Ping Issues
I'm having some serious ping issues in the evening. During the day I can get around 15-20ms on a ping test, and around 50-70ms on most TF2 servers. Then, at about 6:00 p.m. eastern, my ping will jump to the 180's on the ping test, and around 250-300 on most TF2 servers. Is there anything that my ISP can do, or is this just an issue of too much traffic? I'm going through a DSL, if that makes a difference. Thanks guys!
-Norm
-Norm
0
Comments
Who else uses the Internet connection, and what are they doing at 6:00 p.m. eastern?
Is your computer scheduled to do anything at that time?
What server are you pinging when you do the ping test?
A ping is just a quick server response test. Speedtest.net does dataflow analysis and gives downloads and uploads, and then shows both results.
So there are three places where things can go wrong:
1. Your end (most likely)
2. The ISPs end (most likely given the circumstances you describe
3. The telecom's end (usually not the case given your circumstances)
On that note, DSL is run on independent lines. You share a backbone and high powered router with other subscribers, but that's it. It's unlikely it can't handle evening loads ... but it could be the case.
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Here is what I recommend:
Isolate your Internet connection to two devices. Turn every other computer, mobile device, netflix enabled console, etc. off. Just two devices. Run the ping test on both at separate times. Are they both really slow? If it is just one that is slow, you know it is just that device that has the issue. Let us know, we can figure out the problem.
If they are both slow, reboot your router and modem, then try the speed test again.
Still both slow? Call your ISP.
The first thing they are likely to do is have you power cycle (turn off then back on) your router and modem. You may want to try that first before calling them.
If you do that, and still have issues then your ISP can run what's called a line test and perhaps check in with the telecom's central office to make sure nothing is bad on their end.
Good luck, keep us posted or let us know if we can somehow help more.
When you get bad pings, in evening, try dataflow at speedtest.net. If you get good dataflow and games perform well once they connect to a game server, then bad ping will be something your ISP can do little about if it is isolated and not universal.
Try speedtest.comcast.net to get a combo of both results. It does minimum ping to choose server, then a data test, and will let you manually compare servers by choosing other servers.
The next is to make sure you use WPA2, and not WEP. WPA2 and WEP are security settings in your router that define the encryption on your password. WEP is outdated, WPA2 is basically the new stuff.
Honestly, your best bet is to call the ISP and have them walk you through over the phone to check on that. They likely already have the make and model of your modem/router and may even know the password to get in to it's settings and make sure everything is ok.
Just call your ISP and start the call like this:
I have two issues:
1. My connection is slow every day at 6:00pm, but fast earlier in the day.
2. I want to make sure my router's wireless is password protected with WPA2, not WEP.
They will take you through it from there. Just be patient, in a good mood, and have an hour of time set aside. Tech support is never easy, but if you go in to it with the right attitude you can come out smiling.
Good luck Yuri!