With thanks to our friends at B4RN


In order to get WiFi to every room people in large houses have deployed extra boosters, and these do cause problems if not configured properly. Problems with buffering will probably be down to your own device, or your indoor WiFi network, not the F4RN connection.


This is how to check and fix it.

  1. Check the connection with another device, it may be that your computer or phone is overloaded.  If you are happy your own device is OK, move to the next step.
  2. Check that you are connected to your F4RN router and not another source (e.g. 3G or a repeater).
  3. Check that you are close enough to the access point you are connecting to (ie. within range).
  4. Try connecting to a different website, as the website you are trying to reach may be having issues.
  5. Check that you are not connected through a "VPN" (Some browsers such as Opera have a built in Virtual Private Network or  VPN - although these will protect your privacy they have a serious impact on the speed of your connection!)
  6. Connect your device with an Ethernet cable directly to the F4RN router. Once connected, test with that, and if it works OK on the cable, this will narrow down the problems to WiFi.

If you have done all these things and the connection is still faulty or slow, then the chances are the router may need to be rebooted. To do this you can either pull the power cord out of the router or turn it off at the plug. Make sure all the lights go out, then power it up again. This will usually correct any issues the F4RN router may be having. (make sure if you have any repeaters they are turned off first and turned back on last)


If you have decided your problems are with the WiFi:

  • If you have your own WiFi network using repeaters or other routers, issues may arise when you reboot or if there has been a power cut.
  • Please power down all devices including homeplugs and powerline adapters and let the F4RN router boot up before you turn them on again.
  • If you have repeaters, or another WiFi access point on the end of homeplugs or Ethernet, please turn them off before you reboot. This is very important.

If you suspect you have had a power cut, or if someone has unplugged the F4RN router, and left other WiFi parts of your network on, then please power down EVERYTHING and let the F4RN router finish booting up before you plug your network back in.


It is essential that the first device to wake up is your F4RN router, as this is your access to the internet. If the other devices boot up first they may try to take control of your network unless you have programmed them correctly. There are full instructions supplied with most of these devices, or you can Google the make and model and download them.


Problems after a power cut are often because the repeaters came online before the F4RN router was ready. Remember to reboot after a power cut with all your own WiFi network switched off. You could also invest in a battery backup to stop the F4RN router losing power.


Alternatively you can do this: “I solved the problem of an extender booting before the F4RN router after a power cut by plugging my extender into an RCD like the ones that you use for garden electric tools. When the power goes off it automatically trips and then prevents the extender coming back on before the F4RN router has rebooted.”


If you have tried everything else, there is one other thing to check on your WiFi repeaters - this the setting called DHCP. There is usually a tick box for this which should be left empty. If you feel unsure about doing this and don’t know anyone who can help then contact the F4RN helpdesk and we will try to help out.


It is as well to be aware of these problems and to try rebooting everything in order before contacting the F4RN help desk. The best way to contact the F4RN helpdesk is by email to support@f4rn.freshdesk.com or you can leave a message by phone on: 01636-857287


Please note, that the fastest connection will always be achieved by using an Ethernet cable; if you connect by any other means, WFii, home plugs or repeaters, etc, the connection will always be slower, but if they are set up properly they should always work.