is causing the issue and cannot be further influenced by the FRITZ!WLAN Stick.

Note:You can use a FRITZ!Repeater to increase the speed of the Wi-Fi network quickly and easily.

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