Question Can routers go bad over time?

[z1ggy]

Over the past week or so, my pings have spiked up a lot while gaming, I'm lagging like crazy and most of my videos are buffering. I can barely watch anything in 1080p without constant buffering during the video. I've reset my modem and router at least 10x and checked my connection speeds, which vary from 13-25mbps.

If the ISP says nothing looks unusual on their end, I'd suspect maybe my router is going bad? It's about 4-5 years old now and does get pretty hot to the touch while in use. Could it be anything else? I haven't changed anything with my games or hardware.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Sure, electronics can fail.

Who's your ISP?

Device models?

 

[z1ggy]

Sure, electronics can fail.

Who's your ISP?

Device models?

Optimum, TP Link AC1200 and a sb6121

 

[Hans Gruber]

I am going out on a limb here. Everybody is staying home because of corona virus. Streaming netflix and other services as well as teleconferencing. My guess is the backbone of the internet is overloaded. Your ISP gets their data from a backbone and they have a router that throttles connections when load is beyond capacity.

 

[SamirD]

I am going out on a limb here. Everybody is staying home because of corona virus. Streaming netflix and other services as well as teleconferencing. My guess is the backbone of the internet is overloaded. Your ISP gets their data from a backbone and they have a router that throttles connections when load is beyond capacity.

Probably some of that it is true, but let's make sure it is the isp first.

Can you connect your system directly to the modem and see how that works? Also, check your modem's status page at 192.168.100.1 for uncorrectables. If you have more than 100 of those, that can be a contributing factor.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Optimum, TP Link AC1200 and a sb6121

you should be able to get to the modem using 192.168.100.1, you can view power levels, compare with these:

https://arris.secure.force.com/consumers/articles/General_FAQs/SB6121-Cable-Signal-Levels/?l=en_US

When you're having problems, you can also run internal networks tests using iperf3 here: https://iperf.fr/iperf-download.php

What this does it tell you how the LAN itself is performing. Running windows, you will want to watch the "server" workstation the first time and allow it thru the firewall.

extract the .zip, open a command prompt and cd to the iperf3 directory. run: ipconfig to get the workstation IP

That requires two clients, the first you would run the .exe with the -s switch to tell it server mode:

iperf3.exe -s

output:
D:\Other\Tools\Network\iperf3\iperf-3.1.3-win64>iperf3.exe -s
-----------------------------------------------------------
Server listening on 5201
-----------------------------------------------------------

Then you would go to the other workstation and run the client option (i'm running the -s option on 192.168.1.29 in this scenario):

iperf3.exe -c 192.168.1.29

D:\Other\Tools\Network\iperf3\iperf-3.1.3-win64>iperf3.exe -c 192.168.1.29
Connecting to host 192.168.1.29, port 5201
[  4] local 192.168.1.99 port 53227 connected to 192.168.1.29 port 5201
[ ID] Interval           Transfer     Bandwidth
[  4]   0.00-1.00   sec   112 MBytes   936 Mbits/sec
[  4]   1.00-2.00   sec   111 MBytes   934 Mbits/sec
[  4]   2.00-3.00   sec   112 MBytes   936 Mbits/sec
[  4]   3.00-4.00   sec   111 MBytes   932 Mbits/sec
[  4]   4.00-5.00   sec   112 MBytes   942 Mbits/sec
[  4]   5.00-6.00   sec   112 MBytes   941 Mbits/sec
[  4]   6.00-7.00   sec   112 MBytes   942 Mbits/sec
[  4]   7.00-8.00   sec   112 MBytes   942 Mbits/sec
[  4]   8.00-9.00   sec   112 MBytes   941 Mbits/sec
[  4]   9.00-10.00  sec   112 MBytes   942 Mbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval           Transfer     Bandwidth
[  4]   0.00-10.00  sec  1.09 GBytes   939 Mbits/sec                  sender
[  4]   0.00-10.00  sec  1.09 GBytes   939 Mbits/sec                  receiver

 

[z1ggy]

K so still messing around a bit but i went hard wire right to my PC from the modem and my ping has dropped about 30ms and the lag in game has seemingly gone away...

I'll reconnect back to my router after just to confirm the issue comes back but I did do a speedtest and my speeds haven't gone up any... in fact DL speed actually was a bit lower.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I am going out on a limb here. Everybody is staying home because of corona virus. Streaming netflix and other services as well as teleconferencing. My guess is the backbone of the internet is overloaded. Your ISP gets their data from a backbone and they have a router that throttles connections when load is beyond capacity.

I think there is some truth to this, my Fios has always been consistently fast. Now there are slow moments, particularly with YouTube.

 

[z1ggy]

Here's a snap of my router page data

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I just noticed the “it’s pretty hot to touch” part.
I’m no expert but I do know heat is a bad thing with electronics and typically a sign something is wrong.

 

[z1ggy]

I just noticed the “it’s pretty hot to touch” part.
I’m no expert but I do know heat is a bad thing with electronics and typically a sign something is wrong.

Yeah I was shocked how hot it felt, especially underneath.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Delete your cache files and reboot your computer.

 

[SamirD]

I think there is some truth to this, my Fios has always been consistently fast. Now there are slow moments, particularly with YouTube.

I have broadband monitors on all 4 of the isp accounts I check on and I've seen some extra latency and packet loss as well, but only at random times. I haven't been able to say conclusively that it's due to extra traffic--for me at least.

 

[SamirD]

Yeah I was shocked how hot it felt, especially underneath.

Get a fan on it asap and see if that helps. That's probably hotter than it was designed for.

 

[Hans Gruber]

This is a pro tip. Never use the routers as switches. A wifi router is only good for wifi. Get a stand alone switch to handle lan traffic. I think they put together wireless routers as cheaply as possible and throw in a bunch of features to hit a price point. The performance in most cases doesn't meet the consumers expectations.

I think a mesh network with a 8 or 16 port switch is the way to go.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You're only using an SB6121? That's a 4x4 DOCSIS 3.0 modem.

At least move up to a 16x4 or 24x8 modem.

The reason being, is that it "spreads the load around" between more channels, thus lowering the overall bandwidth impact on any one particular channel.

You, being limited to only 4 downstream channels, are going to get hosed, and see more inconsistent bandwidth, if someone else happens to take up a lot of bandwidth on one of those channels.

In short, for a better, smoother-functioning cable node, you want the CPE modems to have at least 16 downstream channels, if not 24 or 32. At least with Comcast.

Shop for a new modem, and if your router is overheating, that might be contributing too to the increased ping, if the router is actually overheating and the SoC is throttling, but I have a feeling, that you should look at your obsolete modem first.

 

[z1ggy]

This is a pro tip. Never use the routers as switches. A wifi router is only good for wifi. Get a stand alone switch to handle lan traffic. I think they put together wireless routers as cheaply as possible and throw in a bunch of features to hit a price point. The performance in most cases doesn't meet the consumers expectations.

I think a mesh network with a 8 or 16 port switch is the way to go.

Well, it is just a router most of the time, I'm running the PC off a ASUS wifi adapter. I only went hard wire right out of the model to take the router out of the equation to see if I could produce difference results, which I did.

The problem is of course, I can't not have a router. My wife watches Netflix these days almost 24/7, which is probably part of the issue Virtual Larry is describing.

You're only using an SB6121? That's a 4x4 DOCSIS 3.0 modem.

At least move up to a 16x4 or 24x8 modem.

The reason being, is that it "spreads the load around" between more channels, thus lowering the overall bandwidth impact on any one particular channel.

You, being limited to only 4 downstream channels, are going to get hosed, and see more inconsistent bandwidth, if someone else happens to take up a lot of bandwidth on one of those channels.

In short, for a better, smoother-functioning cable node, you want the CPE modems to have at least 16 downstream channels, if not 24 or 32. At least with Comcast.

Shop for a new modem, and if your router is overheating, that might be contributing too to the increased ping, if the router is actually overheating and the SoC is throttling, but I have a feeling, that you should look at your obsolete modem first.

Makes sense. Is there a way to designate vertain clients to certain channels so things don't get clogged? Even when my wife isn't on Netflix it's still slow, but when she goes on it... my pings are going up over 100ms, which while on a server that's in TX... means I have no chance at a smooth game.

Totally fine with buying new modem though if I have to. Any that you'd suggest?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Well, it is just a router most of the time, I'm running the PC off a ASUS wifi adapter. I only went hard wire right out of the model to take the router out of the equation to see if I could produce difference results, which I did.

The problem is of course, I can't not have a router. My wife watches Netflix these days almost 24/7, which is probably part of the issue Virtual Larry is describing.

Makes sense. Is there a way to designate vertain clients to certain channels so things don't get clogged? Even when my wife isn't on Netflix it's still slow, but when she goes on it... my pings are going up over 100ms, which while on a server that's in TX... means I have no chance at a smooth game.

Totally fine with buying new modem though if I have to. Any that you'd suggest?

If you have a best buy nearby they likely sell a modem/router certified to work with your cable company.
Amazon works too just you need to know what type of modem is required doc-something or is it a fiber connection that needs a more conventional router.
Minor warning is sometimes some services for TV go thru the modem, like pay per view expensive rentals or with Fios the channel guide.
Replacing and owning your unit is pretty simple, plug it in and call the cable company to have them update their serial number, wait maybe 10 minutes and everything just works.

 

[z1ggy]

If you have a best buy nearby they likely sell a modem/router certified to work with your cable company.
Amazon works too just you need to know what type of modem is required doc-something or is it a fiber connection that needs a more conventional router.
Minor warning is sometimes some services for TV go thru the modem, like pay per view expensive rentals or with Fios the channel guide.
Replacing and owning your unit is pretty simple, plug it in and call the cable company to have them update their serial number, wait maybe 10 minutes and everything just works.

So back when I had.... whatever cable company it was like 8-10 yrs ago and I had my own modem (heh prob this one...) I do remember having to call them and set things up, reading off serial number, etc.

When we moved here and set up our cable/ internet, I don't remember having to do that type of thing. We have Optimum 25/5 I'm pretty sure, and a very simple Plasma TV, with whatever their basic DVR is. I don't think anything special is going on with the modem in particular. I will go on their website though to pull up the list of approved modems because I'm sure there are many on Amazon that won't work.

w.r.t to Bestbuy... I'm sure there's one within 15 minutes... but I'm not super keen on leaving the house these days unless I really have to. I'm in the NYC area and going near people right now is just not a solid idea.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

So back when I had.... whatever cable company it was like 8-10 yrs ago and I had my own modem (heh prob this one...) I do remember having to call them and set things up, reading off serial number, etc.

When we moved here and set up our cable/ internet, I don't remember having to do that type of thing. We have Optimum 25/5 I'm pretty sure, and a very simple Plasma TV, with whatever their basic DVR is. I don't think anything special is going on with the modem in particular. I will go on their website though to pull up the list of approved modems because I'm sure there are many on Amazon that won't work.

w.r.t to Bestbuy... I'm sure there's one within 15 minutes... but I'm not super keen on leaving the house these days unless I really have to. I'm in the NYC area and going near people right now is just not a solid idea.

Yeah, Amazon is the way to go then.

 

[ch33zw1z]

At 25/5 down/up, the 6121 is more than enough for your speeds.

purchasing a new modem won't fix a failing router.

If your router is the failing device, focus on that first.

 

[mxnerd]

Netflix requirement:

Netflix-recommended internet speeds

Check if your internet connection meets our recommended download speeds to watch TV shows, movies, or live events on Netflix in high quality and without interruption.

help.netflix.com

• 5.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for HD quality
• 25 Megabits per second - Recommended for Ultra HD quality

SB6121 can handle 172 Mbps download and 131 Mbps upload, it's not modem's problem. It's your 25/5 plan.

http://gditechnology.com/manuals/Motorola-SB6121_Data_Sheet.pdf

 

[z1ggy]

Netflix requirement:

Netflix-recommended internet speeds

Check if your internet connection meets our recommended download speeds to watch TV shows, movies, or live events on Netflix in high quality and without interruption.

help.netflix.com

• 5.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for HD quality
• 25 Megabits per second - Recommended for Ultra HD quality

SB6121 can handle 172 Mbps download and 131 Mbps upload, it's not modem's problem. It's your 25/5 plan.

http://gditechnology.com/manuals/Motorola-SB6121_Data_Sheet.pdf

Yeah I was going to ask - is 25/5 even enough anymore? I assume a lot of Netflix is in 4k now... and even if not, probably everything will default to 1080p, which my dingle berry wife loves to watch Netflix in ultra HD plus be on her phone using wifi to browse Instagram and FB, all while I'm trying to game online.

Optimum says 25 down should be enough to have multiple devices running HD streaming... but at max load + a meh router, could that be causing ping spikes?

 

[ch33zw1z]

Hey man, sounds like you need more speed or to move to a vlan setup with some throttling. Turn on the throttling when you wanna game, turn it off when youre done....or don't

 

[z1ggy]

Hey man, sounds like you need more speed or to move to a vlan setup with some throttling. Turn on the throttling when you wanna game, turn it off when youre done....or don't

Haha and she bitches that our internet already costs too much...yet she's the one probably clogging tings up!