Wifi Issues in Large 4 bed house

I cover most of my house with a Cisco RV134AC router that works fine.

People instinctively do not like Ethernet, but ONE Ethernet wire from main floor network to upstairs with CAT5e or 6 Ethernet will give top grade reliable service to the second floor and let you put one more Wi-Fi router in. I have done so in my house.

have you done survey before installing?

You can get an app called wifi analyzer on android phones.  It will help to see what channels are most congested.  Also, if you have 5 ghz capability in the router, make sure they are not broadcasting the same SSID -- some devices will switch constantly between 2.4 and 5 ghz.  

More importantly is your comment that the fiber router reboots constantly.  That indicates something is awry with that router, if it feeds your wifi acces then can be the main issue.

Did you check for interference issues between the router and the WAPs? I recommend the app that Fred has cited. You may also find you have more wireless devices than needed broadcasting signal around the house (do you really need 2 WAPs in addition to your router)? If you go into the settings for each one, you may want to manually set the channels in use (1, 6, and 11 are the non overlapping channels in 2.4 GHz).

thanks guys for all the advise. The Main Bband router doesnt reboot constantly so i dont think thats an issue. im not sure what you mean re the survey? All 4 networks have different SSID's - 2 per router. eg WifA2.4, WifiA5.0, WifiB2.4 & WifiB5.0. I have the 2.4 SSID's on 1,6 & 11. Hard wiring is not an option unfortunately. I have upgraded the fireware on both devices. What is the best app to test the wifi on say an ipad? Are there any other settings on the 2 Tp-link wifi routers that i should check?

I am not a big fan of house wiring, but get the very best adapters you can get, find a direct path from main to second floor and connect one end to the main network and other end to a good quality Wi-Fi router . Use top quality gear throughout.

i did the job tonight so fingers crossed that it all stays working! I will only know in the next few days if it's working.
then i can share out the points.
they had an industrial air con unit in the kitchen which may have something to do with the previous issues? time will tell :)

just got word the other day that they are still having wifi issues!
dont have all the details yet so will update later

Any updates for details?

That wifi i was is still giving issues!
I don’t want to have to rely on powerline anymore if possible.
It works fine for a couple of days & then blips out. no pattern to it. cant narrow down the issue.
Getting desperate now!!
Have anyone tried any of these devices or something similar?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01KVRRSNI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071241G3R/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1AUCPBF2P18HS&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-088269-Whole-Home-Wi-Fi/dp/B01NBMMVG7/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1504003594&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=bt+whole+home+wifi&psc=1

Are you certain there is no way for one Ethernet cable from main to upper floor?  Through a closet?  That could solve a lot of your issues.

Did you ever set up the C2 units as APs and connect them to the powerline units? Then you wouldn't need to use the wireless built into the powerline devices (I could not tell you how well the built in wireless works on those things). However, if you want to use the C2s, I would highly recommend against using them as repeaters. The performance is going to degrade as you are further away from the router, plus they have to be placed in areas that the signal is still strong. Otherwise, it's a case of garbage in, garbage out. However, I noticed that the C2s have a reputation for freezing based on reviews I've been reading.

You've also never mentioned if any of the devices connected to the powerline units hardwired have issues. If not, it's purely a wireless problem. This is what I'm betting on to be the case.

Looking deeper into the specs of your powerline units, the problem is probably the wireless in them (assuming you're using that). It's only capable of N. Using the C2 units, would provide far better speed (but see what I mentioned about reviews earlier).

So my recommendation would be to upgrade the units. If the ones in use are, exchange them. Otherwise, you'll have to buy new ones. This, for example, would be a far better bet than what you currently have (assuming you want ones with wireless built in): http://uk.tp-link.com/products/details/cat-18_TL-WPA8730-KIT.html

If you want to have APs separate of the powerline, then you need to get something considerably better in quality than those C2s. I have a C7 which has worked great for the most part.

thanks guys for your help again.
Running the cable is not an option here unfortunately!
I dont use the c2's as repeaters. just ap's.
they have fixed ip's & the router is dhcp.
the powerline plugs are not wireless.
I tested all the equipment offsite  before bringing it onsite & threw everything at them & they all worked well?
when i was onsite everything was working very well & the speeds were v good.
so it's all intermittent which is a pain to narrow down

You have limited options:

1. Ethernet connection cable - you won't do that.

2. Top quality power line adapters - splurge for top quality units.

3. More powerful Wi-Fi repeaters - again, quality (so price) is highly important.

Replace the C2s. C7s are vastly better units, and there are APs better than that available. You could even look at UniFi AC access points. Start there.

Secondarily, you can replace the powerlines units with better ones as I have already suggested.

thanks again guys for the advise. I dont think replacing the c2's will help. the coverage is excellent when it's all working.
I have often used the Tp-link powerline adapters & they are usually excellent.
I was doing alot of research on wireless ap's & the Ubiquiti range gets great reviews!
Has anyone used their products? I think the LR version would work better for me than the Pro.
They should work with the tplink powerline adapters?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-LR-802-11ac-Dual-Radio/dp/B016K5A06C/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1504170688&sr=1-4&keywords=ubiquiti+access+point

I dont think replacing the c2's will help. the coverage is excellent when it's all working.

I didn't suggest replacing the C2s because of the coverage range, but because of the fact that you say they keep seeming to act up.

I have often used the Tp-link powerline adapters & they are usually excellent.

Only consider replacing the powerline adapters if you can 100% surely eliminate the wireless as an issue. I keep pointing right back at it because of your citing issues when you used the existing APs at home.

I was doing alot of research on wireless ap's & the Ubiquiti range gets great reviews!
Has anyone used their products? I think the LR version would work better for me than the Pro.

I can tell you that the UniFI APs work great as long as you're not in a high interference area. I've done a number of deployments of them in houses and offices alike. I would personally replace the C2s with them. You'd be fine with either one to be honest. The Pro is a POE unit. The LR is a passive POE unit. Note: the 5 packs don't include the power injectors for either model. That said, solely from a cost perspective, get the LR. From a speed perspective, get the Pro.

They should work with the tplink powerline adapters?

Yes, they'll work without issue. Just be sure you have the injector and don't connect it incorrectly to avoid messing up the powerline adapter.

thanks Masrock! thats brilliant advise. i will report back when i get them. it could be a few weeks so i'm not sure if i can keep this open?

After 2 weeks, this question will be alerted to be pushed for getting to closure. I say go ahead and do what you can and I guess that will determine the best route.

Any updates?