Bufferbloat is latency growth when a link is saturated. QoS or SQM may help only if the router can shape the real bottleneck rate.
Before you change anything
This is a diagnostic entry point. The source supports the general check, not a confirmed root cause for your device.
What to check first
How do wired and Wi-Fi tests compare at the same time and test location?
Record the exact model, hardware revision, firmware and recent change before adjusting settings. If you cannot answer the question, keep the cause open.
Narrow the likely path
| Observation | Next check |
|---|---|
| Wired path is also slow | Check WAN service, link negotiation and upstream equipment. |
| Only Wi-Fi is slow | Compare near-router radio performance with the problem room and mesh backhaul. |
| Latency rises under load | Measure upload/download load separately before changing QoS or SQM. |
Decision after the first test
Measure idle and loaded latency on a wired path first, then check whether the router offers a supported shaping feature.
Use a documented next step
Verify before escalating
After each change, repeat the exact failed task. If the result is unchanged, restore the previous setting and use the official support link for your exact hardware revision. Don’t assume a menu or capability from a related model.
Official sources
- OpenWrt Smart Queue Management and bufferbloat guidance (full_text; checked 2026-11-01)
Check your exact US model, hardware revision, and firmware on the linked support page before changing settings.