Testing TP-Link Router Speeds over Ethernet and Wi-Fi

This procedure applies to most TP-Link broadband access products with slow Speedtest results, including TL-WR841N, TL-WR842N and TL-WR743ND. It does not apply when the Speedtest tool is built into the device.

Prepare for testing

• Connect one computer to the router by Ethernet and a laptop, PC or phone by Wi-Fi so you can compare wired and wireless performance.
• Close applications that consume network resources on the test device.
• Install inSSIDer and any network analysis tools you will use.
• Restore the router to factory settings to remove configuration variables.

Step 1: Check placement and interference

1. Align the test device with the router’s antenna at the same height. Do not put the router on the ground during testing; this affects wireless performance.

   

   Avoid inconsistent antenna polarization, placing the device too close to the router, misalignment, or a height difference between the device and antenna.

   

2. Check for nearby sources of interference using either method below.

   Method 1: Use the analysis tool

   Open the preinstalled inSSIDer tool, referred to here as Insider, and inspect the number of nearby interference sources in the bold red box.

   

   Method 2: Use WDS scanning

   In the WDS scan function, select “scan” to check interference.

   

   

Step 2: Compare performance

1. Keep the test device in the same position and at the same height relative to both the test router and the competing router.
2. Use that same device to test each router alternately.
3. Match all wireless parameters on both routers before alternating tests.

   The recommended wireless parameters are shown below.

   Wireless	Mode	Channel	Bandwidth	RTS Threshold
   2.4GHz	802.11b/g/n mixed	1	HT40	2347
   5GHz	802.11a/n/ac mixed	Band 1	HT80	2347

4. Export the configuration profile: conf.bin.
5. Record data throughout the comparison.

   

   

6. Check the network card and its negotiation speed. Follow Control panel > network and Internet > network connection, double-click the wireless card, and select properties.

   

   

   Use this table to compare the test device against the standard specification.

   

   Compare the wired and wireless clients as well.

   

   

Step 3: Check router configuration

WAN interface

1. Disable Quality of Service (QoS).

   

2. Disable Bandwidth Control.

   

3. Confirm that NAT is enabled and MTU remains at its default value. Log in to the router management website, then follow Network > Internet > Advanced > Enable NAT.

   

4. Check the WAN interface link mode. Use the data table to distinguish ADSL from VDSL. The listed ADSL limits are Max Rate Upstream<2Mbps Downstream<25Mbps.

   

2.4GHz wireless settings

1. Open inSSIDer on the test device and collect connection details. The illustrated readings are:
   • Channel: 10
   • Negotiating speed: 65Mbps
   • RSSI: -85dBm
   • Associated BSSID: 00:11:22:33:44:55

   

2. Prepare packet capture with these parameters:
   • RTS Threshold:2347 when interference is low
   • Short GI: Enable
   • WMM: Enable
   • TxBF: Enable
   • MU-MIMO: Unable; this function can be turned on when multiple clients are present

   Turn on Sniffer, capture packets on the appropriate channel, and record the Beacon Frame and Probe Response packets.

   

   

3. To improve the wireless rate, use inSSIDer to record interference and signal strength across channels, then choose a channel with little interference. Select HT20 for strong interference or HT40 for weak interference.

5GHz wireless settings

1. Open inSSIDer and collect the connection details. The illustrated readings are:
   • Channel: 10
   • Negotiating speed: 135Mbps
   • RSSI: -85dBm
   • Associated BSSID: 00:11:22:33:44:55

   

2. Configure wireless packet capture as follows:
   • RTS Threshold:2347 when interference is low
   • Short GI: Enable
   • WMM: Enable
   • TxBF: Enable
   • MU-MIMO: Unable; this function can be turned on when multiple clients are present

   Enable Sniffer and capture packets on the appropriate channel. Record the Beacon Frame and Probe Response packets.

   

   

3. Use inSSIDer to record channel interference and signal strength, then select a channel with little interference. HT80 is the recommended available bandwidth option.

Step 4: Submit your results

For details about individual functions and settings, find your product’s manual in the Download Center.