WTF, router edition.

[_Chase_]

Okay, I need some help from the Paddock IT department. I have TWC internet. I have their "ultimate" which is supposed to be 50 download speed. For the last several months I've not been getting close to 50, more like 12-25. I contacted TWC and they reset my modem (Arris sb6141) and asked me to check the speed hard wired directly to the modem. So, I did so, and I was getting 50-54 connected directly to the modem. But on wifi, still just getting 12-25. I then hard wired to the router, and still 12-25.

I figured maybe I needed a new router since I hadn't gotten one in a few years, so I just purchased the linksys 3200ac. I set it up, and it's the exact same thing. Significantly slower, even hard wired to the router, than it is hard wired directly to the modem. I was on the phone with linksys trying all kinds of **** for close to 2 hours, before the guy finally said the router I just bought was defective, that he's never seen that problem before, and to just return it to the store.

Does anyone have a clue what the deal is? I'm not computer "technical jargon" savvy, so please dumb it down the best you can.

Should I take the router back, ditch the 6141, and purchase a combo modem/router? Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

Not an IT guy but every single one will tell you not to buy a combo modem/router. And the big problem is TWC sucks. They sell more speed than they have bandwidth capable of handling.

I work out of my house. During the day when most people are gone I get blazing speed. You can set your clock by the huge slowdown that starts at 6:00 pm when people start getting home and all connecting.

 

[parrott]

Okay, I need some help from the Paddock IT department. I have TWC internet. I have their "ultimate" which is supposed to be 50 download speed. For the last several months I've not been getting close to 50, more like 12-25. I contacted TWC and they reset my modem (Arris sb6141) and asked me to check the speed hard wired directly to the modem. So, I did so, and I was getting 50-54 connected directly to the modem. But on wifi, still just getting 12-25. I then hard wired to the router, and still 12-25.

I figured maybe I needed a new router since I hadn't gotten one in a few years, so I just purchased the linksys 3200ac. I set it up, and it's the exact same thing. Significantly slower, even hard wired to the router, than it is hard wired directly to the modem. I was on the phone with linksys trying all kinds of **** for close to 2 hours, before the guy finally said the router I just bought was defective, that he's never seen that problem before, and to just return it to the store.

Does anyone have a clue what the deal is? I'm not computer "technical jargon" savvy, so please dumb it down the best you can.

Should I take the router back, ditch the 6141, and purchase a combo modem/router? Any suggestions would be helpful.

What router are you using -- Netgear maybe? Could be a configuration with the router itself or it could be hardware which would need replacing. The router -- if Netgear -- does support a Help Desk which you can call and they can do some analysis but they'll also try and upsell you to a yearly service contract so be careful there.

Don't think it's modem related (obviously) since you're able to get expected performance by hardwiring. If not configuration (router) related but you may have had really bad luck with 2 hardware issues.

Would go the router help desk approach first to eliminate any type of configuration or setup issues -- which are not always readily apparent on install. Just my 2 cents.

 

[_Chase_]

I was using a Netgear WNDR4000 and when it wasn't getting the speed I was getting hard wiring directly to the modem, I switched to a Linksys AC3200. The Linksys proceeded to do the exact same thing.

I can't help but feel that TWC is f*cking me somehow, but I really don't understand. If I'm getting my correct speeds hard wired into the modem, shouldn't I be getting the exact same speed hard wired into the router?

 

[allabouttheUK]

I would be willing to bet that it has something to do with the cable running to your house. I had somewhat the same issue several years ago. I called multiple times and complained, and nothing ever got resolved. They sent out three different techs two of which were lazy and didn't do anything at all. The third checked the cable from the modem all the way out to the utility pole and found a spot that damn squirrels had been screwing with. He replaced it and I have been fine ever since.
There is a slight slow down during high traffic hours, but nothing I can't deal with.

 

[bluelifer]

It likely has more to do with TWC being ******** than anything. That should always be your first consideration.

 

[_Chase_]

It wouldn't shock me if that was the case, but that doesn't quite seem right here. I am getting the correct speeds if I connect directly to the modem. It's only when I connect the router to the modem, and then directly connect to the router, that I am getting a little less than half the speed I am paying for. And it's happening on both routers I've used.

 

[funKYcat75]

It wouldn't shock me if that was the case, but that doesn't quite seem right here. I am getting the correct speeds if I connect directly to the modem. It's only when I connect the router to the modem, and then directly connect to the router, that I am getting a little less than half the speed I am paying for. And it's happening on both routers I've used.

I'm pretty much a dumb when it comes to wireless technology, but would a dual-band router have anything to do with this problem? I need to educate myself more on this, but I'll leave it to the Paddock College Technoballs

 

[TheEgyptianMagician]

skimmed through replies tl;dr,

your problem isn't the modem or router, it is the device you are using to connect to wifi. age of laptop or what is it?

 

[allabouttheUK]

Gonna ask a question and I'm not being an ***. What is the speed rating on the router? Did you configure the router or use the quick setup?

 

[_Chase_]

Well I might have just lucked into fixing it. In my router setting it was listed as IPv4 and I switched it to IPv6 and when I ran a speed test I got 60.

 

[allabouttheUK]

Well I might have just lucked into fixing it. In my router setting it was listed as IPv4 and I switched it to IPv6 and when I ran a speed test I got 60.

How is the surfing on the laptop?

 

[_Chase_]

How is the surfing on the laptop?

I haven't tried the laptop yet. I changed the settings from my iPad.


Is there anything I should be aware of switching from IPv4 to IPv6? Any chance I screwed something up that I wouldn't know about? All I know is my speeds seem to be what they are supposed to be on my iPad. Haven't checked other devices yet.

 

[allabouttheUK]

might want to check the rest of your wireless devices and see if you are still connected. Some may not be able to translate the IPv6 address depending on age.

 

[_Chase_]

might want to check the rest of your wireless devices and see if you are still connected. Some may not be able to translate the IPv6 address depending on age.

Ok thanks, I'll do that.

 

[-LEK-]

It wouldn't shock me if that was the case, but that doesn't quite seem right here. I am getting the correct speeds if I connect directly to the modem. It's only when I connect the router to the modem, and then directly connect to the router, that I am getting a little less than half the speed I am paying for. And it's happening on both routers I've used.

Its not the chord to the house, if it was, you wouldnt be getting 50mbps. Sorry if this is long:

It sounds like the advice here checks out, but you still should be getting speeds up to 50mbps at ipv4. If switching the connection to tipv6 works, I would say youre good.

Somethings to add: It could be your ethernet cable connecting the devices (router/modem). If your router is old, try and upgrade it. (edit, doesnt look that bad 2013, but could be an issue, maybe upgrade the firmware of the router). There are different types of ethernet chords and if its old, may not be able to handle the surge (which would be my guess)

When calling TWC, always ask for tier 3. They are the ones who can walk you through it.

I agree it is probably your device, but there are other factors that affect speed. The number of devices connected and the amount of interference coming from other devices (sounds crazy, but a lot of devices can cause interference like appliances, depending on how new.) Also, your walls, and how big your house is could affect speed. You may look into an extender or relay for parts of your house that have low wifi signal.I would make sure you are regularly deleting your internet browser history and cookies, like once a week, as cookies have become more prominent in the last few years and are known to "clog" speeds.

Try disconnecting all devices that use wireless, and using only one. If you have netflix or appletv or ps3 , etc that runs wireless, they are known as bandwidth hogs, sometimes taking half your speed. You have to adjust their settings.

Try going into the router and changing a few settings as well: (I assume you know how since you changed settings) but the default log in is 192.168.1.1

Just open a browser that is connected and type that in. The easiest way to describe the dual band is comparing it to a stream of water. the 2.4 is a fatter stream, but not as much velocity. the 5 is a faster speeds, but higher pressure. You going to run better at 5, but not as many devices can jump on.

The default wireless channel is 6. Try using 1 or 11 (this can help with interference.)

Also, you could have a bad ethernet port, so maybe try switching out the ports.

http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/WNDR4000/WNDR4000_UM_06May2013.pdf

 

[_Chase_]

So now I'm sometimes getting 50, sometimes 40, sometimes 30, sometimes 20, sometimes 15, all within a 2 or 3 minute test period. And of course, I'm still getting an amber light on my modem which means its not recognizing that my router is gigabit. It's been doing that since I reset my router and modem last night. I have no clue why it won't recognize it. I've unplugge and plugged it in several times.

Also, you apparently can't update the firmware of the sb6141, unless your ISP pushes and update to you; however, ISPs won't do that since you own the router.

My patience is wearing very, very thin at this point.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

So the issue lies somewhere after the Modem, as the modem gets ~50mb down. Maybe the ethernet cord going to the router? Swap that guy out. Firmware updates to the router?

It's not the computer. Speedtest is Speedtest.

 

[_Chase_]

The ethernet cord I used to get 50 hard wired is the ethernet cord I'm connecting to the modem. Router's firmware is updated.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Well, if it's hitting 50mbs, at least sometimes, that rules out a lot of things. That's good. It;s not the cord going between router and modem (well it could still be.. but doubtful). With varying results, I imagine as LEK said, it's interference... walls, appliances, old structure..

As for IPV4 and IPV6, that's not going to be the issue. You shouldn't *have* to change that to get the correct pipe speed from TWC.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I run TWC's highest package so when I'm watching por.. err.. so I can work more efficiently. I run IPv4 and still get 50 down.

 

[_Chase_]

Any idea why it would go from 15 to 60 immediately when I switched from IPV4 to IPV6? After that initial test it seems to have gradually gotten a little slower, back down into the 20s and 30s rather than staying up near 40 or 50.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'm modest in my networking troubleshooting. We have a team for that.

But IPv6 and 4 are really just addressing changes. It was put in place to accommodate a growing number of devices. There are other reasons, and there's other things that go into IPv6. Maybe something with NAT? I don't have an answer to "why?", but I do know that there's no reason you can't get the proper speeds on IPv4.

 

[_Chase_]

Should I just say piss on it and return the router, and purchase the Arris SBG6782AC? At least then I'm only dealing with one physical device. Would it suit my needs though? We have 50mbs (supposedly), and we stream a lot of video in our house. Kids use phones/ipads for netflix and youtube, and I just got a 4K TV that I am trying to stream 4K video with.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Also, and thinking out loud here, could it be the time of day? OP tried at night when probably the entire neighborhood is streaming, gaming, fapping.. mornings will always give faster speeds as it's one of the quieter times of day. I'm not sure if that would show in Speedtest, though? Someone could probably answer that.

 

[_Chase_]

That may have something to do with it, but I did a speed test, it was like 15, then I immediately switched to IPV6, did a speed test, and it was 60. So the tests were maybe 1 minute apart.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

General consensus is to keep modem and router seperate. But there's something to be said for simplicity. I can't comment on your tech knowledge, but there are definitely people I would recommend an all-in-one device. Depending on the person, it may make sense.

 

[_Chase_]

My tech knowledge is powered by google. So that's pretty much all you need to know about it. When it comes to setting up a network, I don't know much.

 

[argubs2]

I'd have TWC check the modem for a speed governor configuration setting for external devices. If you're getting 50+ down directly from the modem, no reason you shouldn't be getting the exact same speed on that Linksys.

I'd bet a million it's something to do with that. Network congestion is a very real thing if you live in a populated area but if you run 50/60 down directly from the modem and 15/20 down from the router within seconds of each other, it isn't congestion.

Also agree that it's best to have separate modem and router. You have the right setup, just have to get it working. I have TWC with an Arris DG860 with a Netgear R6250 (AC) as the router. Consistently get 60 down 6 up from my router over wifi on AC devices and anything hardwired to it.

 

[-LEK-]

How do you disconnected all the devices? Also have you tried switching the channels?

 

[bluelifer]

Sounds like the smart folks have you covered regarding the tech aspects.

No matter what they tell you, never forget that TWC (and any other tech entity) are saturated with ********. There's probably a dude at TWC HQ monitoring your every move and intentionally screwing with you. His ******* cronies are looking over his shoulder, wagering on how long it takes you lose your mind and murder someone.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Ain't that the truth. ISP's are just dirt merchants. They have you by the balls, they know they have you by the balls, and they aren't afraid to tighten their grip..

 

[allabouttheUK]

I've got TWC for my internet and Direct TV for my viewing pleasure. I'm getting tired of being price fcked by both companies and called Direct and they lowered my bill a big 10 dollars a month! lol
So now I am going to test out streaming from my laptop to my TV, if all goes well I will be cutting the cord in a couple weeks and saving over 60 dollars a month, if not more. Screw the crooks and their shady tactics!

 

[LineSkiCat14]

This is pretty funny. I cut cable a year ago once I moved into my new place. $10 HD antenna for local and sports, $25/month for Sling TV giving me all UK games and some good movie/show channels, $20/month for Prime/Netflix to cover virtually anything else. And whatever is left over that I don't have, I torrent it and throw it onto a 2TB XHD connected to my receiver.

With that, I grabbed the $65/month 50mb pipeline, and that's ALL TWC gets from me.

.. and it pissed them off to no end, to the point that biweekly letters "from the desk of VP so-and-so", come to my house begging me to sign up for some crappy cable contract that triples in price after the first year.

Yeah.. GFY TWC.

 

[CatManDoo_rivals376463]

Not to hijack the thread, but I need to buy a new router and modem. I have TWC "Ultimate" as well. Any recommendations?

 

[Supreme Lord Z]

I see this thing all the time. You need to uninstall your anti-virus software and enter what is called a 'drying out" period where you surf porn sites with all your av tools disabled for a few weeks. It's like getting inoculated. A flu shot for your home network. Try it out for a few months and thank me later.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Go for "G" standard routers, That's the cutting edge right now. I mean, it combined the best of "A" and "B" protocols, so you know it has to be good.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Also, put your router on top of the microwave, enhances your snacking capabilities when you're playing Counterstrike..

 

[allabouttheUK]

This is pretty funny. I cut cable a year ago once I moved into my new place. $10 HD antenna for local and sports, $25/month for Sling TV giving me all UK games and some good movie/show channels, $20/month for Prime/Netflix to cover virtually anything else. And whatever is left over that I don't have, I torrent it and throw it onto a 2TB XHD connected to my receiver.

With that, I grabbed the $65/month 50mb pipeline, and that's ALL TWC gets from me.

.. and it pissed them off to no end, to the point that biweekly letters "from the desk of VP so-and-so", come to my house begging me to sign up for some crappy cable contract that triples in price after the first year.

Yeah.. GFY TWC.

I've done a little research on it, and am about ready to make the plunge. Since you have cut the cord and have experience could you offer some advice based on channels I frequent?

 

[-LEK-]

Not to hijack the thread, but I need to buy a new router and modem. I have TWC "Ultimate" as well. Any recommendations?

How big is your house, how many floors, how many devices do you use?