Computers & Tablets

[leilamarie]

Hi, I had a few questions about my desktop computer that I got just yesterday.

I've set it all up but have noticed, in order for my computer to be connected to internet, my phone (I use my mobile hotspot) has to sit right on top of it. and even then, i get only one or two "bars" of wifi on my computer. Note: I live out in back country roads but not too far from the city but our street doesn't have wifi availible to us so we use either our phone hotspots or a verizon mifi. Having an ethernet cable, I think, wouldn't even be a possible option for me.

Is that a common thing? Is there something else that i should buy to make wifi connection work? Should I schedule an appointment with bestbuy and have them take a look at it in person?

This is the computer I bought : 

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ibuypower-gaming-desktop-intel-core-i7-9700f-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce...

[bobberuchi]

Most likely the bottleneck is somewhere between Verizon and your hot spot. From your phone do a search for Speed Test with just data turned on Take a reading from where your computer is and then go out side and try it. As a base line my phone gets 60.4 Mbbs Download on Verizon Data on 4g When I switch off data and run it on my wi-fi connection on my phone I get 113.5 Mbbs Your phone and or your carrier may limit your data stream via hot spot, especially if you do not have unlimited Verizon may limit hot spot but I don't think it is a setting on the phone but with your account. I don't see a limit setting on my iPhone. Other than Low Data mode I have tried using personal hot spot to connect my iPad when I am away from home and the connection speed is not terribly fast I would suggest contacting your local phone company and seeing if you can possibly get DSL out where you live. My parents lived 7 miles from town and they were able to get DSL at their house.

[leilamarie]

Hi, thanks for the suggestion!

I totally get that my internet connection is slow but I'm just not sure why my computer is struggling to stay connected to my phone when I take my phone even just a few steps away. My issue is more of a distance thing of where I've got my phone connected to my computer but as soon as I move my phone off of the top of my desktop, it looses connection and there fore I've gotta put my phone back on top and reconnect my computer to it. 

[bobberuchi]

Can you go to a friends house and try to connect their computer to your phone hot spot?

[Austin-BBY Social Media Specialist]

It's strange to hear that your computer is disconnecting from the hotspot so rapidly! That said, it would be difficult to troubleshoot this without more information. Do other devices rapidly disconnect from your hotspot? Would you have a different internet you could connect to your PC to see if it disconnects as well? 

[leilamarie]

@ bobberuchi,
yesterday i went to my friends house and it was the same, i used her actual AT&T wifi and still had to have my computer right next to the router

@ austin-BBY
no other devices do this, just my BRAND NEW pc. my laptop has no problem connecting and stays connected when i leave my room or just bring it to the other side of my room. and read the above reply! i just don’t know why it’s doing this! i think i will bring it into best buy for a look in person.

[Austin-BBY Social Media Specialist]

leilamarie,

Thanks for confirming that! We're glad to hear that you were able to go through those troubleshooting steps. 

It does sound like the best choice may be to visit your local Best Buy store. As you mentioned that you just got this PC on Sunday, you should still be well within your Return & Exchange Promise if an exchange is needed. Otherwise, you can schedule an appointment to meet with a Geek Squad Agent who can examine your PC closer. 

[bobberuchi]

Was your model supposed to come with Wi-Fi antennas?

Have you tried re-installing the drivers for the wi-fi 

[AnthonyDiTano]

This is common, its because the wifi antenaa is right on the motherboard, if you plug your phone into the computer using your charger, the computer can get the connection straight thru the cord