Question Consistent loss of internet connection every 10-20 minutes ?

[ugean]

I have run out of things to troubleshoot so I am posting here for help before I throw out this laptop. I have an older laptop that I use regularly that about a month ago has started having internet problems. No other network changes have occurred. It is only impacting this laptop and the other 3 computers and numerous other devices are not having any problems.

The Problem: Every 10-20 minutes the laptop drops the internet connection for 1-2 minutes. This is very annoying when streaming video or doing any file upload/downloads. I can work around it when doing general surfing but it is really becoming a bother.

The interesting thing is that the laptop stays connected to the internal network and can continue to move files across to the other computers on the network. The keyboard on the laptop stopped working several years ago so this laptop lives on a doc station and functions like a desktop. I have tried disconnecting the hardline and running it on wifi and I get the same results. Like I said above no other computer on the network has this problem. My network is Starlink and AT&T with a load balancing router. I have disconnected it from the router and tried running it on each ISP by itself. The problem still exists. I have run many different virus and maleware scans. The system is clean. I have not done a reload of windows. If it comes to that point I think I'll just replace it. I have also updated the drivers which the most recent updates were already done prior and were a couple of years old. I rolled them back anyway and no luck. Same with system updates. I have tried the trick of changing the power management so that the network card doesn't turn off. after several days of searching for an answer I am out of things to try. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

I have a running ping on Google to catch the internet dropping. I couldn't paste as an image but here is the output showing the dropping. At the same time I am pinging another computer in my network and showing that it is connecting all the while. I will say that the ping times on this system are about twice that on any other system in my network.

Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=105ms TTL=120
Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=93ms TTL=120
Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=102ms TTL=120
Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=126ms TTL=120
Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=108ms TTL=120
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=98ms TTL=112
Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=86ms TTL=112
PING: transmit failed. General failure.
PING: transmit failed. General failure.
PING: transmit failed. General failure.
Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=112ms TTL=120
Reply from 172.217.14.228: bytes=32 time=107ms TTL=120

Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from : bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128

 

[lantis3]

If that is the output from arp -a it also shows all the devices you have talked to on your lan. You will always see the router but you can see switches and other pc on your lan network also.

OK, I got it wrong. It's ARP table/cache.

But I'm still trying to tell OP if he has multiple adapters on a machine, he needs to disable all but one adapter to trouble shoot.

 

[ugean]

Right those are all different devices than this laptop. Right now I'm on Wifi and this is my arp. I don't recognize any of these IP's. I have also noticed that today the outages are more frequent and longer.
Interface: 192.168.1.23 --- 0xc
Internet Address Physical Address Type
192.168.1.1 74-24-9f-f7-62-c5 dynamic
192.168.1.21 be-47-1f-58-88-aa dynamic
192.168.1.22 14-eb-b6-2c-92-37 dynamic
192.168.1.24 70-2c-09-6b-8b-af dynamic
192.168.1.25 fa-4f-d0-90-5c-65 dynamic
192.168.1.255 ff-ff-ff-ff-ff-ff static
224.0.0.2 01-00-5e-00-00-02 static
224.0.0.22 01-00-5e-00-00-16 static
224.0.0.251 01-00-5e-00-00-fb static
224.0.0.252 01-00-5e-00-00-fc static
239.255.255.250 01-00-5e-7f-ff-fa static
255.255.255.255 ff-ff-ff-ff-ff-ff static

Interface: 100.64.100.6 --- 0xd
Internet Address Physical Address Type
100.64.100.5 dynamic
192.168.2.1 dynamic
192.168.2.3 dynamic
192.168.2.4 dynamic
224.0.0.2 static
224.0.0.22 static
224.0.0.251 static
239.255.255.250 static
255.255.255.255 static

 

[ugean]

There is only one adapter on the machine. Right now I'm on wifi. Normally it is plugged into the dell dockng station but the problem occurs either way.

 

[lantis3]

I also have exhausted my ideas. See if others can help.

 

[Ralston18]

First: you do not need to redact (X.X) Private IP addresses.

FYI:

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-private-ip-address-2625970#:~:text=A%20private%20IP%20address%20is,a%20home%20or%20business%20network


Knowing the full IP addresses is important for troubleshooting. And check the subnet mask for all devices. All should be 255.255.255.0

Second:

Which device (per post #19) is responsible for providing DHCP IP addresses - the Starlink or the ER605? I would expect that the Starlink's Router functions would be disabled. It serving as a modem and the ER605 being the router.

There should only be one router serving the network. You could have three routers if the AT&T is connected in.

Third:

What ports (WAN, LAN) are being used to connect the wired devices?

Fourth:

I am also wondering about that lease time.

Fifth:

Rerun "ipcofig /all" and "arp -a" again. Map IP addresess and MAC (Physical addresses) to the devices shown in your diagram.

Do not redact the Private IP addresses.

 

[ugean]

The starlink is in bridge mode so the ER605 does all the work. There is only the ER605 for a router. The other TP router upstairs is just for Wifi. Problem persists even if I turn it off.

Currently only one WAN port is being used. There are three LAN ports being used.
1. The desktop
2. My wife's office
3. the Switch that feeds the two laptops in my office

This is showing only the ACER laptop showing in IPconfig.
Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Acer-Laptop
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : lan

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller- ACER NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 98-29-A6-34-13-D7
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Unknown adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : ExpressVPN TUN Driver
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . :
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 100.64.100.6(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 100.64.100.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 6:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Dell GigabitEthernet-Docking station for ACER laptop. ACER is not connected to the internet with this right now but it is connected to the switch.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 9C-EB-E8-74-8E-E4
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.196(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, February 8, 2024 8:22:28 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, March 18, 2160 12:15:11 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 1:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter-Don't know
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : B0-35-9F-7E-6D-1F
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter #2-Don't know
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : B2-35-9F-7E-6D-1E
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168-Wireless adapter currently connected for internet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : B0-35-9F-7E-6D-1E
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.23(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, February 9, 2024 4:39:42 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, February 9, 2024 6:39:44 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

I do not recognize any of these IP addresses other than the 196 is the ACER laptop.

Interface: 192.168.2.196 --- 0x5
Internet Address Physical Address Type
192.168.2.1 14-eb-b6-2c-92-35 dynamic
192.168.2.102 9c-a2-f4-75-ca-6f dynamic
192.168.2.103 0c-37-96-5f-ce-dc dynamic
192.168.2.104 6c-5a-b0-b4-bd-e9 dynamic
192.168.2.122 34-48-ed-b6-2e-74 dynamic
192.168.2.195 94-de-80-78-a0-b4 dynamic
192.168.2.255 ff-ff-ff-ff-ff-ff static
224.0.0.2 01-00-5e-00-00-02 static
224.0.0.22 01-00-5e-00-00-16 static
224.0.0.251 01-00-5e-00-00-fb static
224.0.0.252 01-00-5e-00-00-fc static
239.255.255.250 01-00-5e-7f-ff-fa static
255.255.255.255 ff-ff-ff-ff-ff-ff static

Interface: 192.168.1.23 --- 0xc
Internet Address Physical Address Type
192.168.1.1 74-24-9f-f7-62-c5 dynamic
192.168.1.21 be-47-1f-58-88-aa dynamic
192.168.1.22 14-eb-b6-2c-92-37 dynamic
192.168.1.24 70-2c-09-6b-8b-af dynamic
192.168.1.25 fa-4f-d0-90-5c-65 dynamic
192.168.1.255 ff-ff-ff-ff-ff-ff static
224.0.0.2 01-00-5e-00-00-02 static
224.0.0.22 01-00-5e-00-00-16 static
224.0.0.251 01-00-5e-00-00-fb static
224.0.0.252 01-00-5e-00-00-fc static
239.255.255.250 01-00-5e-7f-ff-fa static
255.255.255.255 ff-ff-ff-ff-ff-ff static

Interface: 100.64.100.6 --- 0xd
Internet Address Physical Address Type
100.64.100.5 dynamic
192.168.1.1 dynamic
192.168.2.1 dynamic
192.168.2.3 dynamic
192.168.2.4 dynamic
224.0.0.2 static
224.0.0.22 static
224.0.0.251 static
239.255.255.250 static
255.255.255.255 static

 

[bill001g]

So I see you have a vpn client installed. You could try to uninstall it and see if the problem goes away. I hate vpn software that you load into windows it tends to not unistall cleanly many times. Express vpn should be better. The best way is to use one of the open source vpn clients that support openvpn or wireguard and manually configure the parameters so you know what it is doing.

The vpn will over ride the routing making things more complex.

How did you force it to use the wifi. In general when you have ethernet and wifi it will use the ethernet because the default metric should be better.
It is also strange that you have 2 completely different subnets for the ethernet and the wifi.

Can you make this simpler and disable the interfaces you are not actually using.... at least until you find your issue. You want them to show as disconencted in the ipconfig list. I still suspect the vpn is up to no good.

 

[lantis3]

100% agree with @bill001g

You can also install the following extension on every PC that have Chrome installed. See if it can reveal anything.
https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/internet-connection-monit/hgccfdagfbilbdbkgmfdmmdfmjjoakfo

By the way, make sure you have only one DHCP server running. So disable the one on TP-Link wifi router TP-QR940N

And doess IP 192.168.1.1 belong to Starlink mode/router or TP-QR940N?

TP-QR940N should uplink to ER605 using one of its LAN ports, not WAN port. Its LAN IP should also be in 192.168.2.x range, and WAN port should be open and does not connect to any one.

 

[Ralston18]

Three immediate observations:

1) ExpressVPN TUN Driver

That 255.255.255.255 Subnet mask does not seem right....

2)Lease time - should not make a difference but 2 hours is quite short.

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168-Wireless adapter currently connected for internet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : B0-35-9F-7E-6D-1E
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.23(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, February 9, 2024 4:39:42 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, February 9, 2024 6:39:44 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

3) Change the DNS servers to Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

 

[ugean]

So I see you have a vpn client installed. You could try to uninstall it and see if the problem goes away. I hate vpn software that you load into windows it tends to not unistall cleanly many times. Express vpn should be better. The best way is to use one of the open source vpn clients that support openvpn or wireguard and manually configure the parameters so you know what it is doing.

The vpn will over ride the routing making things more complex.

How did you force it to use the wifi. In general when you have ethernet and wifi it will use the ethernet because the default metric should be better.
It is also strange that you have 2 completely different subnets for the ethernet and the wifi.

Can you make this simpler and disable the interfaces you are not actually using.... at least until you find your issue. You want them to show as disconencted in the ipconfig list. I still suspect the vpn is up to no good.

I am uninstalling ExpressVPN right now. Although it is on several of the machines and I have used it for years with no issues.

As for forcing the Wifi I don't know. It just did it. I would rather hardline. It forced itself to wifi after trying to force it to use the static IP as previously posted. How do I disable an interface and which one am I not using?

I changed the DNS servers on the Starlink in the ER605. Is that what you meant?
Connection Type:

Host Name: Starlink

(Optional)
Upstream Bandwidth: 1000000

Kbps (100-1000000)
Downstream Bandwidth:
1000000

Kbps (100-1000000)
MTU: 1500


Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8

(Optional)
Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4

Connection Status
​

Connection Status	Connected
IP Address	192.168.1.28
Subnet Mask	255.255.255.0
Default Gateway	192.168.1.1
Primary DNS	8.8.8.8
Secondary DNS	8.8.4.4

 

[ugean]

Oh and I don't use chrome. I use Brave for a browser.

 

[ugean]

100% agree with @bill001g

You can also install the following extension on every PC that have Chrome installed. See if it can reveal anything.
https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/internet-connection-monit/hgccfdagfbilbdbkgmfdmmdfmjjoakfo

By the way, make sure you have only one DHCP server running. So disable the one on TP-Link wifi router TP-QR940N

And doess IP 192.168.1.1 belong to Starlink mode/router or TP-QR940N?

TP-QR940N should uplink to ER605 using one of its LAN ports, not WAN port. Its LAN IP should also be in 192.168.2.x range, and WAN port should be open and does not connect to any one.

I have tried unplugging the TP link router in the past and it did not solve the issue. If I disconnect it right now I'll loose wifi...I'll try maybe the signal off of the starlink directly will reach but it's usually weak at this end of the house. And I don't have a TP-QR940N. I have a TL-SG105E. It connects to the switch which connects to a LAN on the ER605.

Device Description	TL-SG105E
MAC Address	9C:A2:F4:75:CA:6F
IP Address	192.168.2.102
Subnet Mask	255.255.255.0
Default Gateway	192.168.2.1
Firmware Version	1.0.0 Build 20211209 Rel.52640
Hardware Version	TL-SG105E 5.0

 

[ugean]

I found the option in the TL-SG105E to disable the DHCP and have done so.

 

[lantis3]

If you don't have TP-QR940N, why is it in the drawing?

TL-SG105E's DHCP is it's capability getting a dynamic ip from a dhcp server just like all other devices, it does not have the capability to act as a dhcp server.

And you kept not answering which wifi router is giving 192.168.1.x range.

 

[Ralston18]

Update your drawing to provide the current network topology and configuration settings.

Include the IP addresses and subnet masks for all devices.

Use ~~~~~~> to indicate wireless connections.

 

[ugean]

Sorry for not following up. I was busy all weekend building my new bathroom. The issue appears to be resolved with removing ExpressVPN. However, I am not able to connect hardline at all. I can only connect via wireless and since disabling the DHCP in the TP link router my wifi is very slow.

 

[lantis3]

No one can't help if you are not telling which device is giving wifi signal and what ip range.

You also shouldn't connect wired and wifi to different network at the same time, especially if the two network is cascading to each other, like same person is living at 1st floor and 2nd floor at the same time. It confuses everyone.

Now do you have Tplink QR940N or not? If yes, does it uplink to switch with LAN port or WAN port? You have to use LAN port (NOT WAN port) as I mentioned previously. You want to run Tplink QR940N in AP mode, not router mode. Tplink QR940N's WAN port should not have any cable being plugged in and it's LAN IP address should be in 192.168.2.x range as other devices.

By the way, what's the reason to set static ip? If you don't know how to set it properly, then don't,

 

[ugean]

Sorry I'm getting things confused. Yes the router which is only used for Wifi is the TP-QR940N. I have it laying around and don't have anything else to project Wifi, as it is turned off in the Starlink modem/router when in bridge mode. It's IP is 192.168.2.104

The SG105E is the switch that the TP-QR940N, Acer laptop and HP laptops are plugged into.
SG105E 192.168.2.102
Acer 192.168.2.196
HP 192.168.2.122
TP-QR940N 192.168.2.104

I use static IP's because I have mapped drives on all systems and this makes life easy to move/open files in W10. It also makes it easy for me to know which computer is which when looking in the routers.

ExpressVPN has been uninstalled.

Because I was confused I had actually turned off the DCHP on the switch not the TP-QR940N. I actually cannot even access that router because nothing is hardlined into it. Do do so I would need to move some wires around. I don't think this is necessary as it was working this way for years with no issues. The issue appears to have been some update from ExpressVPN. So I just need to figure out how to undo whatever I did to the Acer that stopped the hardline from working.

Internet dropping issues appear to be solved.

Internet is now a little slow when browsing.

Acer will only connect via Wifi now. I would like to get it back to being on the hardline but it does not detect it.

 

[ugean]

I just ran the windows troubleshooter. It said the DHCP was not enabled on the adapter. I let it do it's repair and everything appears to be backup and running. I'm running the constant ping now and will update if the problem returns. In the meantime I'm going to reach out to ExpressVPN and see if they have a fix.

 

[lantis3]

By the way, not quite sure load balancing router will help your upload speed if you are just uploading files to the same destination. Haven't use Google drive for years.

ExpressVPN could probably only work on one of the ISP providers, not both providers at the same time.

 

[ugean]

The load balancing router is mostly left over from before we had Starlink. We had AT&T and comcast. Still about 1/3 of our traffic goes out the AT&T. We both work from home and use a lot of data for work. That is not Google Drive.