Upload speed is lower than usual (Cox Internet)

Oxicoi

Distinguished
Feb 7, 2017
461
15
18,815
I can't possibly tell you how much I've been trying to get my Upload speed for what I'm paying for and it just won't go up. I've disabled QoS, limited with QoS, used different channels (specifically 1, 6, and 11), put N only with 40mhz, using Ethernet, and contacting Cox themselves. No matter how many resets and refreshes I do, IT WILL NOT GO UP. I have the plan for 150mbps download and 10mbps upload, but I only get 0.20-1mbps for some odd reason that I can't seem to figure the freak out.

Are there any suggestions to fix this issue because nothing I do will not help. If you need to know my router, it is an Asus RT-AC68R (probably the worst in my opinion).
 
Solution
If your network (i.e., just the router and devices) works without an internet connection to the modem then that is a good thing. If the network performance degrades when the modem is connected to the router then that narrows the possibilities.

Unfortunately many ISP techs are poorly trained, over-worked, and are often abused by customers who take out their frustrations on the tech.

Does not take much to make a cable or connection fail and intermittent connections are the worst.

When Cox came on site did you notice or did the tech mention doing any sort of cable testing: i.e., measure signal strengths and continuity?

What modem make and model is installed? You may be able to access that modem via a browser interface to...
What modem do you have? Make and model? Is it yours or is a a rental modem supplied by Cox?

What does Cox say when you call?

What is your setup - e.g.:

Cox ISP ---- coax cable ----> modem ------ethernet cable ------>[WAN] Asus RT-AC68R then wired [LAN ports] and wireless to devices

Start by inspecting your wiring coming into and upto your modem. [Edit to correct typo.]

Inspect all cables, connections, splitters. Look for signs of corrosion, bare metal showing, crushing, hard bends, rodent chewing - any physical damage. Look at as much as you can but do so safely.

Do you have a patch panel and ethernet wall outlets in your house? They can be the source of many problems.

Try replacing any accessible coax and/or ethernet cables with known working cables. Replace one cable at a time.

Connect a PC directly to the modem - see if that works.

Check the router's logs. If available and enabled there may be error messages being captured. See what you can find.

Unfortunately you need to really delve into the possible causes - especially if Cox is no help. Their support ends at the modem and they are likely to blame any problems on your network.

See what you can find and post accordingly.
 


I've contacted Cox and they've reset the modem tons of times and it doesn't seem to fix the issue. The only possible thing I can do is wait till Monday for them to either give me a new modem or a new cable, the tiny pointy needle looking cord (which I guess it the Coax). Nothing they can do on their end from there.

I'll keep on trying and try things that Ralston is suggesting, but thank you for your suggestion. The only possible causes that are slowing my Upload is possibly the Coax or plainly just my Ethernet cable. I'll try and use a different Ethernet directly to the modem to see if that does anything. Thank you guys for responding. If any of you have someone that can help me with this post as well, it would be much appreciated: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3326071/amd-a10-6800k-overclock-issue.html
 
So Cox came in and they didn't do anything. I plugged my Ethernet in the modem and it still had low upload. Cox replaced the Coax, but it only made it worse. So my question here is... is the modem screwed and can't handle it (which it did before) or is my own software just dying and can't even support the upload I need? My hardware is Qualcomm Atheros AR8161 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 6.30).

EDIT: Or could it be my Ethernet itself?

EDIT 2: Uninstalled my Software and reinstalled it, same thing. Tried a different Ethernet, same thing. Conclusion has been made and it's the modem that is having issues. I'll have to set another appointment for them to come and get it fixed.
 
So we just switched the modem and STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS! MY GOD! The only thing we have left is to fix the cables and wires that even allow internet into the modem or whatever, the Coax. The Coax cable itself isn't the problem, it's something else that I don't know about so it's nothing I can do. So sad to say that I have to wait for another appointment. Cox is such a pain sometimes, but I get it. It's internet, you can't get everything you would like to.
 
If your network (i.e., just the router and devices) works without an internet connection to the modem then that is a good thing. If the network performance degrades when the modem is connected to the router then that narrows the possibilities.

Unfortunately many ISP techs are poorly trained, over-worked, and are often abused by customers who take out their frustrations on the tech.

Does not take much to make a cable or connection fail and intermittent connections are the worst.

When Cox came on site did you notice or did the tech mention doing any sort of cable testing: i.e., measure signal strengths and continuity?

What modem make and model is installed? You may be able to access that modem via a browser interface to customize the configuration, look at logs, do some troubleshooting, and even check incoming signal strengths. Knowing the modem make and model may lead to the applicable User Guide/Manual. Then we can see what else may be learned via the modem itself and its configuration. I will note that it is beginning to seem as if such functions are being "disabled" more and more by the ISPs and even the device manufacturers. Savy end-users are not in the ISP's best interests....

Inspect as much of the incoming coax cable as you can and as safely as you can - do not climb poles or roofs. Look for dangling, unconnected coax cables, unterminated splitters or coax outlets. They should not be just covered - they should be terminated with a special cap. Go off-premise if necessary. See if you can find any unexplained splitters - maybe someone is stealing service.

Do your cables go underground? In my area it is not at all uncommon to see the heavy duty bright orange coax cables strung along streets, sidewalks, yards, and houses. Temporary connections until some third party contractor shows up to bury a new underground cable. Rarely more than shovel deep. Wedge up the sod and drop in the cable.... Old cables are not even removed.

Anyway if you are not already doing so, keep a written record of events with Cox. Keep calling, write down names, dates, times, and honestly note what transpired. Keep calling. Remember that the Customer Service Rep. is at the bottom of the process and could well lose his or her job if they depart from the script. Agree to do the post call/visit evaluations when asked but keep the evaluation truthful and objective. Vote down the company - not the person (unless that person is demonstrately unprofessional). Many Reps are not well-trained at all and must follow some script. In all fairness though, scripts can provide a methodical approach that will resolve the majority of problems. Very annoying to be asked (I know) "is it plugged in" type questions. But, (again I know) sometimes it is not. 🙂

More immediately - the objective is to see if more can be learned via the modem and maybe even the router's logs.





 
Solution
Okay so we have the issue fixed. The tech has said with our pole in our area, there are these "nodes" he called them that are going bad and soon in the future, they will have to come and make a whole new pole, but in my area it isn't likely someone would and it would take at least a year. The modem was one of the problems as well. The coax wasn't at all because he said it was the best we could possibly have. He also says that when the Coax gets to the pole, it will get low with power or something and interfere or inter-mitt like Ralston said. With that, my router is fine, computer is fine, just since this house and it's place is like over 70 years old, something is going to have to be renewed because of old cables and wiring and poles and such. We have cables that go over our house or something, we don't do underground. Hopefully it should be good for now. When the future comes, it's time to wait for availability to prosper again.