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Internet keeps dropping. Lots of network traffic. Help...

I have an Xfinity 600mbps plan (just upgraded from a 300mbps plan), I have an Arris surfboard 6183 modem capable of around 600mbps. And have an Asus RT 1900AC router. Everything on the network is connected wirelessly.

Now, this is a busy place. I may have up to 6 simultaneous games going and like 20-25 total things going at once on my network. That's game consoles, video conferencing, smart TVs/tablets running Netflix, computers on Youtube...a lot of traffic at one time.

The issue is once I get to around 4 games going or a couple tablets and video conferences, the internet will start dropping sporadically. I cannot have this, and need that much traffic going. So what is the most likely bottleneck here??

I just replaced the modem and upgraded the internet service plan as I said. They were both 300mbps and now both are 600mbps. This did not help.

So is it the plan/modem still? Do I need a 1gbps plan and a 1gbps modem?? Do I need a new router (currently Asus AC 1900)? Do I need a new line in or to my house?
 
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nush

Member
Now, this is a busy place. I may have up to 6 simultaneous games going and like 20-25 total things going at once on my network. That's game consoles, video conferencing, smart TVs/tablets running Netflix, computers on Youtube...a lot of traffic at one time.

You know the answer. Upgrade everything, you're a heavy user.
 
D

Deleted member 801069

Unconfirmed Member
so you have over 30 devices doing shit on your network?

I have 200mb and literally a max of 3 devices on my network at a time, one of which is doing light browsing only

I would upgrade your internet
 
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so you have over 30 devices doing shit on your network?

I have 200mb and literally a max of 3 devices on my network at a time, one of which is doing light browsing only

I would upgrade your internet
20-25 total devices connected to the network. Not all actively being used, though half of them could be at one time. That includes every gadget in the house from smart TVs(5 total), game consoles (6 total), computers(4), and tablets(3) along with 2 cell phones. That doesn't mean each is actively being used at one time, though there may be like I said half of them in active use during the day.
 
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Kenpachii

Member
Dude has 600 mbps internet. even if he used 25mbps for 25 devices he sits at 625 mbps. Which is practically never going to happen. Gaming barely cost you internet speed. Internet browsing same thing etc.

It could be however that your consoles or PC starts to update and slams the full bandwidth and make everything else lag as result, basically try to limit the speed on those devices to solve this.

Other then that, u can cable as much as u can for stable connections. Buy a 1gbps switch plug it into that router so u don't have to deal with the onboard switch which are mostly dog shit. Also make sure u got 1 gbps cables ( preferable 10gbps if you put new cables in your house because once u cable u don't have to upgrade it for a while ).

Check if your network even runs at 1gbps or whatever u got, could be its limited ( the switch in the router) to 100mbps or your cables that limit it.

Keep your mobile products on wifi tho.
 
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I dont know if this helps anything but when I run a speed test on my wireless laptop (which is on a different floor from the router) I still get 200Mbps download and 22Mbps upload speed. So that (to me at least) seems fine. It's when there's multiple games and videos. Like it's not being routed properly to supply each device. Is that the router I imagine then?

I guess I'm just going to get a better one and hope that is the issue. I wouldn't think an Asus RT66 1900AC router would be an issue...but maybe? If that still doesn't work then I'll upgrade AGAIN to a 1Gbps modem and internet plan. Who needs money anyway?

Edit: Maybe interesting is that if I check my list of connected devices, my Samsung KS8000 TV is often near the top of the list for the Tx and Rx rates. What is my smart TV doing in the background? Maybe it's playing a part in sucking up all the damn internet. I'm not too sure exactly what those numbers mean, but the Tx (transmit) rate is 866Mbps and the Rx (receive) rate is 585, which is about the most of anything on my network.
 
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Grinchy

Banned
Cheap routers don't do well with lots of connected devices in my experience. Doesn't really matter what your speeds are, the router itself just overloads trying to service that many devices.

You're going to want one of those $200+ ones.
 

eddie4

Genuinely Generous
Do you live in a house or an apartment? Are there other wireless networks around you? If so. Grab a WiFI network scanner/analyzer from the app store. Run and scan the networks around you.
Look at the wireless channels. Change your wireless channel to the one that is not being used in the area.

I had the same problem. Drops, disconnects when there's a lot of things going on, but the fact that the wireless was on the default channel 6 at the time, everyone, including my neighbors wifi was on 6, and it created a ton of interference. I have 10-15 devices on at once, on an $80 Netgear router, works fine since I made the change. People just plug shit in and expect it to work.

Scan the wireless networks, change the default channels for both bands (2.4 & 5Ghz), and see what happens.
 
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Do you live in a house or an apartment? Are there other wireless networks around you? If so. Grab a WiFI network scanner/analyzer from the app store. Run and scan the networks around you.
Look at the wireless channels. Change your wireless channel to the one that is not being used in the area.

I had the same problem. Drops, disconnects when there's a lot of things going on, but the fact that the wireless was on the default channel 6 at the time, everyone, including my neighbors wifi was on 6, and it created a ton of interference. I have 10-15 devices on at once, on an $80 Netgear router, works fine since I made the change. People just plug shit in and expect it to work.

Scan the wireless networks, change the default channels for both bands (2.4 & 5Ghz), and see what happens.
I did do that at one point when I think about it, but that was at least a couple of years ago. I'll have to check it again. Do you know of any good apps or programs that can scan it?
 
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eddie4

Genuinely Generous
I did do that at one point when I think about it, but that was at least a couple of years ago. I'll have to check it again. Do you know of any good app or program that can scan it?


This should do the trick unless you're on an iPhone.

One of the features I like is the best channel recommendation for wireless networks.
M3ZTeJuel5c73bQvXACWwKAZC2M1gxrsl9Fs28r9mhRdToeT3ZfHAiAFzbAahnYw5A=w1920-h937-rw
 

This should do the trick unless you're on an iPhone.

One of the features I like is the best channel recommendation for wireless networks.
M3ZTeJuel5c73bQvXACWwKAZC2M1gxrsl9Fs28r9mhRdToeT3ZfHAiAFzbAahnYw5A=w1920-h937-rw
Going to try this now, thanks.

Edit: my router has an auto channel mode and the 5ghz at least seemed to already be on one of the recommended channels. I switched the 2.4ghz channel, but someone said that it became laggy so switched the router channel setting back to auto for that.
 
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.hacked

Member
I have xfinity Gigabit and a Nighthawk AX8 and with 31 devices connected I still get slow speeds where my Roku will drop resolution. I think I will have to hard wire everything it I want eliminate it.
 

eddie4

Genuinely Generous
Going to try this now, thanks.

Edit: my router has an auto channel mode and the 5ghz at least seemed to already be on one of the recommended channels. I switched the 2.4ghz channel, but someone said that it became laggy so switched the router channel setting back to auto for that.

After the change in the channel, I assume the router rebooted?
 
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Shambala

Member
Grab a Netgear CM1100 and a new Wi-Fi 6 router and it will solve all your issues. It’s gonna set you back like $400-$550 though..
 
I went in my router and labelled everything so I know what's on and going at any given time and again my KS8000 TV is the only one that just seems crazy to me. 866Mbps Tx and 585Mbps Rx and it's just constantly nearly that high, even though it's not actively being used. It's just powered on. I'm going to disable the wi-fi on that and see if it helps. It has a Roku stick hooked up to it anyway.

After the change in the channel, I assume the router rebooted?
Yep.
Yeah my house unfortunately isn't wired throughout. There's just one connection in a corner room of the basement. It's a small house (900sq feet or so) so normally coverage is fine throughout.
 
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MilkyJoe

Member
I have an Xfinity 600mbps plan (just upgraded from a 300mbps plan), I have an Arris surfboard 6183 modem capable of around 600mbps. And have an Asus RT 1900AC router. Everything on the network is connected wirelessly.

Now, this is a busy place. I may have up to 6 simultaneous games going and like 20-25 total things going at once on my network. That's game consoles, video conferencing, smart TVs/tablets running Netflix, computers on Youtube...a lot of traffic at one time.

The issue is once I get to around 4 games going or a couple tablets and video conferences, the internet will start dropping sporadically. I cannot have this, and need that much traffic going. So what is the most likely bottleneck here??

I just replaced the modem and upgraded the internet service plan as I said. They were both 300mbps and now both are 600mbps. This did not help.

So is it the plan/modem still? Do I need a 1gbps plan and a 1gbps modem?? Do I need a new router (currently Asus AC 1900)? Do I need a new line in or to my house?

Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?
 
If you aren't using 1, 6, or 11.... you are a bad person and I will find you and personally slap you with a freshly caught trout
I think for me it said channel 11 was no good. channels 3 and 4 were best. It will be different depending on where you're at right?

Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?
Yes, unless you mean the TV. The TV gets no second chances. It's just going to be disabled.
 
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Mihos

Gold Member
3 and 4 will get interference with any hotspots in range using 1 or 6 making it suck for everyone. 1 6 and 11 are the only 3 channels that don't overlap in frequency. It is totally fine to have multiple hotspots on the same channel.
 

Shouta

Member
It could also be that your Router needs a reboot or to cool down if it's supposed to be handle everything on the specs end and the settings are good. Routers undedr those circumstances will sometimes drop connections.
 
3 and 4 will get interference with any hotspots in range using 1 or 6 making it suck for everyone. 1 6 and 11 are the only 3 channels that don't overlap in frequency. It is totally fine to have multiple hotspots on the same channel.
I'm not sure I know what the hell that means but I'll try channels 1 or 6 then. That's just for the 2.4ghz correct? The 5ghz was telling me channels like 157 and other higher channels were best.

To be specific when I check my router my 2.4ghz is currently on channel 10 and my 5ghz is channel 153. The router is auto selecting the channels.
 
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Mihos

Gold Member
I'm not sure I know what the hell that means but I'll try channels 1 or 6 then. That's just for the 2.4ghz correct? The 5ghz was telling me channels like 157 and other higher channels were best.

Just 2.4. Unfortunately, a new neighbor can move in and screw it up for everyone.

for 5ghz channels, none of them overlap, so it really just depends on how thick your walls are as to what channel you use
 

notseqi

Member
I have an Xfinity 600mbps plan (just upgraded from a 300mbps plan), I have an Arris surfboard 6183 modem capable of around 600mbps. And have an Asus RT 1900AC router. Everything on the network is connected wirelessly.

Now, this is a busy place. I may have up to 6 simultaneous games going and like 20-25 total things going at once on my network. That's game consoles, video conferencing, smart TVs/tablets running Netflix, computers on Youtube...a lot of traffic at one time.

The issue is once I get to around 4 games going or a couple tablets and video conferences, the internet will start dropping sporadically. I cannot have this, and need that much traffic going. So what is the most likely bottleneck here??

I just replaced the modem and upgraded the internet service plan as I said. They were both 300mbps and now both are 600mbps. This did not help.

So is it the plan/modem still? Do I need a 1gbps plan and a 1gbps modem?? Do I need a new router (currently Asus AC 1900)? Do I need a new line in or to my house?
I don't know what that plan is but what is the upload on that 600mbps? Had a 200/5 before, useless. Overhead from requests would kill any upload bandwidth and therefore download.
Especially on 5+ devices. If you have a decent upload rate you should check for different routers to handle the traffic, maybe update to another switch/router to handle the wireless.
We're doing quite expensive TPLINK (I know I know) stuff right now to handle all the WiFi connections.
 
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