Ethernet/wifi connection suddenly slow on PC, works fine on other devices

[hhf45]

I've been running an ethernet connection to my computer for half a year and it's been going well, but all of a sudden a few days ago in the middle of my session my speed dropped drastically (youtube videos autoselect 480p and have to buffer at that resolution even).

I've done speed tests and compared it to the wifi results on my phone, ethernet on my PC is more than 100 times slower at 0.6 Mbps download and 0.8 upload.

I have not changed any settings recently. I tried updating LAN drivers for my mobo (ASRock AB350M Pro4) but it hasn't helped. Ethernet cable is less than 6 months old. PC is about 6 months old. Have already restarted my router and modem to no avail.

My USB wireless adapter is giving me equally crap results. When connected to the same wifi network on my phone, wifi is fast and works as per normal.

 

[Ralston18]

Are you changing the slowed PC back and forth between wired and wireless? If so, be sure that only the applicable (wired or wireless) network adapter is enabled. Not both adapters. Do not forget the motherboard's built in adapter either. Only one adapter should be enabled.

Do try another known working Ethernet cable if possible.

Or move the cable to another computer to see if the problem follows the cable. Even though the cable may be new remember that the cables are made as cheaply as possible with minimal or no QA.

And check inside the slow PC - especially if using a PCIx network adapter. Be sure that the network adapter is fully and firmly seated.

And run Task Manager to look for some specific bottleneck with respect to the slow PC and its connection to the network.

 

[hhf45]

Are you changing the slowed PC back and forth between wired and wireless? If so, be sure that only the applicable (wired or wireless) network adapter is enabled. Not both adapters. Do not forget the motherboard's built in adapter either. Only one adapter should be enabled.

Do try another known working Ethernet cable if possible.

Or move the cable to another computer to see if the problem follows the cable. Even though the cable may be new remember that the cables are made as cheaply as possible with minimal or no QA.

And check inside the slow PC - especially if using a PCIx network adapter. Be sure that the network adapter is fully and firmly seated.

And run Task Manager to look for some specific bottleneck with respect to the slow PC and its connection to the network.

What specifically am I looking for in Task Manager? Something that hogs up Network? It's at 0%.

 

[Ralston18]

Look at App history and Details.

Try the Resource Monitor and look at the Network Tab.

You are looking for something, anything that is causing network traffic and thus slowing things down.

Start with only the slow PC up and running. If all is normal, then begin booting up other devices one by one to see if the performance drop appears with one particular device.

Need to narrow down the possibilities.

 

[hhf45]

Look at App history and Details.

Try the Resource Monitor and look at the Network Tab.

You are looking for something, anything that is causing network traffic and thus slowing things down.

Start with only the slow PC up and running. If all is normal, then begin booting up other devices one by one to see if the performance drop appears with one particular device.

Need to narrow down the possibilities.

Funny enough, I wasn't at home over the weekend and when I came back today my week long problem suddenly resolved itself.

 

[Ralston18]

Iteresting...

And good!

Might have been some update that quietly fixed an issue.

Still remain aware of what happens on your computer as well as other devices on your network.

If the problem returns you may be able to correlate with some event or particular device.

 

[hhf45]

Iteresting...

And good!

Might have been some update that quietly fixed an issue.

Still remain aware of what happens on your computer as well as other devices on your network.

If the problem returns you may be able to correlate with some event or particular device.

Sadly the problem has returned. Honestly it baffles me. Youtube videos worked well for an hour, before my connection tanked again. Been through my task manager but cannot find anything that particularly stands out. Neither have I made any physical changes to my network/devices.

my task manager screens
http://prntscr.com/it9hq8
http://prntscr.com/it9p7e

edit: connection jumped back AGAIN. my past history http://prntscr.com/it9sr4

 

[Ralston18]

Use Task Manager to carefully "End Tasks" by right clicking Processes you do not need to have running. (Some are likely being launched at start up - temporarily remove if and as necessary.)

Not a Chrome User but it seems that Chrome is quite "busy".

Likewise Cortana, Steam, Xbox etc.

Selectively end tasks one by one keeping notes and watching system performance.

Could be some "perfect storm" situation where two tasks are competing.

And take a close look at your Gaming and Xbox settings via the Game Bar. ("WIN" = "I" > Gaming > Game bar.

Key is to first identify the culprit(s) and then focus on what is necessary to fix them via configurations changes, updates, and even reinstalls.

To go deeper into all use the Event Viewer logs to look for some error, warning, or information log entry just before or at the time that the YouTube videos slowed.

Event Viewer will take more effort and time so first just focus on Task Manager.