Sky Q mini not being utilised when performing WiFi tests

Ubersmiter

Hi, forgive me if this question has been asked before, but I cannot see anything on here. Just bought my Fing box a couple of days ago. On the whole I am getting on ok with config options, but I cant get the Fingbox to allow my Sky Q mini boxes as a reference point for my WiFi signal, which means the readings I get are totally inaccurate. When using the Fingbox app it only appears to see only my main router as a WiFi access point and ignores my mini boxes which are all pumping out 2.4 and 5ghz signals. Is there a way I can fix this? Since i have the latest Fingbox, I presume it can test on both bands? Just to confirm, all my equipment is sky and broadband on all boxes is on, so they are working and the signals from devices in the areas where the sky q minis are located appear strong when checked via basic WiFi techniques. I’m trying to get to bottom of a WiFi dropout issue, which is why i bought the Fingbox. I has already highlighted some possibility of channels clashing with neighbours, which I have now updated, but would be good to get true readings from the Fing WiFi checker

Robin_Ex_Fing

Thanks for the post @Ubersmiter. Let's see if our most active members are able to advise anything on this one. Any advice @rooted @kltaylor @Marc @Scooby @John @Hronos @Pixelpopper

[Deleted User]

Hi @Ubersmiter I’m not completely sure how you are trying to set up your system. However, the mini boxes act as local wi-if nodes so are likely to require you to be in close proximity to enable you to test their individual speeds. The individual nodes will all work through your router so any Wi-fi speed test will be testing speed from the individual node to router. I don’t think you are likely to be able to prove drop out issues in this way unless you are having problems with a specific node.
You were looking in the right area checking “Clashing channels” but the channel situation is very fluid, that is, many modern routers auto-hunt for the best, least busy, channels and switch to them automatically so your last channel check/change may no longer be optimised. 

Radio interference from nearby domestic appliances are often the cause of drop outs and can’t be ignored.
Inssider (For Windows) gives a great pictorial view of channel congestion and may save you time. You can check out other scanners here (https://www.thewindowsclub.com/wifi-network-scanner-tool-for-windows-10) but initially a check of appliances running (or switching on/off) when you experience dropouts is worth looking at but can a pain to resolve.

Ubersmiter

Many thanks for the advice. Miraculously something has changed and I am now getting consistent readings from my mini boxes. Not sure why though? However I do have a theory that because I have an awful lot of devices using WiFi, this may be having an impact. What I have done is bought an additional access point and connected it to my router via a power line adapter. Then I have reconfigured my network devices so that all my home automation devices (plugs sockets and lights) now connect to the access point, while all my normal devices like media players, phones,cameras, tv’s etc.. connect direct to the router. This now means that all my home automation goes to my router via a single point. Since doing this, things have certainly improved with very few dropouts. So I draw the conclusion that when I had 60+ WiFi devices all connected direct to my router it could not cope and randomly kicked some off? Not sure if this theory stacks up as my home automation devices would be using minimal bandwidth, but it seems to be working ok just now.

Ubersmiter

As for the sky mini boxes not being picked up, I think they are a law to themselves working in a sky mesh that is not always as reliable as it should be. The fact that the actual sky boxes were dropping tells me something was not quite right as they should all be talking to the main box. Anyway, hopefully my prop ken is solved, will let you know if anything changes.

[Deleted User]

@Ubersmiter excellent work, at this rate you’ll be a network specialist 😉 it can be really difficult to make progress on dropouts but experiments usually pay off.