Ethernet Drop Out

[Janoba7]

Hi there,

I've had this issue for a few months now, and have decided to ask for help rather than just deal with it. For some reason, whenever im playing an online game, my ethernet connection drops it recieve speed to 0Mbps and it freezes everything happening in the game for a couple seconds. This usually happens when enemies are on the screen, which is quite frustrating. This is a screenshot of my task manager from when its happening. I'm also using a Powerline adapter for my ethernet. Any help would be appreciated.

[Windows7ge]

As a temporary test you can try running a cable directly to your Router but this sounds like a software/application issue. Usually in the event of this your only options are to try re-installing them because the bugs are usually rooted in places nobody has experience with troubleshooting except the app/driver developers.

[zinton]

Does this happen with a sustained load like a download? 

[TensorVortex]

Try intel drivers, don't use microsoft ones

[Janoba7]

19 minutes ago, zinton said:

Does this happen with a sustained load like a download? 

no it doesnt, only seems to be in games

 

[Janoba7]

25 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

As a temporary test you can try running a cable directly to your Router but this sounds like a software/application issue. Usually in the event of this your only options are to try re-installing them because the bugs are usually rooted in places nobody has experience with troubleshooting except the app/driver developers.

i've tried reinstalling the games, doesnt change anything

 

[Windows7ge]

Just now, Janoba7 said:

i've tried reinstalling the games, doesnt change anything

 

Could be network driver related. You could try re-installing that.

[Janoba7]

16 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

Could be network driver related. You could try re-installing that.

tried that then and just said that they're all up to date

[Janoba7]

19 minutes ago, TensorVortex said:

Try intel drivers, don't use microsoft ones

yeah its current drivers are intel ones

 

[Windows7ge]

2 minutes ago, Janoba7 said:

tried that then and just said that they're all up to date

How did you check them? Though Device Manager? Windows ability to download all the right drivers and the latest versions at that are something I wouldn't trust. You'd want to go to the manufacturers website of the NIC. Uninstall the current driver inside Control Panel and re-install the driver you downloaded.

[Janoba7]

Just now, Windows7ge said:

How did you check them? Though Device Manager? Windows ability to download all the right drivers and the latest versions at that are something I wouldn't trust. You'd want to go to the manufacturers website of the NIC. Uninstall the current driver inside Control Panel and re-install the driver you downloaded.

im currently using the mobo's ethernet port, so would i just go to mobo's manufac website?

[Windows7ge]

1 minute ago, Janoba7 said:

im currently using the mobo's ethernet port, so would i just go to mobo's manufac website?

Yep. Re-installing your Ethernet driver is kind of a shot in the dark. These types of issues are always hard to troubleshoot when you never hear of other people having success troubleshooting them.

[Janoba7]

12 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

How did you check them? Though Device Manager? Windows ability to download all the right drivers and the latest versions at that are something I wouldn't trust. You'd want to go to the manufacturers website of the NIC. Uninstall the current driver inside Control Panel and re-install the driver you downloaded.

also, how would one uninstall a driver?

[TensorVortex]

it's best using intel's driver from intel support site. the oem driver are not usually up to date.

 

but yah it doesn';t feel like driver issue, try speedtest see if it finsh, and try ping google or something to see any hiccup.

[Windows7ge]

21 minutes ago, Janoba7 said:

also, how would one uninstall a driver?

Click "Start" -> Type "Control Panel" -> Hit Enter -> "Uninstall a program" under Programs

 

Find the program/driver you want to uninstall and uninstall it.

 

But as TensorVortex said and I'll re-iterate it's just a shot in the dark. Honestly, probably won't make a difference but it's something you can try in the absence of a better possible solution.

[ElSeniorTaco]

Power line you say?

 

Is the powerline connected to the same outlet as the computer?

IF so, move it, connect it somewhere else.
maybe when your graphics card spins up hard, it is introducing noise into the line, especially that outlet, and even more especially if that outlet is old.
 

Change your outlets on both ends for new ones if you know how, its only like $1.50 each.
I do this for all of my powerline adapters, its the only way to really secure a confident care free connection with these things.

You may also be suffering from packet loss somewhere else.
If a router or switch is on the fritz, it may surge and drop connections when activity ramps up,
If you have a modem on the fritz, it might drop and regain internet at random

 

You should start by doing a ping test.
open several command prompts.
run ping in each one
ping -n 1000 google.com
ping -n 1000 127.0.0.1           

ping -n 1000 192.168.1.1       (OR WHATEVER YOUR ROUTER IP IS)

You can change the number 1000 to 10000+ if you need to run the ping test for a longer duration.
To stop the test you can run Control - C

look for reply's, you are looking to see if any of the pings fail to respond.
This might only happen once or twice in a sea of success.
You may also fire this set of pings up and monitor the pings for drops while you play your game.


If you see all items skipping, there could be an issue with windows, a driver, or the hardware it's self, 
If you see just google.com (or your place of choice) skipping,  your modem is on the fritz or something down the line might be screwed.
Then its your job to complain to the ISP, get a modem replaced first then move forward from there.

 

(keep in mind your modem might be an all in one, as in, your modem might also technically be your router/switch as well.)

 

However, if you see 192.168.1.1 (or your router / gateway IP) skip a beat and/or both google.com and 192.168.1.1 skip a beat...,
then you could have an issue between your nic and the switch/router/modem, like a bad connection with your powerline

or your switch/router/modem on the lan side is on the fritz

Those modem/router combo deals you get from your ISP can have funky hardware issues.
You can run into one that has a dead/dying lan side and a good wan side or visa versa
Or just one or two ports dying, etc.

 

But your powerline is probably 90% chance the issue

I have owned a number of them, they are fidgety and do odd ball things when the connection is wonky

Or you have them to close to high current devices, electric motors etc.

 

Replace the outlet or move the powerline device to a different outlet in the room,
Make sure the powerline adapter cannot wiggle in the outlet.

If it does, that outlet is worn out, and it will not give you the good conduction you need to make a stable connection.

 

Ensure you get a steady green light for good connectivity.

If you check the light even now and its flashing or not steady, most likely you have a bad connection even at idle.
 

You can also turn on everything in the room including firing up your game, and see if the connection strength light flickers from green to yellow/red, etc.
 

 

IF you cannot replace the outlet due to lack of skill, time, etc you'll have to pick the best outlet in the room and use it to the best of your abilities.

THIS APPLIES TO BOTH DEVICES ON BOTH ENDS!

I've even had to tighten wiring up in breakers, outlets, etc.

You'll be surprised by what you find, I was almost yelling on some of my finds.

Some people put laziness over safety, and for some reason hate the ground wire and everything it stands for......

 

Try this out,

And let us know what the ping test result in.

Those will give us an idea of what devices are involved in the packet loss you are experiencing.
 

[Janoba7]

3 hours ago, ElSeniorTaco said:

Power line you say?

 

Is the powerline connected to the same outlet as the computer?

IF so, move it, connect it somewhere else.
maybe when your graphics card spins up hard, it is introducing noise into the line, especially that outlet, and even more especially if that outlet is old.
 

Change your outlets on both ends for new ones if you know how, its only like $1.50 each.
I do this for all of my powerline adapters, its the only way to really secure a confident care free connection with these things.

You may also be suffering from packet loss somewhere else.
If a router or switch is on the fritz, it may surge and drop connections when activity ramps up,
If you have a modem on the fritz, it might drop and regain internet at random

 

You should start by doing a ping test.
open several command prompts.
run ping in each one
ping -n 1000 google.com
ping -n 1000 127.0.0.1           

ping -n 1000 192.168.1.1       (OR WHATEVER YOUR ROUTER IP IS)

You can change the number 1000 to 10000+ if you need to run the ping test for a longer duration.
To stop the test you can run Control - C

look for reply's, you are looking to see if any of the pings fail to respond.
This might only happen once or twice in a sea of success.
You may also fire this set of pings up and monitor the pings for drops while you play your game.


If you see all items skipping, there could be an issue with windows, a driver, or the hardware it's self, 
If you see just google.com (or your place of choice) skipping,  your modem is on the fritz or something down the line might be screwed.
Then its your job to complain to the ISP, get a modem replaced first then move forward from there.

 

(keep in mind your modem might be an all in one, as in, your modem might also technically be your router/switch as well.)

 

However, if you see 192.168.1.1 (or your router / gateway IP) skip a beat and/or both google.com and 192.168.1.1 skip a beat...,
then you could have an issue between your nic and the switch/router/modem, like a bad connection with your powerline

or your switch/router/modem on the lan side is on the fritz

Those modem/router combo deals you get from your ISP can have funky hardware issues.
You can run into one that has a dead/dying lan side and a good wan side or visa versa
Or just one or two ports dying, etc.

 

But your powerline is probably 90% chance the issue

I have owned a number of them, they are fidgety and do odd ball things when the connection is wonky

Or you have them to close to high current devices, electric motors etc.

 

Replace the outlet or move the powerline device to a different outlet in the room,
Make sure the powerline adapter cannot wiggle in the outlet.

If it does, that outlet is worn out, and it will not give you the good conduction you need to make a stable connection.

 

Ensure you get a steady green light for good connectivity.

If you check the light even now and its flashing or not steady, most likely you have a bad connection even at idle.
 

You can also turn on everything in the room including firing up your game, and see if the connection strength light flickers from green to yellow/red, etc.
 

 

IF you cannot replace the outlet due to lack of skill, time, etc you'll have to pick the best outlet in the room and use it to the best of your abilities.

THIS APPLIES TO BOTH DEVICES ON BOTH ENDS!

I've even had to tighten wiring up in breakers, outlets, etc.

You'll be surprised by what you find, I was almost yelling on some of my finds.

Some people put laziness over safety, and for some reason hate the ground wire and everything it stands for......

 

Try this out,

And let us know what the ping test result in.

Those will give us an idea of what devices are involved in the packet loss you are experiencing.
 

These are what came out of it;

 

Ping statistics for 216.58.203.110: (Google)
    Packets: Sent = 500, Received = 496, Lost = 4 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 12ms, Maximum = 71ms, Average = 21ms

 

Ping statistics for 10.1.1.1: (Router)
    Packets: Sent = 500, Received = 498, Lost = 2 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 1ms, Maximum = 33ms, Average = 9ms

 

If the powerline is an issue, should i invest in getting actual ethernet ports put into my wall?

[Janoba7]

Also, the only thing plugged into the powerline adapters passthrough is my 5port network switch, which does everything other than my pc,as i thought that might have been the issue. everything plugged into the switch is usually turned off, xbox, ps4 and 2nd pc. my main pc is plugged into the second port on the powerline adapter