Connection issues with PC

So, this isn't a FFXIV issue, but it is something that's causing me issues. I have both a PC and a laptop. My laptop has no issues connecting wirelessly to my home router, but it's incapable of playing FFXIV. My PC can run FFXIV, but has MASSIVE issues connecting to the router.

In a position where my laptop, with an internal wireless NIC, is getting 4 bars, my PC is getting 1, or 0. Oftentimes it just stops seeing the router altogether, disconnecting me. I've tried with numerous wireless NICs as well as a NIC card inserted into my PC with the antenna (against all expectations, the card performs worst). It seems to be an issue with my router, but I can't understand what could POSSIBLY be the issue.

Does anyone have any idea what about a PC could make it struggle to receive wireless signals?

You might want to try updating the drivers for your NIC, or in your router settings changing the frequency that the wireless is broadcasting at. You might have multiple wireless devices using the same frequency and they could be causing intermittent connectivity issues.

My NIC drivers are up to date. As for changing the frequency, I've done that in the past with no real luck... and it also wouldn't explain why my PC's connection is abysmal in comparison to my laptop's.

never had much luck with drop in wireless cards in my PC's. Always attributed it to positioning. Sort of old-school CB radio tuning. All that metal at the back--forming a ground plane that the signals are bouncing off of. More or less, you could be aiming away from your router without realizing it. Then there's potential weirdness with furniture and walls and what not that might be between you and the router if in another room.

Got my best results with a USB NIC for the PC's. Even the little thumb drive looking ones. Run a USB extension cable so that you can set that little dongle up on the desk, tape it to the window--sort of like running an FM wire up the wall on the old console stereos to pick up more radio stations. Man... talking about CB's, FM, ... I'm feeling old now.

I guess the real question is: What kind of router do you have?

A single band router operating on a 2.4ghz signal can receive interference from quite a number of things. Certain building materials, multilevel homes, glass partitions and household devices that operate on the 2.4ghz frequency like microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones can all degrade wireless performance. Dual band routers that offer the 5ghz channel can offer better stability in cases like the above.

It could also be a router with a poor signal. But if both the PC, and the Laptop are the same distance, and one has a good signal and the other doesn't. You can assume in that case that the issue is not with the router.

The laptop and the PC are at about the same distance. In fact, I've currently got it hooked up so that my PC is wired to my laptop and using the laptop's internet connection. Dodgy and doesn't fix the base issue, but it works for now. This also answers a few things:

1: Wired connections work fine
2: The router is having no trouble transmitting the data far enough.

Honestly, the thing bugging me most about this is how bizarre it seems. I know a fair bit about how computers work, been using them since I was an early teenager, and nothing about this problem seems to make any sense. The only thing that comes to mind is that my PC may be having issues using it's own hardware. I've noticed intermittent issues with my USB mouse and keyboard, and with a USB headset (Regular audio ports work fine though), so there's the possibility that something's faulty with my USB slots that's causing anything plugged in to underperform, AND my NIC card is also faulty.

A good NIC is just as important as a good Router. I would try to get a PCI NIC for the PC. One will good antenna, and pick up range. You can get these for around $20- $50.

As for the USB not working. USB ports can go bad, but can also suffer from driver issues. You might need to update your chipset drivers (if the USB ports are not failing due to hardware issues.)

Greetings,

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