slow speed/internet drops out

bouicca21

This is similar to the JB post but I thought I should keep it separate.


I have ADSL broadband with plusnet; power plugs connect 2 TVs and a desktop to the network, but only one of these devices is ever in use at a time.



I have been used to getting speeds in the region of 17 but for the past couple of days speed has been very low and the connection keeps dropping out. When I try to reconnect the information I get is always that there is no IP address.


I haven't raised a ticket yet, as I could do with a bit of a briefing before I talk to Plusnet.


On the JB thread there is a suggestion of a quiet line test. I don't have a corded phone. When I dial 17020 on my usual phone it just goes to 'the number you have dialled has not been recognised'.


The router (currently on wifi, and sitting right next to the router, rather than a cable) gives the following information - is there a clue in there?


6 - Uptime: 8 days 14:13:31 7 - Data rate: 1263/19787 8 - Maximum data rate: 1264/19740 9 - Noise margin: 6.4/3.1 10 - Line attenuation: 9.4/20.0 12 - Data sent/received: 1001.0M/865.2M

forgotmyname

Yes only test the speed with a cable to the router/pc. WIFI signals may have intereference by other sources.

Many years ago i noticed speed drops whilst the wife was cooking, tracked it down to the microwave. Downloading from several sources at once to ensure only my connection could cause a drop. Switch the Microwave on and the speed instantly dropped, microwave off and it picked up instantly.

Your cordless phones could be on the same frequency and channel.

JJ_Egan

I would try a router reboot first .

ScreamingDead

The test number is 170702 but only use the quiet line test.

bouicca21

Thanks. Quiet line test was, well, quiet (silent).

I have rebooted the router several times.

This morning I attached my laptop directly to the router by Ethernet. Speed test excellent - 16.72 download, 1.06 up.

Reconnected router to power plug. Laptop wifi speed 5.86 down, 0.7 up.

But - laptop now insists that it has no network cable (via main power plug)
Main TV recognises wired connection (via power plug)
Back room TV insisted it had no network cable (via another power plug). Pulled out power plug and put it back. Ethernet briefly recognised, then TV decided it could not get an IP address. It recognises wireless but speed too slow.
Moving on to the desktop, it has decided it 'can't communicate with the device or resource (primary DNS server)'. Speed test via wifi gives .66 download and .75 up.

So is the problem my power plugs? Or maybe the Ethernet cables? The plugs are pretty old - I think I bought the first two about 10 years ago, then added more about 5 years ago.

[Deleted User]

Does sound like your home plugs ("power plugs"?) are getting long in the tooth.

D_M_E

Could be the power plugs but could also be a near neighbour has just had a brand new router which is broadcasting a stronger signal on the same band used by your router, which is swamping your signal.

Try going into the router settings and changing channels.