FAQ
TL;DR: TL-WR940N’s 100 Mb/s WAN means real Wi‑Fi around 90–120 Mb/s; “It is this port that determines the speed also after WiFi.” Upgrade to a Gigabit, dual‑band AC router and fix any bad cabling to reach 200–300 Mb/s. [Elektroda, matek451, post #16952876]
Quick Facts
- TL-WR940N uses 2.4 GHz N with Fast Ethernet (100 Mb/s) ports, capping throughput near ~94 Mb/s. [Elektroda, matek451, post #16952820]
- Real Wi‑Fi is about 30–40% of the advertised link rate; N300 often delivers ~100 Mb/s. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #16952889]
- For 200–300 Mb/s over Wi‑Fi, use 802.11ac (dual‑band 2.4/5 GHz) plus Gigabit WAN. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #16953009]
- 5 GHz offers higher peak speeds but attenuates more through walls; placement is critical. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #16953009]
- Final fix in thread: 5 GHz router with 1000 Mb/s WAN + replacing a damaged Ethernet cable. [Elektroda, effic, post #17375589]
Why do I only get ~90 Mb/s on TL‑WR940N with 300 Mb/s fiber?
Because the router’s WAN/LAN are 100 Mb/s and it runs 2.4 GHz N. That combination commonly yields ~90 Mb/s over Wi‑Fi. Your ISP link can be faster, but the router becomes the bottleneck. This performance is considered normal for this model. [Elektroda, matek451, post #16952820]
Does the 100 Mb/s WAN port limit my Wi‑Fi speed?
Yes. The WAN port caps total throughput. As one expert notes, “It is this port that determines the speed also after WiFi.” Even perfect Wi‑Fi cannot exceed the 100 Mb/s WAN ceiling for internet traffic. Upgrade to a Gigabit WAN to remove that cap. [Elektroda, matek451, post #16952876]
Can Wi‑Fi ever reach the advertised 450 Mb/s on this router?
No. 450 Mb/s is a PHY rate under ideal lab conditions. Real throughput is typically 30–40% of that due to protocol overhead and interference. Expect about 100 Mb/s with N‑class clients on 2.4 GHz in real homes. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #16952889]
What do I need to truly see 200–300 Mb/s over Wi‑Fi?
Use a dual‑band 802.11ac (5 GHz) router with Gigabit WAN and a matching ac‑capable client. 5 GHz delivers higher peak rates but loses more through walls, so keep distances short and line‑of‑sight when possible. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #16953009]
Will a Gigabit router help if my PC has only an N300 Wi‑Fi adapter?
Not much. An N300 adapter typically tops out near 100–120 Mb/s in practice. Upgrading the router alone will not bypass the client’s wireless limit. For higher speeds, upgrade the client to an ac adapter or use Ethernet. [Elektroda, matek451, post #16953052]
2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz: which should I use for speed?
Use 5 GHz for higher throughput and lower congestion. However, 5 GHz attenuates more through walls, so plan for shorter range and careful placement. Use 2.4 GHz when you need better penetration at the cost of speed. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #16953009]
What real‑world speeds did users report on AC1200 at close range?
One user measured about 350 Mb/s down and 220 Mb/s up over 5 GHz at ~2 meters using an Intel AC7265 client. This shows what a midrange AC1200 setup can deliver under favorable conditions. [Elektroda, Gatki, post #16952912]
Which USB Wi‑Fi adapter pairs well with an AC router for 200 Mb/s+?
A TP‑Link Archer T4UH (AC1300) was recommended, but it requires USB 3.0 for best performance. On USB 2.0, throughput can bottleneck. Match the adapter and port to avoid artificial caps. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #16953168]
Is an Archer C1200 plus an AC600 adapter enough for 200 Mb/s?
The router is fine, but AC600 can be marginal. It relies on 5 GHz and may not consistently hit 200 Mb/s depending on environment and drivers. Consider AC1200‑class adapters for more headroom. [Elektroda, matek451, post #16953126]
How do I troubleshoot low Wi‑Fi speed on a 300 Mb/s line?
- Verify router specs: ensure Gigabit WAN and 5 GHz support.
- Test with a wired PC; replace any suspect Ethernet patch cable.
- Re‑test on 5 GHz near the router with an ac‑class client.
A bad cable plus a Fast‑Ethernet router caused the slowdown in this case. [Elektroda, effic, post #17375589]
Can a damaged Ethernet cable really cut my speeds?
Yes. A faulty twisted‑pair cable can force link renegotiation or high error rates, slashing throughput. Replacing a damaged cable restored full performance for the original poster after upgrading the router. Always test with a known‑good Cat5e or better patch lead. [Elektroda, effic, post #17375589]
Is Wi‑Fi good enough if I can’t run Ethernet to my PC?
It can be, with an ac‑class router and client on 5 GHz. For sustained high bitrates or local transfers, Ethernet still wins. Many power users wire bandwidth‑hungry devices and use Wi‑Fi for mobile gear. [Elektroda, matek451, post #16953052]
What does 802.11ac (AC1200) actually mean?
802.11ac is a 5 GHz standard that enables higher throughput than 802.11n. AC1200 indicates combined theoretical rates across bands, not real download speed. To benefit, both router and client must support ac. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #16953009]
Will switching to a Gigabit, dual‑band router fix everything by itself?
It removes the 100 Mb/s WAN bottleneck, but client radios, interference, and cabling still matter. Pair with an ac client and good cables. As the expert said, upgrade both sides for reliable 200 Mb/s+. [Elektroda, matek451, post #16952876]
