Steam Link Wireless via a Netgear N900 Router

[Popz Hennessy]

I've been trying to use steamlink wireless over my Netgear N900 dual band router. The quality is horendous, no matter what i do. I've moved the device to a better location with a clearer line of sight with the router, the distance is approximately 23 ft between the router and the steamlink; it was 34 ft, into the living room, with poor line of sight. I'm inclined to think the problem is that 802.11N routers are insufficient for HD streaming on steamlink. I've had no success with games like the Witcher 3.

Much of what i'm seeing online suggests that a high-end 802.11ac router is needed for smooth wireless streaming with the steamlink, with somewhere upwards of maybe 3Gbps; something like the Netgear Nighthawk X6 3200. Is anyone having satisfactory wireless performance with a N-level router? If so, share details.

Valve support: Is there a recommended type of router to use with steamlink wireless? I've done everything I can think of to improve streaming quality wireless, prioritized all steamlink ports via QoS settings on the router; again, moving the device closer with better line of sight; using the 5GHZ band exclusively; set the client setting to "Fast"; toggled packet decoding on and off; lowering the resolution to 720p (the tv is 1080p in the living room @34ft, 1080i in the bedroom @23ft.) The only thing left is to upgrade to a high end router, which I'll gladly do if that's were most people who have relatively smooth streaming are doing.

I appreciate the help of the Steam community and Valve support. *sigh* I'd really like to keep this thing.

Specs:

Core I3 2600k processor (overclocked 4.3 Ghz)
16gb memory
Windows 10 64 bit
AMD Radeon R9 290 (No crossfire)
144Hz VG248 monitor (Nvidia 3D Vision ready)

Thanks all!

[Davidoff]

Where is the PC located in this equation? Are you using WiFi for it as well? I would strongly recommend hardwiring at least one of the devices, preferably the PC if possible. If only for testing purposes.

What signal quality does the Link report?

[JimmyJames26]

No trouble with my netgear nighthawk. Wifi or wired...

[Popz Hennessy]

The PC is connected to the router via an ethernert cord. The steamlink is connected wifi.

[Popz Hennessy]

And the steam link signal is good, but not great. The 5GHz band is the band with the lesser range, of course, but the signal appears sufficient. Last night I changed the channel to 161 on the router for the 5GHz band. I'll try to get test in. Jimmy: what's the distance between your nighthawk and the steam link?

[JimmyJames26]

A whole floor! Lol. My links in the basement and my tv is in my bedroom upstairs. Works well at either 720-1080p

[Archangelrey]

Try another channel and try naming the Wifi 5g something different. I have issue with my at first when it keep log into my 2.4g band with the same name.