Speed changes a lot on the WiFi network.
Speed changes a lot on the WiFi network.
Hello! I run a small Twitch streamer account, usually going online 3 to 5 days a week. Recently, my internet connection has been very unstable, as shown in the attached graph. This affects the quality of my streams and makes watching difficult. If anyone knows a solution to this issue, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks! Yes, I’m using WiFi but trying to connect via Ethernet; my router is too far away.
Can you verify if the problem lies with your Wi-Fi or your internet service? If it's your connection, you can't fix it—just contact your ISP. For Ethernet issues, using a powerline adapter is another way to get internet through standard outlets. It's not as fast as direct Ethernet but more dependable than Wi-Fi.
Sure, I see. I’ll try EoP next. It seems like my Wi-Fi might be the issue, similar to what Speedtest shows—slow upload speeds that gradually improve. I also just updated the drivers on my Wi-Fi card, but it didn’t work. Thanks for your help!
I've experienced this problem for years and spent considerable time exploring potential causes. If it mirrors what I faced—a recurring, predictable disruption—I realized the main factor was signal interference. In areas with many signals, routers or other gadgets often broadcast pings in search of connections, and these signals can drown out active links between devices on different networks. This wasn't my first guess for the issue. There are methods to reduce this interference: opt for a 5 GHz network only, as the 2.4 GHz band is heavily used and can be disrupted by devices like microwaves, even though you sacrifice some range. Adjust your Wi-Fi channel manually to an unused one, use a spectrum analyzer app on your phone to check channel usage, or switch to a less crowded frequency. Enable beamforming to direct the signal precisely toward your device and back to the router, which minimizes disruption. Consider upgrading to a higher Wi-Fi standard (B/g/n) rather than sticking with older AC or 2.4 GHz options. Adaptive settings can help devices avoid overlapping signals, especially for Bluetooth. Lower bandwidth options like 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, or even 160MHz can improve stability, though the latter may cause congestion if shared with neighbors. Reducing bandwidth generally lessens interference but also slows speeds. Ultimately, if you need low-latency connections beyond casual browsing, Wi-Fi might not be the best choice anymore. For more reliable performance, alternatives such as powerline adapters or Ethernet cables can work well. If using Ethernet, keep in mind that Cat5/6 cables lose strength over 100 feet and may require a repeater for longer runs. You might find useful insights on unusual networking fixes in sources like Linus's online discussions.