Solved Random Ping Spikes

[ayoitzyu]

Hey guys, I recently reformated my computer and unfortunately, I have been reminded of the wireless problem I had in the past that I fixed. The ping on my computer randomly spikes as you can see here: ping

I have went on google and tried basically everything. People have suggested to disable the Windows Zero Config, but I just found that if I disabled it, my wifi would stop working entirely, which defeated the whole purpose. I also tried using WLAN optimizer which again, to no avail.

I am using Bell DSL and I am using a Linksys router but nobody else in my house is having these problems, so I know its my computer. I am not using any anti virus on my computer.

Here is my ipconfig: IPCONFIG

 

[PeaB4YouGo]

If there were more than just the three lines where there were "spikes", I'd be worried. Considering that there were 14 good times, and one timeout, I think these abberations are nothing more than a busy network, either your router, your net card or the internet. All things considered, they don't look like VERY high ping times, anyhow. Anything less than 300ms has never concerned me, when it happens once in a while.

I'd be more interested in what happens during a stream, like Pandora Internet Radio - Listen to Free Music You'll Love or something similar. Maybe a movie site. Do you use Hulu or Netflix? What kind of performance do you see?

One more note. When you're doing these ping tests, I would have a Task Manager open, and I'd be looking at the Networking tab. Check for other activity during the higher ping times. Other programs checking for updates or Weatherbug-type apps might be busy using the connection during those times.

 

[ayoitzyu]

If there were more than just the three lines where there were "spikes", I'd be worried. Considering that there were 14 good times, and one timeout, I think these abberations are nothing more than a busy network, either your router, your net card or the internet. All things considered, they don't look like VERY high ping times, anyhow. Anything less than 300ms has never concerned me, when it happens once in a while.

I'd be more interested in what happens during a stream, like Pandora Internet Radio - Listen to Free Music You'll Love or something similar. Maybe a movie site. Do you use Hulu or Netflix? What kind of performance do you see?

One more note. When you're doing these ping tests, I would have a Task Manager open, and I'd be looking at the Networking tab. Check for other activity during the higher ping times. Other programs checking for updates or Weatherbug-type apps might be busy using the connection during those times.

Alright. I mostly get ping spikes while playing games like Dota2 and the ping usually spikes from 50 to 300+ which makes the game unplayable. Also, when I stream on Twitch or something, occasionally I get really bad lag for a little bit, then it goes back to normal smooth playing. I've been trying many solutions and haven't seriously tested my internet. thanks for the fast reply though ^^

 

[PeaB4YouGo]

There are several team members who are good with this type of thing, and I'll defer to them. I just imagined the kind of things that I would look for, as well as things and information that someone more knowledgeable might ask me about.

You didn't mention anything about background apps that might tap the net. Adobe Updater, NA Update (Nero), and TomTomUpdateService are just a few I have to watch on my system. Do you have many of those running? I'm also talking about things like weather gadgets, stock tickers, etc...

 

[Shadowjk]

I noticed you were using wireless, have you tried a wired connection? What are the echos time like with a wired connection?

EDIT: With regards to PeaB4YouGo's question with background apps. Can you please upload a view of your netstat to see what applications have active sessions with the internet.

To do so please type the following into a command prompt and upload a screenshot:

netstat -b

Just my input ,
Josh

 

[ayoitzyu]

No, none of those. I make it a habit to disable all of those on startup

 

[ayoitzyu]

I noticed you were using wireless, have you tried a wired connection? What are the echos time like with a wired connection?

Just my input ,
Josh

A wired connection is not possible for me. If it was, I would

 

[Shadowjk]

In that case, are you able to try a different wireless network? (Possibly a friend or relatives?) This will greatly help us determine if this is an issue with your router or line or if it is an issue with your particular NIC.

Do any other users experience similar ping times?

Josh

 

[PeaB4YouGo]

I told ya we had some geniuses here. And Josh is up late, too.

 

[Shadowjk]

:roflmao:

I'm a student! Always up late

 

[ayoitzyu]

In that case, are you able to try a different wireless network? (Possibly a friend or relatives?) This will greatly help us determine if this is an issue with your router or line or if it is an issue with your particular NIC.

Do any other users experience similar ping times?

Josh

No, sadly I am not. I believe it is a problem with my NIC because I had this problem before, but I fixed it. I just reformated my computer and I dont remember how I did it. IIRC it had something to do with disabling my adapter from searching for other networks whilst connected to mine.

 

[Shadowjk]

Hmm most bizarre.... Since you reformatted can you use download and install your most current drivers for your Wireless card - Driver Details | Dell US


Once done please boot the machine into safe mode with networking to see if there are any third party applications causing issues with your latency. Once in please run the ping test.

To do so please follow this tutorial (OPTION ONE ONLY) - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/69585-safe-mode.html

Please replace all references of Safe Mode with Safe Mode with Networking.

Lastly, what anti-virus and firewall programs do you use? And do any other devices on the network suffer a similar issue?

Since you are unable to test on another network I cannot confirm if it is your line to the internet or not so please understand that this may be the cause depending on if other devices have a similar issue.

Many Thanks,
Josh

 

[ayoitzyu]

sorry if I come across as rude, but I alrdy answered most of those questions on the first post ; ( and installing the updated drivers solved it. Thank you. I mustve installed outdated drivers from the disc that came with the computer. +rep

 

[Shadowjk]

No worries, I'm glad it was solved

My apologies about not fully reading the first post I think I was distracted by PeaB4YouGo's post and just briefly read it

Josh

 

[ayoitzyu]

No worries, I'm glad it was solved

My apologies about not fully reading the first post I think I was distracted by PeaB4YouGo's post and just briefly read it

Josh

aha. its funny cuz I read ur post bout putting the info on my thread before posting ;P