Equipment Support > Hardware By Brand > Linksys > [Wired] WRT54G very slow downstream

reply to flavoredair

Re: [Wired] WRT54G very slow downstream

reply to flavoredair
Have the same problem here. 4Mbit down to 0.5Mbit Strangly enough when I connect to the university via VPN the speed increases a lot but it's still 2/3 of the maximum.

reply to flavoredair
I have the same exact problems with a newly installed WRT55G. The MTU tweak doesn't even work below 1482. I have less than half the download speed on my wired desktop and less than 300 Kbps on my wireless notebook. I guess it is time to return the router. Linksys tech support was helpless too.

ISP: SBC/Yahoo DSL Pro

Just "upgraded" from Buffalo WBR2-G54 a WRT54G v5 from Amazon.com. Yup slow downloads. Went from approx. 2.5Mbps to 1.4Mbps. Gonna just send it back until Linksys gets their act together or try to find a v2.

reply to flavoredair
I've been doing quite a bit of research on the WRT54G lately. The firmware was Linux-based up until version 5. The V5 units use VxWorks firmware. I also read somewhere that version 5 has significantly less flash and ram memory but cannot confirm this.

It appears that Linksys decided to switch to proprietary software to prevent users from tweaking cheap routers to make them work like expensive routers. The Linux GPL required Linksys to make the firmware open-source.

The people over at wrt54g.net recommend against buying the version 5. Version 4 serial numbers begin with CDFA whereas version 5 serials start with CDFB. This is visible on the box near the UPC.

Staples has the WRT54G for $39.99 after easy rebate but all the local store had in stock was V5. I found one V4 left at the local Walmart for $49.99.

FYI, there are homebrew firmware tweaks (V4 and older) that can triple the output power and increase speed. See the above mentioned URL.

Doug

reply to flavoredair
I have the same problem with 2 v5s, one on Comcastr cable and one on Adelphia. Very diappointed in Linksys.

reply to doug6949
They seem to be just re-arranging things... Cheaper WRT54G v5 for people who just want a router, WRT54GS for those who want a little bit more speed, and a new WRT54GL for those who want Linux. But it is kinda sneeky how they just basically downgraded the hardware of WRT54G and GS without renaming it something else.

reply to flavoredair
I have this same problem with my mediacom cable...

I changed the MTU on the router, do i have to change it on my computers as well?

i changed it on router, and it is no difference...

I had the same problem with my befws11s4 v4 so i got a wrt54g and i have the same problem...pos linksys

reply to rpellegr
I'd just return it and get a v4 or below, or some other brand. I have a v5 right now at my parent's house.. it's sitting unused on a shelf while I get more use out of an old BEFW11S4. With 1.00.0 *or* (current) 1.00.2 firmware this thing's a real jalopy. Speeds were OK for the little I used it, but they have several B cards, and compatibility is very poor. I had to set it from "Auto" to "B-Only" mode for them to work at all, and then 1 still acted up trying to associate. Also, if you disable SES (the Secure-EZ-Setup) it randomly reenables itself which is no good since I already have WEP keys etc. setup.

The hardware's certainly willingly, so here's hoping 1.00.3 or whatever will fix it up.

reply to flavoredair
I have the same DSL speed issues as well as stability problems with the v5 router. One speed test gives me my 300kb just fine, another gives only 60kb. General internet browsing and my online games are slow. Even just the browser interface to control the router responds slow. Over time the speed of EVERYTHING gets slower and slower and eventually crashes. Upon restart it is a terrible pain to reconnect it to my DSL. I have on occasion restarted it two dozen times or so before it finally connected. All of these problems even with the firmware updated to 1.00.2.

I am returning router this ASAP.

reply to Mark Perry
I had the same issue with my wrt54g using version 5. after 3 hours, tech support told me to take it back and try to find a version 4 unit.

Same problem

Wired download speed with Terayon TJ715x Cable Modem is 4043 kbps, add the WRT54G (ver 5.0) and the wired download drops to 2419 kbps, upload stays about the same.

See my »TJ715x CM, WRT54G, Adelphia slow desktop post.

reply to flavoredair
I bought a v. 5 router a couple of weeks ago and have the same problem w/ slowdowns that others are reporting. My DL dropped from about 1500 to 200 (Bellsouth DSL). I upgraded the firmware to 1.00.2, but it didn't help. Linksys wasn't much help, they acted like they weren't aware of the problems people are having. I sent them a link to this thread. Don't know if they'll do anything, but I'm returning mine tomorrow.

reply to flavoredair
I bought a WRT54Gv2 a while back and had constant problems with it dropping the wireless connection. Figuring that it must be a hardware problem, I took it back and got another one (a v5). Big mistake. Now browsing is slow and downloading (even on a wired connection) takes forever. I am sick of this Linksys crap and I've bitten the bullet and ordered a Cisco.

reply to doug6949

reply to flavoredair
I had the WRT54G v5 and had similar issues. Getting download speeds of like 3kB/s (yes thats a k). Hunted around and found a WRT54GS v2.1 (CDG4 s/n). Which I promptly loaded DD-WRT v22r2 onto. Same site giving me 3kB/s now gives 70+kB/s, speed testing sites which were saying 1500 down, now say 8000+ down (comcast 8mb service). Trying this FTP download from optonline »ftp://ftp1.optonline.net/pub/test64 shows sustained speeds in the 600kB/s range now (unfortunately I forget what the crap speed was).

So yeah, the WRT54G v5 (CDFB) has something horribly wrong with it. Tried a couple tweaks to the MTU and no go. Cable modem is Moto SB5120.

reply to flavoredair
I have the same problem. Very slow about 1/3 my normal rate (not using the wireless at all here). I flashed the latest firmware (1.0.0.2) available from Linksys for the V5, but no help. I wondered why the unit was onsale at Circuit City for such a low price and no rebate needed. Anyone smell something bad here?

Thanks everyone for posting. I just bought a laptop and got the Linksys WRT54G router at the advice of the staples salesguy. It was horrible. My cable internet on my desktop was 1/2 its speed. After seeing all the posts, I realized there was a problem with linksys. I bought the Netgear WGR614 router and its awesome. My desktop internet speed is back to normal and my laptop is 100x's better to. I have it in an office in my garage which is all concrete and I thought that was slowing my download speed, but again, it was just the linksys router. If you use linksys, you know tech support is useless. I called them 3x's and wasted 30-40 mins each time. Netgear did have a problem too though. The install disc that was in the package was blank and the Tech support is from India I think. She was hard to understand but in about 30 mins, got me up and running and even made sure my laptop was working too. Again, everyone on here helped me so I thought I would let everyone know and hopefully help someone else. Have a great day.

reply to flavoredair
I'm experiencing the same problem with the WRT54G V5 and my Verizon DSL connection. Without the router, the speeds are as advertised, when I introduce the router the speed goes down to about 2-3x that of dial-up!! After spending about 3 hrs on the phone over various days with Linksys support (in the Philippines) I was finally able to get them to transfer me to a senior level tech in Irvine!!! I finally was able to talk with someone who knew more than what was in the manual and who also believed it was feasible that there was a bug in their product. We ran some speed tests and we reviewed this forum. He concluded it was a problem with the V5 and said he would discuss the problem with his engineers. In the meantime he arranged to have me sent the V4 model to resolve my issue.

Lessons learned here: 1. don't send in any rebates until you completely verify the product works (calling Linksys support is a punishment worse than a Nam Hotbox; and since you tore up the box to send in the rebate you must call them to have them send you a new box so you can then return it to the store); 2. Linksys support is only useful for those who have not already read through the manual; 3. The objective of the Linksys support staff is to make sure you NEVER reach Irvine and get the proper support you need; 4. The next time your Linksys router breaks and just go and buy a different brand.

I will post again if the V4 does not work (but according to this post it sounds like it will

I have a V2. and I have the exact same problem. I have it wired to my Desktop and also ran through wireless to do some testing. When I disable wireless and use speed test, I get 328 down, and when I disable the wired and use the wireless, I get 126 down. So the problem exists with all linksys routers.I use Charter 3Mb service and want to stay wireless. Any suggestions on a good router to buy? DOWN WITH LINKSYS!! LOL!