New Router giving worse wireless than old one...

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Mask

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Hi...surely a brand new Trendnet TEW-658BRM Router should give a better wireless signal/range than an old Telkom Mega 100WR? Installed the new one yesterday and my wireless signal around the house is weaker with no other changes at all. iPhone 5 not picking up my wireless signal in a section of the house where my old HTC did...why?

Also, I tried updating the Firmware - went through the process of downloading the correct file from the Trendnet site and using it in the Update Firmware section of the router maintenance. It went through the process, including rebooting the router, but the old version is still showing....any advice?

Thanks in advance...
 
Is the new router using the same channel as the old one? Try changing the channel and see if it helps as the new router might have picked a channel that has interference at your place.
 
Also troll through all the settings on the new router and check whether it's got a setting to adjust the signal strength.

And, as eff-it-all said, try other channels. The possibility that there's interference on the one channel is there. (Did you switched the old wireless AP off?)
 
Thanks...not sure what channel the old one was on, but I will change the new one.

Sorry - what is the wireless AP? Where would I need to turn that off?
 
Mask said:
Thanks...not sure what channel the old one was on, but I will change the new one.

Sorry - what is the wireless AP? Where would I need to turn that off?
Click to expand...

He meant the old router - is it still in use or have you disconnected it?
 
I have the same, I have no issues with the wifi and distance but I do not like it. Keeps losing the "always on" and also is very very sensitive to power fluctuations.
 
Hemi300c said:
I have the same, I have no issues with the wifi and distance but I do not like it. Keeps losing the "always on" and also is very very sensitive to power fluctuations.
Click to expand...
What do you mean it loses "always on"?

Mask said:
Yes - it is disconnected completely
Click to expand...
OK, try changing channels and report back. Try channels 1, 6 and 11 especially.
 
Unfortunately it seems like the 2x 2dBi antennas are fixed and not replaceable. 2dBi gain is rather weak, which could be one of the reasons why the signal strength is low.
Aside from tweaking the WiFi channel to an open/better performing one, I'd also suggest that you play around with the orientation/direction in which the antennas point.
If you just have 1 floor, then start by pointing both antennas directly upwards and then start tilting them slightly away from each other till you have a good signal all around.

If you have an Android phone, install WiFi Analyzer and use that application to find open WiFi channels :)

Lastly, if your router has the option of changing the WiFi output power, then you can play around with that too. Just take note that setting the output power to a high value will just result in more noise and worse signal quality, even though the signal may go further! Lowering the output power (from the default value) in homes may actually improve the WiFi performance.
This is why I'd always suggest that you rather do something with the antennas and WiFi channel first.
 
I had the same router, after 3 months I just selved it and replaced it with a netgear.
It seems to be a common problem that when the router gets a power dip, the wireless would stop working.
And you would need to turn it on and off to get wireless back.
 
You do know that Trendnet is the worst networking component on the market right now...

There are many threads here of people complaining how useless it is.

Do yourself a favor and buy yourself a Netgear or a D link.
 
My New TP Link's signal range is rubbish compared to the ancient Telkom Duo I was planning on shelving. I will try changing channels but there are only 2 other wifi users in my neighbourhood so I doubt that is the reason. Very disappointed...I thought the manufactures would have made signal range their No. 1 priority instead of the fancy design and oversized antenna's
 
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