Question Sudden data drop in both Ethernet and Wi-Fi on a single computer, while other devices work normally
Question Sudden data drop in both Ethernet and Wi-Fi on a single computer, while other devices work normally
Hello, I'm facing a challenging issue with my computer. For nearly a year, my Ethernet connection worked perfectly, but over the past two weeks I've noticed frequent packet loss on both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Even when trying to connect via Wi-Fi only—since it's my sole option—I still experience this problem. The loss is unpredictable and can last more than a minute. Other devices on the main network are functioning normally, so it seems to be an issue specific to my computer.
I've attempted various fixes: updating drivers, uninstalling and reinstalling them, removing and reinstalling devices, checking for updates from the motherboard manufacturer, restarting the router, changing the port settings, switching between Ethernet and Wi-Fi, using a different network, running Windows Troubleshooter, disabling IPv4 and IPv6 separately, enabling antivirus, turning off power management, and adjusting the QoS packet scheduler. I think there might be one or two additional factors at play, but I don't remember any specifics right now.
Every speed test shows normal speeds, and PingPlotter is running, which is confusing because it clearly indicates packet loss across almost every connection point. I'm really stuck and am preparing to start classes soon. I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions from others who might have encountered similar problems.
I don't fully understand networking concepts, and I've searched extensively on the internet without success. I feel quite overwhelmed and would like to avoid any further delays.
System details: B550M Mortar, Ryzen 5 5600X, EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti, 16GB HyperX RAM, 1TB Samsung 980p SSD (120GB free), Corsair RM750 power supply (likely 3 years old, original and well-maintained), operating system Windows 10 Home version 19045.5737. I use a USB mouse and keyboard, occasionally a USB headset, a display port to my monitor, and speakers that connect via 3.5mm jack. All drivers are up to date.
Update your post with complete hardware details and operating system information. Provide the power supply specifications, including voltage, amperage, and age, along with its condition (original, build, refurbished, used). List the disk drive specifications such as brand, model, and capacity, noting how full they are. Include a full list of all connected peripherals.
If it is truly just your computer, it should display a loss between the PC and the router. If the issue lies with the router or something beyond it, you’d expect it to impact other devices as well. I would begin by performing a basic constant ping to the router’s IP address. On ipconfig /all, it should appear as your gateway IP. This should theoretically result in a loss. If not, it suggests a software-related interference along the data path. You might then try a constant ping to 8.8.8.8. If you notice loss there too, it points toward a more specific problem affecting certain traffic types, such as HTTP rather than ping. The sole reason for this test is to rule out hardware faults. However, if the issue persists only on Linux, it could indicate a software or OS-related problem. Your aim here is to figure out whether the trouble stems from hardware, Windows issues, or additional installed software. If you encounter loss in Linux, suspect faulty hardware and be cautious about installing any extra programs. Pay close attention to the motherboard and video card firmware, as these can contain unnecessary bloatware that may interfere. The so-called "gaming" network accelerators are often the culprits—make sure they aren’t installed.
There might be a possibility of a specific configuration in the router that restricts traffic for your MAC address—Wi-Fi and Ethernet behave differently. This could involve firewall rules or other control settings. Perhaps performing a factory reset would help. Once that’s done, just set up the Wi-Fi and admin passwords. Turn off any built-in virus or firewall features if they’re enabled by default. The goal is to have the router running with NAT only, with minimal additional settings.
Thank you for your response. I have identified the gateway IP and am using pingplotter to analyze it. The data shows an average latency of 1.2 with a consistent 100% packet loss. When testing 8.8.8.8, approximately 30% packet loss is observed across all hops except hop 11, which has 100% packet loss, and hop 7, where the loss ranges from 75 to 95%. I hope this information proves useful; I regret not having more details.
The situation is unusual, as a router in your home is unlikely to ignore a ping command. Pingplotter appears to be functioning differently, often reporting 100% loss which seems unrealistic unless nodes beyond it are unreachable. Many users react with frustration, thinking the tool is broken or misleading, and they overlook the fact that other devices might share the same path and thus experience similar issues. The core issue remains unchanged.
It doesn’t matter much what happens next. Even if a device like hop xx loses 50% of traffic, you have no control over it. This is likely a router owned by an ISP you can reach, possibly because you don’t use their services directly. What you can influence are your own router and PC.
The suggestion to ping 8.8.8.8 is only relevant if you want to verify there’s no loss on your router’s IP address. In theory, a healthy PC and router should show no problems. However, real-world losses are often present, and relying on prebuilt USB images can be complicated.
Perhaps it’s best to restart Windows and try again. This should resolve the problem, even if you never understand why it happened.
Try using "dism" and "sfc /scannow" first before proceeding with a reinstall.