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Internet received over phoneline with router connected to a BT extension socket and Ethernet cable to desktop. Ongoing internet speed and dropping connection problems--no better now am with Talk Talk

Wondering if I can keep the Ethernet wired connection to my desktop PLUS also connect another router to the main BT socket just for wifi- so other users in house can use that with the hope the signal will be better. i.e. eliminating reduced speed due to internal wiring.

Obviously no good if the problems I get are outside of the house

You can only have one router connected to a normal broadband phoneline.

Sounds like connecting router to the main socket and using powerline adapters would be your best solution (highly recommend tp-link ones).

You could run a long ethernet cable from main-socket router to your computer if you can find a physical route.

As part of the diagnosis you should connect your router to the main socket always. (as stated above).

Extension Sockets can cause problems if they are not installed correctly. For example they should not run along a power cable. If its not twisted correctly or you have a loose connection.

Moving your router to the master may be a pain in the backside, but it could also show you that it no longer drops out anymore.

Powerline adapters are great.
You can buy them with Wifi built in also.

The intermittent wifi speed could be for many reasons, not all obvious.

Your provider is only interested in delivering your service to the door, and rarely go much further than that in the way of help or solutions.

To resolve the Wifi issues, and best practice you would need a inspection, so the best advice for your home wifi can be resolved.

Drop outs may not be drop outs, wifi isnt like cable, it waits for a slot before it can transmit the data, and if you have heavy usage, or many devices on 1 wifi channel the drop outs your describing, would be common under load.

Drop me a private message, if you need more help.

To expand on my answer and clarify part of Mark's: You can have a router on the end of extensions BUT the cable used to the extension must be of the correct type and it must be wired in a certain way .... which is rarely the case - even if you do this correctly most ISP's will not accept that it a valid way of connecting a router.

Cheers guys. Think I will try the router in main socket and just use wifi for time being and see if that improves things. Unfortunately my desktop pc doesn't have wifi.
Earlier today speed of under 1mb. Tonight back up to 3.5mb which is best I can get according to Talk Talk.
Convinced its weather affected--quite still tonight.

Speed tests should be taken on a wired connection, so you can get a true representation of your "Goodput" only then you will be able to problem solve.

Generally we have too much faith in Wireless connections. Just being connected to your wifi is half the story. There is interface, congestion, and noise, not to mention collisions and frames that become corrupt.

Most people accept it just works.
However fewer understand how it works and why it can be unreliable and frustrating.

If you want to remove the headaches cable is really the only way to go.

When you experience the slow speeds.
You should check the up and down stream speed on the router, also check Talk Talk Broadband Status via there website, as they can also have issues too.

As more and more homes put demand on there wifi, these problems due to a lack of understanding are all to common to me.

If you have been told 3.5 mb is the best down stream to expect, then your not on fiber, and you must be 3 to 4 miles from the exchange. It wont be long before your offered the fiber option. But that wont fix wifi problems in the home.

If the speed hasn't increased by changing suppliers then chances are there could either be problems on your phone line or at the exchange.
You could also live to great a distance from the exchange. Greater the distance, the lower the speed

Like Mark has said, you MAY benefit from the fibre option, however this is at additional cost.

Please be aware that this is NOT always the fix

You are only 1 mile from the exchange by road and the obvious (and virtually only) route for the telephone line???

Thought had solved the problem. Talk talk sent me a new router to replace the virginmedia one .plugged into bt socket with filter for phone. Everyones wifi worked fine for a week no disconnection issues, strong signal throughout house, no real buffering problems on youtube. Then last couple days everyone going slow even though signal strength shows very good.

Hi Fish,
ok when this happens next you have to be prepared to work backwards from the source.

I sent you the link for Talk Talk Status page.
When it happens to you, you also want to know if its happening to others also, then you have the answer on that particular day.

Signal and Through Put are not the same.
Just because you have a great signal, does not tell you if there is a bottle neck further down the line.

With Wifi each device is fighting to transmit and receive, but will have to wait as there is only space to transmit one at a time.

I went all technical, and deleted my comments, and ask if you come back with the status of talk talk when this happens again. (The check the status 30 mins later incase its late in being reported).

If that comes back as ok, then i can offer more advice.
I would be inclined to get you all to watch you tube at the same time on your individual devices and then see if it bottle necks again. Being able to recreate the issue under your own conditions is half the battle. Because then you can work the solution.

You have the tools,
Powerline adapters and a Plug in Access Point.
Set up a new SSID with the Access Point, don't set it up as a repeater, Set it up as a Access point and then ethernet cable to the Powerline Adapter. This will create a new signal for say upstairs to also hook up too, leaving downstairs to use the router as its connection point.

Physical Wire Speed and Wifi are two completely different mediums for sending information. Wires are always best.

Hope that helps,
feel free to call me or drop me a pm for advice.

Sorry fish5133
My reply above i though you were someone else, ignore the bit about you have the tools.

If you still have problems feel free to drop me a private message.

Mark

No worries mark.