Ask HN: How to Fix Unstable and Slow wifi on Linux Mint?
Hi there. I have a pretty old HP laptop which is running Linux Mint currently. When joining the home wifi network is quite slow. I went through similar issues on some random linux (also mint) forums and tried everything. It got a bit better after disabling features like PowerManagement and Ipv6. However, still I cannot get more than 15 download speed while from the same distance my other device shows 60-70.
Question: As a last shoot I decided to either upgrade physical network interface card or easier to buy a usb wifi network adapter and use it. Do you guys thing it would help me to solve issue ? Buying physical network interface card might be tricky as I am not sure which spec should be to "fit". Thanks.
Note: Os kernel is up to date, no solution there.
To be clear just on linux? How old is "pretty old"? Are you connecting to 2.4ghz or 5ghz?
A USB is probably better, but maybe try something from a physical store so you can return it if no luck. Try getting something with an antenna, and try to stick to 2.4ghz if continuing to have issues 5 is flakier.
(Also be sure the channel you're on isn't polluted with many other networks on the same one, this can clear up issues.)
If the physical WiFi card can be replaced with one with a well supported chipset, I would go that route. I would first confirm that the one you have is poorly supported, which seems likely.
Run a cable, if it's a pretty old laptop, it probably sits in one place cause the battery will go from 100% to 90% in a couple minutes, and then poop out before it hits 80%.