What's new

Was able to pinpoint my AX58U V1 as the culprit of ping spikes during wired gaming. What to do? Spectrum Internet

  • SNBForums Code of Conduct

    SNBForums is a community for everyone, no matter what their level of experience.

    Please be tolerant and patient of others, especially newcomers. We are all here to share and learn!

    The rules are simple: Be patient, be nice, be helpful or be gone!

bluestripes43

New Around Here
Hey guys.

Have been suffering from ping spikes and packet loss for the past few years now, but recently it has gotten worse.

ISP: Spectrum (500 down, 20 up)
Router: AX58U V1 (used both ASUS and Merlin Firmware)

Devices in network:
PC - Hard wired via Cat6
2.4 band - Smart TV
5.0 band - 2 iPhones and 1 Samsung Phone

Primary issues:
- Frequent ping fluctuations and only OUTGOING packet loss. This occurs with or without network load from other devices.


I have been experiencing very frequent and noticeable ping spikes when playing tac shooters where consistent latency matters. After going back and forth with Spectrum for days now, I can safely say the router is the problem. After getting their techs out to replace the drop line and to inspect my signals, everything is fine on their end. I decided to do extensive testing with just my PC connected directly to the modem, and all of my issues have disappeared. When connected directly to the modem, my ping graph is much tighter and outgoing packet loss is very rare.

Attached are two images referencing my in-game ping graphs, one when wired to the router and the other when wired directly to the modem. QoS does not work (tried adaptive, traditional, Cake). My wireless devices do not use much bandwidth at all.
Over the years, I have tried multiple routers - Back in 2021, I tried the Nighthawk XR500, and I've been on the AX58U for about 2 years now. Took a break from competitive shooters, so I stopped caring about the issues, but now that I'm playing a lot again, the inconsistency in latency is quite noticeable and frustrating. Any ideas?

I will be going to Best Buy to try out the AX86U Pro today to see if anything changes. Have tried a lot of troubleshooting over the years and would like any input. Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • ping with router.png
    ping with router.png
    18.9 KB · Views: 18
  • ping with modem.png
    ping with modem.png
    15.2 KB · Views: 17
Do this test:

Triple check all ethernet cabling and ports.
Hey Tiddly.

I have checked all ethernet cabling and ports. The only factor that changes things is the router. I just ran to Best Buy and grabbed the AX86U, and it's still the same. Is it my configuration? I currently only have one device on the network and it's my PC hardwired.
 
Do you have a cable modem or one of those AIO gateway/modem/router devices?

You are describing two problems.
1. bufferbloat issues - What did the buffer bloat test say especially for "low latency gaming?"
2. wan packet loss - Are you experiencing packet loss to everywhere or just gaming? How many hops before packet loss?


WinMTR will show you packet loss in a nice GUI.

Here is a nice write up on how to run it:
I have an MB8600 for my modem.

Is bufferbloat the issue if I'm the only device on the network?

When I was wired from my PC directly to the modem last night, I got full speeds (500+ down, 20 up).

When I'm wired to my router as the only device on the network, I'm getting 500 down, 5 up (sometimes get 20), outgoing packet loss, and ping fluctuations. Here's my test right now with the router connected and my PC as the only device. I will do another test when hardwiring directly to the modem. Give me a few minutes.


1726687254433.png
 
Do you have a cable modem or one of those AIO gateway/modem/router devices?

You are describing two problems.
1. bufferbloat issues - What did the buffer bloat test say especially for "low latency gaming?"
2. wan packet loss - Are you experiencing packet loss to everywhere or just gaming? How many hops before packet loss?


WinMTR will show you packet loss in a nice GUI.

Here is a nice write up on how to run it:
Here's the test with being hardwired to the modem. The upload ping is much better here, and is also evident when playing games as I'm not getting packet loss on the outbound side.

1726687669685.png
 
Bufferbloat is what would cause your gaming to potentially lag. Even bypassed, you still have issues.

You can boot a linux live cd and run the test again to rule out windows issues.

The Nighthawk XR500, AX58U, and AX86U Pro all produce the same results? I would go buy new solid copper cat5e cables from a reputable source to rule out cabling.
Yes all those have the same result. The most consistent result is hardwiring directly to modem. It's weird bc this issue persists with my MB8600 and Spectrum's provided modem. Have tried solid copper cat5e and shielded cat8 as well.
 

Latest threads

Support SNBForums w/ Amazon

If you'd like to support SNBForums, just use this link and buy anything on Amazon. Thanks!

Sign Up For SNBForums Daily Digest

Get an update of what's new every day delivered to your mailbox. Sign up here!
Top