Wired Internet with Extremely High and Variable Ping

[Weaple]

First, here's a ping plotter image of a ping to google. I think a picture will probably help describe my problems a lot easier than words.

For the past couple years I've been having ping spikes. They were somewhat rare and only really went to 800ms. But since then, they've become much more common and reach upwards to 2000ms. This issue is equally bad no matter the time. I've switched routers and modems between then and now. I've also contacted my internet provider about this issue, but have gotten no help on this issue. What can/should I do?

 

[Tumeden]

Have you been using the same PC for the past couple of years as well?

What antivirus program are you using?

 

[Weaple]

Have you been using the same PC for the past couple of years as well?

What antivirus program are you using?

I've been using the same PC for the past couple of years and my antivirus is avast. However, the issue is experienced by all PC's within the house. Some don't have antivirus.

 

[Tumeden]

Okay so for whatever reason this problem was stuck in my head last night for hours, and i thought of a few possible things it could be just from previous experiences.


Let's go with a bit of process of elimination.

#1: What is your ISP providers name?
#2: Run a speed test (curious to see what your speeds show up as) http://www.speedtest.net/
#3: Open up CMD (can be found by searching in your start menu)
- Run the command ping 192.168.0.1 (generally your router address)
- Run the command ping google.com
- Run the command ping facebook.com

What are the ping response times between each of those?

*If the ping response time is low and normal between your PC and router, it is possible the issue doesn't lie internally between any of your computers and your router itself.

*If the ping response time to both facebook, and google have terrible ping times it could mean the issue is somewhere between your router and ISP.

#4: is your router hooked up with Coaxial cable? (generally used by cable companies for TV / Internet)
If above is answered with YES than
- How many TV's do you have hooked up within your house using a coaxial cable?
- How many "splitters" have been used to run various connections to those TV's?

Reason I ask of such things is if a poor signal quality is reaching your Modem itself it could cause huge ping spikes, and loss of speed itself.

 

[abailey]

What speed is your internet service? Does it happen when only you are using the internet at your house?

 

[Weaple]

Okay so for whatever reason this problem was stuck in my head last night for hours, and i thought of a few possible things it could be just from previous experiences.


Let's go with a bit of process of elimination.

#1: What is your ISP providers name?
#2: Run a speed test (curious to see what your speeds show up as) http://www.speedtest.net/
#3: Open up CMD (can be found by searching in your start menu)
- Run the command ping 192.168.0.1 (generally your router address)
- Run the command ping google.com
- Run the command ping facebook.com

What are the ping response times between each of those?

*If the ping response time is low and normal between your PC and router, it is possible the issue doesn't lie internally between any of your computers and your router itself.

*If the ping response time to both facebook, and google have terrible ping times it could mean the issue is somewhere between your router and ISP.

#4: is your router hooked up with Coaxial cable? (generally used by cable companies for TV / Internet)
If above is answered with YES than
- How many TV's do you have hooked up within your house using a coaxial cable?
- How many "splitters" have been used to run various connections to those TV's?

Reason I ask of such things is if a poor signal quality is reaching your Modem itself it could cause huge ping spikes, and loss of speed itself.

First of all, thanks for the help. This is more than my ISP ever did for me.

My ISP is Time Warner Cable. The speed test showed I have 10MB down and 1MB up, matching with the plan I have.

Pinging my router takes 1 to 2ms. It never spikes. Pinging anywhere else results in ping spikes to 2000ms. The spikes are always on the third hop. They happen even when no one is using the internet.

I have 2 TVs in the house which use coaxial cables and I don't think we use a splitter for them.

 

[Tumeden]

Okay so for whatever reason this problem was stuck in my head last night for hours, and i thought of a few possible things it could be just from previous experiences.


Let's go with a bit of process of elimination.

#1: What is your ISP providers name?
#2: Run a speed test (curious to see what your speeds show up as) http://www.speedtest.net/
#3: Open up CMD (can be found by searching in your start menu)
- Run the command ping 192.168.0.1 (generally your router address)
- Run the command ping google.com
- Run the command ping facebook.com

What are the ping response times between each of those?

*If the ping response time is low and normal between your PC and router, it is possible the issue doesn't lie internally between any of your computers and your router itself.

*If the ping response time to both facebook, and google have terrible ping times it could mean the issue is somewhere between your router and ISP.

#4: is your router hooked up with Coaxial cable? (generally used by cable companies for TV / Internet)
If above is answered with YES than
- How many TV's do you have hooked up within your house using a coaxial cable?
- How many "splitters" have been used to run various connections to those TV's?

Reason I ask of such things is if a poor signal quality is reaching your Modem itself it could cause huge ping spikes, and loss of speed itself.

First of all, thanks for the help. This is more than my ISP ever did for me.

My ISP is Time Warner Cable. The speed test showed I have 10MB down and 1MB up, matching with the plan I have.

Pinging my router takes 1 to 2ms. It never spikes. Pinging anywhere else results in ping spikes to 2000ms. The spikes are always on the third hop. They happen even when no one is using the internet.

I have 2 TVs in the house which use coaxial cables and I don't think we use a splitter for them.

Well the sounds of it, it's definitely not the connection to the modem that is your issue, rather the connection between your Modem and your ISP.

Generally there is one main coaxial cable that runs into the house, and usually has a 3-4 way splitter where ever they run the line in, to run other coaxial cables to your TV's and Modem. On rare occasions splitters do end up failing.. Entropy, corrosion, manufacturing defects, critters, jiggling and vibration - I recommend taking a peek and seeing if it looks old and icky. Never hurts to pick up a new one either, generally can find them at a hardware store for around 5-10 dollars depending on size. Just bring the old one with you and ask for "one of these". Other then that, take a look around at your coaxial cable that runs to your modem, make sure connections on both ends are secured very tight and that there are no cracks in the wires (not sure if you have rodents, but they are terribly bad for eating through coaxial cables). If neither of these suggestions work then I can only assume it's a bad signal elsewhere. Have you ever requested a technician from your ISP to come check things out? They have tons of gadgets now that will tell them if it's a loss of signal to your modem. In some cases they run new coaxial cable, or provide a solution to amplify the signal.

Hope this helps a little, best of luck.