Discussing the problem and sharing ideas is what we're here for.
Discussing the problem and sharing ideas is what we're here for.
I've faced some internet problems for about eight months now. Mostly noticed them on my PC while gaming. I experienced frequent lag spikes and other connectivity issues, all over Ethernet. For a long time, I couldn't determine the cause. I checked speedtest.net on my PC, which showed around 20 Mbps—much lower than the usual 110 Mbps. Initially, I thought it was my modem, but when I checked on my phone over Wi-Fi, speeds were about 110 Mbps. So I assumed the router wasn't the problem. After restarting everything, it worked fine on my PC and phone.
Recently, while playing Minecraft, I encountered severe lag, almost as if it was frozen. It seemed to improve for a couple hours before dropping again. I checked speedtest.net again and still got 20 Mbps. I tried changing the Ethernet port on the modem, but the speed stayed the same. Then I switched to a different cable and connected it directly to my PC, which suddenly reached 112 Mbps. That confirmed the issue was with the cable.
However, the cable I used was connected to a Wi-Fi router in another room, so it wouldn't work for me. I decided to stick with the original setup and wait for a new cable. After several speed tests, it consistently showed 110 Mbps or higher.
This raises questions: Is the problem with my modem, since I can get fast Wi-Fi speeds but slow wired ones? Or is it my ISP, Comcast Xfinity, that's limiting performance? My modem is over six years old and I’m unsure about its lifespan. I don’t want to spend hundreds on another modem if it’s not necessary. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Attempt to update the firmware whenever feasible. Fresh cables always benefit—wires tend to become brittle and break over time.
You're looking to boost performance quickly. I understand you might need upgraded cables or a reset/flash to achieve the speeds you expect. Alternatively, consider reaching out for further guidance on optimizing your setup.
I’m testing these options right now. The cable I usually use is only two years old, so it’s possible it’s still decent. The one I used for testing later was an older model from rocketfish, so either of them should work. Just a reminder I’m back at 14 Mbps again. I considered some programs that drain the network, but with GlassWire I haven’t seen anything unusual.
After roughly two weeks, I think I identified the problem. I replaced the cable with a new one as recommended, but the issue persisted. About a week ago I realized I had an extra wired network card from an old PC, and I connected it in. So far, everything seems fine. I’ll update later, but it appears the built-in Ethernet port isn’t functioning correctly. Mobo is an Asus x470 Prime-Pro for those interested.