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Question

Ping spikes on wired connection to router

Apr 17, 2018 7:43PM PDT

Hi,

I am getting regular ping spikes when connected with a wired connection to my router.

Using the SAME cable and PC, if I bypass the router and connect straight to the modem, there are no spikes.

Here is an example of what it looks like:



Ping test on http://www.meter.net/ping-test/. Spikes are only ~0.2-0.5 seconds long, but easily detected here, which pings several times a second. Spikes are about +200ms over the base ping.



Pinging the router in cmd: Spikes are detected less frequently since it only pings once per second and often "misses" them.



There is no packet loss, but the ping spikes are steady.

Again, I'm pretty sure it's not an ISP, cable, or modem issue, since taking the router out of the equation fixes it.

This is an old router (d-link DIR-601), so that could have something to do with it, but if possible I'd like to get it to work rather than replacing it. I did an update to the latest firmware, which helped! The spikes happened every 4-5 seconds before the update, and are more like 15-20 seconds after. It's still bad for gaming though.

Any suggestions for fixes I could make?

Post was last edited on April 17, 2018 7:46 PM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Since you found out it's the router.
Apr 18, 2018 6:30AM PDT

I worry that you need to read to try other routers and of course latest firmware in this router.

If you are doing ping tests you can not have WiFi enabled on the router. Hopefully you know why.

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Clarification
Apr 19, 2018 1:40AM PDT

Latest firmware is installed (like I said, that actually helped, but didn't eliminate the spikes. They were more frequent before the firmware update).

I don't actually need to use the router for Wifi, that's just for my roommates and they don't game. I only plan to use the wired connection, but I would like to have steady ping on it (for gaming).

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As long as WiFi is enabled I expect spikes.
Apr 19, 2018 8:22AM PDT
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PS. I should have added why to disable WiFi.
Apr 19, 2018 8:57AM PDT

There are two sources for the spikes with WiFi on.

1. The little CPU in the router has to work harder on WiFi connections than wired.
2. Any traffic will cause a delay. So for gamers, testers and such we have to dedicate the connection to their use exclusively.

Now you could mitigate the impact with that W10 tweak along with using a WAP instead of this router's WAP (see google.) Or google "How to use a router as a WAP if you have an old spare router.

Or get a high performance router but still you should seen variations due to local use. Any ping changes when dedicated are then all about the ISP and Internet conditions.

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Answer
Upgrade your home network system!
Apr 19, 2018 8:45AM PDT

Recommend you to download the latest D-link software system! If it not work, you need to chage a faster Router. LB-LINK AC 1200 dual band wifi router, now I am using it.