Packet Loss When A Specific Computer Connects To the Network

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Shinkai

Reputable
May 7, 2014
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Hello,

I am experiencing a strange problem that has left me stumped. After getting a new ISP and a router, I tried to connect all the devices in my household and found that when one specific computer connects to the network, it causes packet loss and ping spikes across all computers connected through wifi.

I have hard wired the problematic computer to the router and it still causes the same problem. All other computers that are on wifi are slowed and packet loss is experienced.

However when connected the problematic computer to wifi but hardwired other devices, the hardwired devices have no problem at all.

I have also tried to connect various combination of devices to make sure it isn't because of the number of devices connected and still all signs point to the problem stemming from one specific computer. What could possibly be causing it?
 
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The only thing I can think that explains your situation is that the problem computer is completely saturating any network connection it establishes. If it connects via Ethernet (cable), it can completely saturate the router and screw things up for everyone (cabled or WiFi). If, however, it connects via WiFi it can only saturate the WiFi link (lower bandwidth than a direct cable) which means cabled computers still have capacity to communicate. Unless I've misunderstood, that matches your symptoms yes?

Assuming the offending computers is a windows device, check the networking tab on your task manager (when it's connected to the network) to see what the "network utilisation" rate is. Is it close to 100%?

Is it possible your...
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rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
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The only thing I can think that explains your situation is that the problem computer is completely saturating any network connection it establishes. If it connects via Ethernet (cable), it can completely saturate the router and screw things up for everyone (cabled or WiFi). If, however, it connects via WiFi it can only saturate the WiFi link (lower bandwidth than a direct cable) which means cabled computers still have capacity to communicate. Unless I've misunderstood, that matches your symptoms yes?

Assuming the offending computers is a windows device, check the networking tab on your task manager (when it's connected to the network) to see what the "network utilisation" rate is. Is it close to 100%?

Is it possible your computer has got malware?

A few things to try:
- reboot the offending computer and watch for when it starts to mess with the network (run a ping -t between two other (well behaved) devices). It should be immediately obvious when it's being affected. Does the problem occur only once the operating system has started loading (indicating a software problem) or as soon as the computer is switched on (in this case a hardware problem... much less likely).
- If it's a software problem, try booting into safe mode "with networking support", does that still cause problems? If it behaves fine in safe mode with networking, then the network drivers are fine, there's a software (likely malware?) problem. If it still breaks things under safe mode it could be drivers (or it could still be malware). Try updating the drivers, though that's unlikely to fix it given that you have problems both when connected via WiFi and Ethernet... they'll have different drivers.
- Can you just reinstall the operating system? That will almost certainly fix it. If that's a problem, try running CCleaner and one of those free online virus scans (choose a reputable company like this one: http://www.kaspersky.com/au/virus-scanner).
 
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