What's Wrong with My Net

cloudy on 07/01/2020 - 14:31

First time in a while 2 weeks ago I had a drop out that lasted 20 hours.

After that dropout, my ping spikes during the evening, before that it was always very stable. My ping is normal throughout the day.

After contacting my ISP and doing some test, connecting PC directly to NBN box (I'm on HFC) shows my ping is fine. But when I take the ethernet cable off and pop back on wifi I see the ping returns.

The tech suggested due to the fact its usually at night, it could be due to timed updates of sorts drawing on net (but I've since tested it with a single iPhone and ping still exist).

Any suggestions?

Internet

Comments

  • brendanm on 07/01/2020 - 14:34
    +2

    Sounds like your wifi router is the issue.

    • cloudy on 07/01/2020 - 14:50

      yea, the cable into NBN box = no ping seems to point to router being the issue. But I Can't understand the issue only happening in evenings.

      If I could grab a router from someone, is it hard to plug in and set up?

      • brendanm on 07/01/2020 - 14:51
        +5

        Quite possibly more people using wifi around you in the evenings, causing congestion on the frequency you are using. Are you using 2.4 or 5ghz? Tried changing channel on the router?

        • cloudy on 07/01/2020 - 15:00

          Only me and my wife, so there's no change in usage/devices connected. We also live in a box, so either band gets perfect connection.

          • HighAndDry on 07/01/2020 - 15:11

            @cloudy: Did you install any software that might be auto-downloading/updating/etc at night?

            Maybe one of you got a virus on a device that's doing that. Try disconnecting one device at a time from the wifi and see if that narrowed down which of the devices is the culprit.

            Other than that, maybe someone is stealing your wifi, check devices connected.

            • cloudy on 07/01/2020 - 15:30

              @HighAndDry: Already changed wifi password, no difference.

              And no install of any new software, plus speedtest confirms its on all devices, like ihpone, ipad, PC (when individually connected)

        • ESEMCE on 07/01/2020 - 15:23
          +6

          I reckon brendanm has it.

          Likely your router is broadcasting on a noisy channel (from surrounding neighbors routers) so your router is waiting it's turn to broadcast, introducing a longer ping.
          Things get worse at night cause more users are taking time on that broadcast channel, so your router is waiting even longer periods.

          Install a WiFi Scanner app to your iPhone and see which WiFi Band is the least noisy.
          Then change your router to broadcast on the quieter Band..

  • Melb69 on 07/01/2020 - 15:19
    +1

    Did tech advise to reset Modem?

    • cloudy on 07/01/2020 - 15:32

      yep, mnade no difference

  • aussie222 on 07/01/2020 - 15:37
    +1

    What sort of residence are you in (apartment/house/flat)? I suspect what might be happening is that your neighbour's wifi could be interfering with yours causing packets to be retransmitted -> leading to high ping spikes. What you cou try is switching to 5GHz because there's more bands to go around.

  • Porker on 07/01/2020 - 15:43
    +1

    What brand router is it? Update router firmware.

    I had lots of issue with one specific model of TP-link and would die monthly. I'd always update the firmware which would improve/repair things.

    My current model ASUS one has been without issue.

    • brendanm on 07/01/2020 - 16:08
      +1

      I also have issues with tp link, absolute trash

  • No Username on 07/01/2020 - 19:07

    By any chance are you with Optus? If so I've noticed that their free modem is garbage. I've been having the same issue and a quick fix is to just turn the switch on and off. There is a design flaw with their thermal management system.

  • cloudy on 07/01/2020 - 20:51

    Thanks for the suggestions, still no luck changing frequency, it’s 8ish and the ping spike has returned.

    I still think it’s somehow related to the dropout and/or the modem.

    Further, I’m on Exetel, and using their modem ZTE. Again, I’ll say, I’ve used both isp and modem for over a year without this issue, until the dropout and subsequent reconnection.

    • BigBirdy on 08/01/2020 - 08:51

      Did you use the wifi scanner during the time when you’re getting poor ping results, and did it show other wifi networks at that time using similar channels to yours? You may have a neighbour with a device only using a channel when, for example, they sit down and watch Netflix.

  • pjcook on 08/01/2020 - 08:30

    Try connecting directly to your router by cable to see if the issue persists, if all is OK then the issue is with your wireless network. Check for updates to the firmware on the modem, possibly an update caused the issue if it is up to date, if not load the latest firmware.

    • HighAndDry on 08/01/2020 - 11:32

      It's time dependent which really rules out most router issues other than possibly some weird QOS setting/config issue.

  • OzHunterNSW on 08/01/2020 - 09:56
    -1

    Come in the excuses… tell them you want it rectified or you will take your business elsewhere.

    • HighAndDry on 08/01/2020 - 11:31
      -1

      Wired net is fine, problem is only on wifi and time dependent. Means it's either a weird router issue, or an environment issue. Nothing to do with the ISP.

  • mattyman on 08/01/2020 - 11:18
    +1

    Try changing the WiFi channel in your router. You said the ping is fine when your ethernet is connected but is terrible when on WiFi. This points to two things. Either there are people trying to use the same WiFi channel as you or the WiFi part of your router is cactus.

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