Technical advice

What sort of things can affect performance?

Is it slow Wi-Fi?

A number of things can affect speeds when connected via Wi-Fi, these include:

• Distance from the modem
• Too many devices connected at the same time
• Your surroundings
  • Brick or concrete walls
  • Iron girders
• Overlapping signals in high density dwellings, such as apartments, flats and units
• Interference from other electrical devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, security cameras, baby monitors, and Bluetooth can also interfere with Wi-Fi signals.

Possible fixes:

• Try and place your modem in a central location
• Keep your modem away from other electrical devices
• Consider a Wi-Fi extender
• Change your Wi-Fi channel

Is it too many devices?

Having a lot of devices connected to your home network can affect its performance, especially when streaming video at the same time, or performing other data intensive tasks, these devices include: 

• Tablets
• Mobile phones
• Gaming consoles
• Smart TV's
• Set-top boxes

Possible fixes:

• Ensure that devices are disconnected when not in use
• Ensure that your devices are up to date, older devices can run slowly even on a fast connection

What's running in the background?

A background application is often run automatically, they can use up a lot of your speed, without you knowing it.

Some background applications include: 

• Computer, Tablet or Phone updates
• Cloud storage services
• Automatic gaming updates
• Other data intensive programs that may be in use, such as file sharing

Possible fixes:

• Set a bandwidth limit for updates or file sharing
• Schedule updates later or earlier in the day

Is my Wi-Fi secure?

Did you know that modems can send Wi-Fi signals up to 30 meters away?

If you are unsure:

• Keep you Wi-Fi password secure and change it regularly
• Hide your SSID

If you are still experiencing speed issues, please follow this troubleshooting guide.

Optimising your Wi-Fi:

Set-up

Your Wi-Fi modem should be placed in a central location, clear of obstructions and away from other electrical devices that may cause interference.

Wi-Fi can be sensitive to its environment. If your connection seems slow or unreliable, one or more of the following factors might be the cause:

1. Distance from the Modem

   • The farther you are from your modem/router, the weaker the signal. Walls, floors, and furniture in between can make it worse.

      

2. Too Many Devices Connected
   • Your Wi-Fi can slow down if too many devices are using it at the same time - like phones, laptops, smart TVs, and smart home gadgets. It’s like a highway: the more traffic, the slower everything moves.
   • If your modem supports band steering, it tries to automatically manage devices between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. But sometimes, turning this off can help. This way, you can manually choose which band each device uses:
     • Gaming consoles (like PS5 or Xbox) work best on 5 GHz for faster speeds.
     • Devices like baby monitors or smart plugs are fine on 2.4 GHz, which has better range.
   • Separating the bands gives you more control and can help your Wi-Fi run more smoothly.

1. Your Surroundings

   • Your home’s layout and materials can impact signal strength. Open spaces are better than tight, enclosed areas.

      

2. Brick or Concrete Walls

   • Thick walls made of brick, concrete, or stone can block or weaken Wi-Fi signals significantly.

      

3. Reflective Surfaces

   • Mirrors, metal appliances, and even glass can reflect Wi-Fi signals, causing interference or dead zones.

      

4. Wet Walls

   • Moisture in walls (like in bathrooms or laundry areas) can absorb Wi-Fi signals, reducing their reach.

      

5. Overlapping Signals in Apartments or Units

   • In high-density buildings, your Wi-Fi may compete with your neighbours’ networks, especially if everyone’s using the same channel.

      

6. Interference from Other Devices

   • Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, Bluetooth speakers, and even some security cameras can interfere with Wi-Fi, especially on the 2.4 GHz band. If you suffer from low-quality signals and are unable to change the modem position, you can try using a Wi-Fi extender to boost the range of your modem’s Wi-Fi signal or change the Wi-Fi channel on your modem.

      

7. Consider a Mesh Wi-Fi System
   • If your home has multiple rooms, thick walls, or Wi-Fi dead zones, a mesh Wi-Fi system can help. Mesh devices work together to create a seamless network across your home, automatically connecting you to the strongest signal as you move around. They’re ideal for larger homes or apartments with tricky layouts where a single modem can’t reach every corner.

Securing your Wi-Fi:

To keep your Wi-Fi safe and secure, its best practice to use a password:

• Use a mix of lower and uppercase letters plus numbers and punctuation and change it regularly

For extra security, refer to your modem instructions to hide your SSID.

Is it too many devices?

The number of connected devices to your home Wi-Fi can affect its performance, especially when those devices are streaming videos or connected to online games.

If you are experiencing performance issues, try disconnecting devices when not in use to see if it improves.

Also make sure that your device software is up to date, older versions can cause devices to run slowly even on a fast connection.

Related

How do I disable Band Steering on a Dodo TP-Link VX420 modem?

Most modern modems transmit internet data to your Wi-Fi devices on either 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies.

In most cases you have the option to select one of these frequencies to connect your device.

By default, Dodo supplied modems use a feature called Band Steering.

Band Steering is a single connection that automatically connects to either 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies, ensuring you get optimal performance for each device.

Alternatively, if you Disable Band Steering this will allow you to manually choose between either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency options. 

Single connections like the one shown below, will most likely have Band Steering enabled.

Should I use 2.4GHz or 5GHz?

There are a few factors to consider, but ultimately it comes down to is the range and speed you require.

2.4GHz frequency

Covers a larger area and easily passes through walls and floors, however it is slower and more prone to interference. 2.4GHZ is an ideal option for mobile devices that move between rooms or are far from the modem.

Also please note some devices only work on 2.4GHz.

5GHz frequency

Is faster and has less interference but covers a smaller area and doesn't pass through walls well. 5GHz is better for devices like TVs, game consoles, set-top boxes, and video calls on a computer.

Please note some devices may not work on 5GHz*.

*Certain devices may not support 5GHz. Please check your user manual if you are having difficulty.

†If your modem supports the 802.11ac standard it may offer coverage similar to 2.4GHz depending on your modem location and home layout. Please check your devices for compatibility.

Related

What should I do if my internet service is slow?

How do I make the most of my home Wi-Fi?

How do I disable Band Steering on a Dodo TP-Link VX420 modem?

How do I fix Wi-Fi issues?

What is an AVC ID?

The AVC ID is an NBN assigned identifier for your internet service. Your AVC ID will be required to transfer your NBN service to another provider.

Where can I find my AVC ID?

You can find your AVC ID on the NBN service page in your MyDodo Account.

1. Log in to MyDodo.
2. Select your NBN service from the My services tab.
3. Click the "CLICK TO VIEW" button to retrieve your AVC ID.

Still need help? Our Live Chat agents can also assist you with retrieving your AVC ID.

Network congestion

Network congestion occurs when many customers are using the services at the same time and the network can’t manage the demand.

This is especially common in the evening (peak time) when the largest proportion of customers are using the internet and it becomes congested

Local congestion

Local congestion is caused by high traffic within your own home network.

This means too many devices are connected, using your internet at the same time and clogging up your bandwidth.

Maybe you are watching a video, downloading a large file, and the kids are on YouTube, all at the same time?

This can slow things down.

What sort of things can cause drop-outs?

Is it your Wi-Fi?

A poor quality signal can cause a device to disconnect and search for a stronger signal, some causes can include:

• Distance from the modem
• Your surroundings
  • Brick or concrete walls
  • Iron girders
• Overlapping signals in high density dwellings, such as apartments, flats and units
• Interference from other electrical devices such as:
  • Microwave ovens
  • Cordless phones
  • Security cameras
  • Baby monitors
  • Bluetooth devices

Possible fixes:

• Try and place your modem in a central location
• Place your modem in the open and high up
• Keep your modem away from other electrical devices
• Consider a Wi-Fi extender
• Change your Wi-Fi channel

Is it your modem?

Your modem needs an uninterrupted connection to the network.

When it keeps disconnecting, this is what we call a drop-out.

What would disconnect my modem from the network?

• Bad internal wiring
• A faulty modem
• An equipment fault
• A network fault

Possible fixes:

• Isolation testing can help you to identify and isolate any faulty equipment, which can restore your connection
• Keep your devices up to date with regular firmware updates
• Check your cables for wear and tear

If you are still experiencing connection issues, please follow this troubleshooting guide. 

Isolation testing

What is an Isolation Test?

Your internet connection can be affected by faulty equipment connected to your network, this may cause the service to slow down or not work at all.

An Isolation Test can restore connectivity by removing any device that may be interrupting your connection.

How do an Isolation Test?

1. Performing an Isolation Test is easy, firstly remove all of the devices, including but not limited to:

• All telephone handsets
• Splitters or Filters
• Telephone extension leads
• Fax Machine
• Answering Machine
• Back to Base Alarm (remove only if it can be done safely)
• Smart TV's
• Foxtel or other Set-Top Box

2. Only your modem (and nbn™ connection box if you have one) should remain connected.

3. Power cycle (turn off for 10 seconds) your modem (and nbn™ connection box if you have one).

4. Wait 10 minutes, then check your modem lights, if your network has been restored you should see the below lights.

If the Isolation Test has restored your service, you can start reconnecting your devices one at a time. If connecting a device affects your service, it may have a fault.

Get further help

If you have tried the above and are still experiencing issues, you can chat a member of our technical support team here.

Power Cycling your hardware simply means turning off your equipment, for a short period of time, and turning it back on again.

This performs a "reboot" and can resolve basic connection issues, and it's really easy to do!

1. Turn off modem (and nbn™ connection box if you have one), and any connected device for 10 seconds.

2. Turn your equipment back on again.

3. Allow up to up 10 minutes for your hardware to reconnect to the network.

If Power Cycling your hardware did not fix your issue, and you have exhausted all other troubleshooting steps, you can contact us here for technical assistance.

To disable Band Steering on a TP-Link VX420 modem, follow these steps:

1. Log into the router’s web interface:
   • Open a browser and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1
   • Enter your modems username and password (usually printed on the back of the router unless you've changed them).
2. Navigate to the Wireless Settings:
   • Go to Basic > Wireless.
3. Disable Band Steering:
   • Look for a setting labelled Band Steering, Smart Connect, or similar.
4. Uncheck or toggle off the Band Steering option.
5. Customize SSIDs (optional but recommended):
   • After disabling Band Steering, the router may automatically add a _5G suffix to the 5GHz network name.
   • You can rename the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks to make them clearly distinguishable (e.g., HomeWiFi_2.4 and HomeWiFi_5G).
6. Save your changes and restart the router if prompted.

This will allow you to manually choose which band each device connects to, which is especially helpful for smart home devices that only support 2.4GHz 
 

Understanding Wi-Fi Standards:

If you’ve ever wondered what those Wi-Fi numbers mean, like Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 6, or the new Wi-Fi 7, you’re not alone! These numbers refer to different generations of Wi-Fi technology, and each one brings improvements in speed, reliability, and how many devices it can support.

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand the differences:

Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)

• Released: 2009
• Theoretical Max Speed: 100 - 150 Mbps
• Practical Speed: 30 to 80 Mbps  
• Best for: Basic internet use like browsing, emails, and streaming in standard definition
• Frequency Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• Released: 2014
• Theoretical Max Speed: 200 - 500 Mbps
• Practical Speed: 100 to 300 Mbps  
• Best for: HD streaming, online gaming, and video calls
• Frequency Bands: 5 GHz only (faster, less interference)

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

• Released: 2019
• Theoretical Max Speed: 600 Mbps – 900 Mbps
• Practical Speed: 300 to 600 Mbps  
• Best for: Smart homes, 4K streaming, and busy multi-device households
• Frequency Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)

• Released: 2024
• Theoretical Max Speed: 2 – 5 Gbps
• Practical Speed: 1 – 3 Gbps
• Best for: Ultra-fast internet, AR/VR, 8K streaming, and future tech
• Frequency Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz

Which One Do You Need?

Wi-Fi 4 or 5: Good for basic use or older devices

Wi-Fi 6: Great for modern homes with lots of devices

Wi-Fi 7: Future-proofing your setup for ultra-fast internet and smart tech

Current dodo modems utilise the Wi-Fi 6 standard, please contact us here if you’d like to purchase a dodo modem.
 

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a technique used to allow multiple devices in a home or office to share a single internet connection.

When you sign up for internet service, the service includes a unique public IP address that identifies your internet connection.

However, if you have multiple devices (like computers, phones, or smart TVs) connected to your internet, each device needs its own IP address to communicate with the internet.

This is where NAT comes in. Your router assigns each device connected to it a unique private IP address. When one of those devices wants to access the internet, the router uses NAT to translate its private IP address into your public IP address, so the device can communicate with the internet.

Carrier-grade NAT (CG NAT) is a technology that addresses the shortage of available public IP addresses. It allows multiple devices (Routers & Modems) to share a single public IP address by assigning them private IP addresses.

The CG NAT device then translates the private IP addresses to the public IP address when communicating with the internet.

This allows us to provide internet connectivity to a larger number of customers without requiring additional public IP addresses.

From April 2023, all new dodo internet services will use CG NAT. Most customers will not experience any change in the way their service works, however if you are experiencing issues, please raise a case via MyDodo to discuss your options with our Customer Service team.

If you have purchased a static IP address, your service will continue to have a consistent external IP address and will not be affected by the CG NAT rollout.

Related

What is a Static IP?

If you believe CG NAT is affecting any of the below applications or devices you use on your internet service, you can discuss your options with our Customer Service team here.

• Security cameras and systems
• Remote access to computers or devices
• Locally hosted servers; E.g. Web servers or file servers

They will be able to opt you out of the CG NAT by providing a unique public IP address which will change over time (Dynamic IP Address).

Alternatively, purchasing a static IP address will opt you out of CG NAT by default and we will provide you a fixed public address assigned to your service.

A static IP address costs $5 per month.

Related

What is a Static IP?

A static IP address is a fixed public address assigned to your service. The IP address will remain the same as long as you keep the feature on your account.

Static IP addresses are commonly used in situations where it is important to have a consistent address, such as for a mail server or web servers.

We offer static IP addresses as an optional add on to our Internet services for $5 per month.

You can discuss this with our Customer Service team here.

No, your service will not be affected by CG NAT if you have chosen to purchase a Static IP address.