Experiencing major issues with disconnections on Ethernet connections
Experiencing major issues with disconnections on Ethernet connections
Hey there! This is my first time sharing on the forum, and I’m dealing with a bit of a puzzling situation. My home has a fully set up network with two Ethernet ports per room. We’re using Cat5 throughout most of the walls, connecting down to my basement where it meets a TL-SG1024S switch. One port on the switch is linked to an Xfinity Xfi modem on our gigabit plan (speed 344 Mbps down, 150 Mbps up), while another port connects to my laptop.
The problem starts when I attempt to play a game and stream simultaneously. My Ethernet stays active but shows no internet connection as shown in the attached file. I notice this issue tends to happen more often at night. Although my speeds are likely sufficient for a 6000 bitrate stream, it still doesn’t work consistently.
I’m using a Razer Blade 14 3060 and an Anker PowerExpand+ 5-in-1 USB-C Ethernet hub as my connection. I’ve tried several fixes: changing the modem’s port to the router, resetting the modem, reattaching the cable, updating the hub’s firmware, using Command Prompt to get a new IP, disabling power-saving features on Windows, and even resetting the laptop. Nothing seems to resolve the problem.
If anyone has any ideas or solutions I could try, I’d really appreciate it! Thanks a lot!
The xFi functions as an internet gateway, combining modem, router, AP, and switch features. Is there another router positioned in front of it? A diagram would be very useful. Could you share another device connected via Ethernet to check if the issue persists? I've experienced similar devices failing before.
Your setup is the issue. Cat5 supports up to 100mb/s, while Cat5e or higher is required for gigabit speeds.
I understand what I was told about cat 5 connections, but my speed tests show over 100mb/s—currently around 227mb/s down and 150mb/s up. I’m not aiming for gigabit performance; my main goal is stable streaming without interruptions. I’m wondering if the adapter I use from Anker might be the issue or something else entirely. Right now, I notice random internet drops while the computer still shows an Ethernet connection, but no actual internet access.
In reply to the routers I'm working with, I'd note I have two Wi-Fi APs, though I'm not sure they match the exact specifications of some Unifi 6 Lite APs. I plan to create a diagram linked below. I also want to highlight that I don't currently have another USB-C to Ethernet adapter and would need to buy one. If there are any recommendations, I'd appreciate it. My existing Anker 5-in-1 hub includes three USB 3.0 ports, an Ethernet jack, and an HDMI port—two of which are already hosting devices.