Insanely unstable internet speed

Kaimukas357

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Aug 29, 2016
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4,510
Hello.

Recently I've started having problems with my internet, but yesterday I came to realize, internet might not be the problem.

Basically, my stats on speedtest are 20 ping, 12Mbps down and 1Mbps up. I'm very happy with this, because before, I lived with 5mpbs download speed, so this is fast for me, and I never had any problems, until recently.

Since a few weeks ago, my internet speed started acting unstable, in the evenings, when everyone is connected, the statistics on speedtest would look like a roller coaster. I didn't think much of it, thinking it was because of my family connected. Now that they are gone on holiday, it has actually gotten worse.

What happened 2 times a week, hasn't stopped happening since friday (2 days ago). I'm using wireless connection, if I had to use cable, I'd have to sit in the hallway, so I have never used it.
But the strange thing that I noticed yesterday, it happens only when I play my game. I play League of Legends, so the ping plays an important role, and normally it would be 58 ping, but now it jumps from 58 to 300 10 times every minute, like this every single match.

If I test my speedtest.net while ingame, it looks like a roller coaster, the second I'm done, the internet speed is a very stable 12Mbps. It's really strange, because I never had this problem before, and nothing has changed.

What I've done so far:
Called my ISP to see if they see any problems, they said everything is like before, no problems on their side
Restarted my router, let it be plugged out for a bit (Someone suggested)
Cleaned my computer for junk
Scanned my computer for viruses (Found nothing)
Tried to re-install the game
Checked if my Windows 10 have updated any network drivers in the past weeks, it hasn't

I don't know what to do anymore, so I'm hoping anyone from here can help me out
 
Solution
i think thats all you can do for now. One thing you can ask your ISP is about line contention ratio. Fortunately for me, I've a 1:1 ratio, so no one else shares (some ISP's have a contention ratio of up to 16:1) If you have a shared contention, the usage of others will impact your performance. Sucks I know.
have you tried using the cable into the router! thats the first port of call. If you speeds are as expected whilst with a wired connection, well then you know it's most lilkely the wireless module on the router thats the problem. You should not judge your connection on the wireless speeds. I have a 70mb down/20mb up connection. I never get those speeds wirelessly. Whilst wired though, it's pretty close.

You could also perhaps have someone 'piggy backing' on your connection, so Id change the wireless password as a precaution. Report back.
 

Kaimukas357

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Aug 29, 2016
12
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4,510


Hey, thank you for your response. I just connected with my cable and did the speedtest, unfortunately, I couldn't play a match of the game in which the lags start, because it's in the middle of the hallway.

Wired speedtest:
Wired.png


Wireless speedtest:
Wireless.png


It looks like wired was more unstable, and it had 10Mbps down on average, where as wireless had 12, but as you said, I shouldn't be too concerned about it.

Yesterday I was logged in to my router, and made sure I was the only one connected to the network
 
hmm, is it from a phone line -hard-line or is it some kind of wireless box with no hard-line connection? If the same were happneing to me, I'd be onto my ISP. Get them to troubleshoot it. If they say its okay on their end, then it can be the hardware closer to home. By that, I mean the phone line connection. There may be a fault on your phone line which is impacting the speeds. Your ISP can't simply wash their hands of you because 'on their' end its okay. Next step should be for an engineer to check your hardline at a cabinet (which would be local ) and check the integrity of the line right up to your doorstep.


 

Kaimukas357

Reputable
Aug 29, 2016
12
0
4,510


I think it's a phone line. I connect my router to this outlet in the wall. My ISP said they'll get their technicians to work on it tomorrow. Right now, the internet behaves normally, so I'm hoping it will go away as randomly as it came.

Any other suggestions are still welcome

 
i think thats all you can do for now. One thing you can ask your ISP is about line contention ratio. Fortunately for me, I've a 1:1 ratio, so no one else shares (some ISP's have a contention ratio of up to 16:1) If you have a shared contention, the usage of others will impact your performance. Sucks I know.
 
Solution
you could also check your Router providers website for firmware upgrades. I wouldn't necessarily do a firmware upgrade if everything was okay (even if a new firmware was available - after all, don't fix what ain't broke :) ) But given you are having issues, its something else to consider.