U

6 Messages

Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 6:28 PM

Closed

Intermittent Connection Drops and Packet Loss (every 15-20 Minutes)

I'm experiencing intermittent connection drops around 15-20 minutes, which has become increasingly frustrating as it hampers my ability to conduct essential tasks such as Zoom/Teams calls or live trading. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue through both phone and in-person technical support, the problem remains unresolved.

Here's a brief summary of the events leading up to the current situation:

Around the 17th of January, I initially noticed my modem experiencing random connection drops every few minutes. After contacting Comcast and having a technician inspect the lines, the issue seemed to stem from slightly elevated power levels on the uplink side. Subsequent maintenance corrected the issue temporarily, but the problem resurfaced around mid-February.

The recurring issue presents as severe packet loss and complete connection drops lasting 5-10 seconds every 10-15 minutes. Despite the internet performing well when it's stable, these disruptions render it virtually unusable. This not only affects my work but also impacts the productivity of three individuals working from home in my household.

To provide context, here's a chronological overview of the steps taken to address the issue:

January 17, 2024: Initially, when the issue arose in January, I was using my own Netgear CM1100 modem alongside my UDM Pro SE router. Upon noticing the problem, I promptly contacted Xfinity support, and a technician was dispatched to inspect the lines. After identifying slightly elevated power levels on the uplink side, the technician forwarded the issue to another maintenance crew. Subsequently, the crew worked on an amplifier outside, which temporarily resolved the random disconnects for 2-3 weeks.

January 26, 2024: As a precautionary measure, we decided to switch to an Arris S33 modem to rule out any potential issues with our equipment.

February 15, 2024: Unfortunately, the problem resurfaced in mid-February. Despite our efforts, an agent who inspected our equipment found no issues and attributed the problem to our equipment.

February 16, 2024: In an attempt to troubleshoot further, we reverted to our original CM1100 modem and even changed the router to an old EdgeRouter. Despite upgrading our internet package to 1.2Gbps, the issue persisted. Frustrated with the lack of progress, we rented a modem/router (XB8) from the Xfinity office, hoping to bypass any potential issues with our equipment. However, the connection continued to drop randomly, rendering remote work impossible.

February 17, 2024: Desperate for a resolution, we contacted another agent, who, despite being unable to connect to our modem remotely, sent another technician to our location. Upon arrival, the technician inspected the lines and confirmed that everything appeared to be in order. Despite acknowledging the intermittent drops, he explained that he was unable to escalate the issue as the modem's light was white, indicating a connection. To illustrate the severity of the problem, I invited him to use the Wi-Fi and attempt to browse the internet. As expected, his attempts to access speedtest.net failed repeatedly, despite the modem showing a connected status (solid white). After numerous unsuccessful attempts, the technician conceded that there was indeed a significant issue with the connection from Xfinity/Comcast side but everything from my end seemed great. However, he reiterated his inability to escalate the matter since the modem's status light was white. I find this ridiculous since at this point, the modem light might as well be red with no connection. 

It's been a couple of weeks since the last technician visit, and unfortunately, there has been no follow-up or communication from Xfinity regarding the resolution of my ongoing connectivity issues. This ongoing situation severely disrupts our ability to effectively work from home.

The purpose of this post is not to assign blame, but rather to seek a solution. I'm reaching out to this community in the hopes of connecting with someone who can offer meaningful assistance. Despite being a Comcast/Xfinity customer for around a decade, I've never encountered such frustration and dissatisfaction with the service.

Accepted Solution

6 Messages

8 months ago

I resolved this issue about 1.5 weeks ago and thought I'd share an update for anyone else encountering similar problems:

Despite multiple visits from technicians (after my last post), none were able to provide a solution after inspecting the signals. So, I reached out to their local supervisor who's number I had obtained from one of the previous technicians. I informed him that none of the attempted fixes had worked during the five or so visits. He assured me that he would look into it further and get back to me soon.

After a few days, he contacted a maintenance supervisor, who sent a team with bucket trucks to replace the outside amplifier. Interestingly, they discovered that the outside amplifier was bad, which had been replaced back in January when our internet issues first started. After replacing the said amplifier again, and checking some cables, they left. Since then, I have experienced no further issues, with not a single packet loss or disconnection. I expressed my gratitude to the supervisor for his assistance.

This thread can be closed now. Thank you to everyone who tried to help me from Xfinity tech support. 

Expert

 • 

107.1K Messages

@user_annoy8​ 

Thanks for circling back with an update. Glad you got it squared away ! Now closing your marked "Solved" topic.

I am not a Comcast Employee.
I am a Customer Expert volunteering my time to help other customers here in the Forums.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.

Was your question answered? Please mark an Accepted Answer!tick

6 Messages

9 months ago

Here are the stats from my modem if anyone is wondering:

Downlink Stats

Channel ID
29 Locked 675 MHz 41.3 dB 0.0 dBmV 256 QAM

14

Locked

585 MHz

43.1 dB

1.6 dBmV

256 QAM

15

Locked

591 MHz

43.0 dB

1.4 dBmV

256 QAM

16

Locked

597 MHz

43.0 dB

1.2 dBmV

256 QAM

17

Locked

603 MHz

42.9 dB

1.0 dBmV

256 QAM

18

Locked

609 MHz

42.7 dB

0.9 dBmV

256 QAM

19

Locked

615 MHz

42.8 dB

0.9 dBmV

256 QAM

20

Locked

621 MHz

42.9 dB

1.0 dBmV

256 QAM

21

Locked

627 MHz

42.9 dB

1.0 dBmV

256 QAM

22

Locked

633 MHz

42.8 dB

1.2 dBmV

256 QAM

23

Locked

639 MHz

42.7 dB

1.2 dBmV

256 QAM

24

Locked

645 MHz

42.6 dB

1.3 dBmV

256 QAM

25

Locked

651 MHz

42.7 dB

1.0 dBmV

256 QAM

26

Locked

657 MHz

42.6 dB

0.8 dBmV

256 QAM

27

Locked

663 MHz

42.6 dB

0.7 dBmV

256 QAM

28

Locked

669 MHz

42.4 dB

0.3 dBmV

256 QAM

30

Locked

681 MHz

42.2 dB

0.5 dBmV

256 QAM

31

Locked

687 MHz

42.0 dB

0.8 dBmV

256 QAM

32

Locked

693 MHz

42.0 dB

-1.1 dBmV

256 QAM

33

Locked

699 MHz

42.0 dB

-1.4 dBmV

256 QAM

34

Locked

705 MHz

41.9 dB

-1.6 dBmV

256 QAM

35

Locked

711 MHz

41.8 dB

-1.4 dBmV

256 QAM

36

Locked

717 MHz

41.8 dB

0.9 dBmV

256 QAM

37

Locked

723 MHz

42.0 dB

0.3 dBmV

256 QAM

38

Locked

729 MHz

42.1 dB

0.4 dBmV

256 QAM

39

Locked

735 MHz

42.1 dB

0.7 dBmV

256 QAM

40

Locked

741 MHz

41.9 dB

0.2 dBmV

256 QAM

41

Locked

747 MHz

41.4 dB

-1.3 dBmV

256 QAM

42

Locked

753 MHz

40.9 dB

-3.0 dBmV

256 QAM

43

Locked

759 MHz

40.0 dB

-4.7 dBmV

256 QAM

44

Locked

765 MHz

39.8 dB

-5.5 dBmV

256 QAM

45

Locked

780000000

0.0 dB

-3.5 dBmV

OFDM

Uplink Stats

Channel ID
5 Locked 16 MHz 5120 45.8 dBmV QAM ATDMA

6

Locked

22 MHz

5120

46.3 dBmV

QAM

ATDMA

7

Locked

29 MHz

5120

47.0 dBmV

QAM

ATDMA

8

Locked

35 MHz

5120

47.3 dBmV

QAM

ATDMA

CM Codeword Errors:

Channel ID

29

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

Unerrored Codewords

750978680

2435081240

2435088924

2435093188

2435097192

2435102590

2435107429

2435113985

2435119836

2435125943

2435130350

2435136911

2435139649

2435146448

2435151440

2435157130

2435157720

2435159661

2435163523

2435168139

2435172499

2435178392

2435184128

2435188426

2435193824

2435198308

2435204837

2435209941

2435215270

2435217586

2435219307

750978680

Correctable Codewords

734496702

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

734496702

Uncorrectable Codewords

1432937

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1432937

Official Employee

 • 

1.2K Messages

9 months ago

@user_annoy8 Hi there, I hope that you are well. Thank you for sharing all the effort that you have put into resolving the intermittent connection drops. I'm terribly sorry to see that you have made so many attempts with no solution. We would love to help out and find the right path to have this corrected and maintain a conversation with you to ensure it's not a temporary fix, but a full solution. 

I know how a small issue can impact my own life, you have 3 people impacted there, so this is crucial. We will do everything we can. Please send us a direct message with your name and service address.

To send a direct message, please click on the chat icon in the top-right corner of the screen, and select "Xfinity Support" to initiate a live chat. 
Click "Sign In" if necessary
Click the "direct messaging" icon or https://comca.st/3J0ir1l
Click the "New message" (pencil and paper) icon
Type "Xfinity Support" in the "To:" line and select "Xfinity Support" from the drop-down list which appears. The "Xfinity Support" graphic replaces the "To:" line
Type your message in the text area near the bottom of the window
Press Enter to send it

Expert

 • 

107.1K Messages

9 months ago

@user_annoy8 @XfinityPaula 

Please circle back here and post any possible solutions for the issue here in these open forums so that all readers here may benefit from the exchange / info. This is in keeping with the spirit for which these public help forums were originally intended. Thank you.

6 Messages

@EG​ 

Update Log on Ongoing Connectivity Issues

3/4/24: Following my initial post, I reached out to the Xfinity customer service for assistance with the persistent packet loss and connection drops I've been experiencing. Despite efforts similar to those of a previous representative, the new agent also encountered difficulties in establishing communication with my modem. I recounted how a preceding technician had intended to inspect the lines at the pole but lacked the necessary equipment, resulting in the scheduling of another maintenance team. Despite being given a ticket number for this, over a week passed without any visit or inspection. I provided this ticket number to the representative, who, unsurprisingly, could not locate it in their system but offered to dispatch a technician to my residence that same day.

The technician inspected the connections to my modem and between my line and another cable from the pole, suggesting that the adjustments made should alleviate the packet loss. I obtained his supervisor's contact information to avoid repeating the history of my issue. Unfortunately, the intermittent connection drops persisted over the next three days, prompting me to contact the supervisor. A return visit by the technician was arranged.

3/9/24: The returning technician installed a new temporary line to my home, asserting that it should rectify the problem. However, post-installation, I faced even more frequent packet loss and disconnections. Suspecting an issue with the wiring inside my home, we relocated the temporary external line (not yet buried) indoors alongside the MOCA filter, directly connecting it to the modem. This resulted in a slight improvement in signal levels but failed to eradicate the intermittent disconnection issues. To maintain adequate signal levels, I hired an electrician to install a new COAX cable within the house directly to the modem. Additionally, I replaced the Xfinity rental modem, which appeared to be overheating. Despite these extensive replacements, from the pole to the house, the disconnection issues persisted.

3/11/24: I informed the supervisor that the attempted solutions were ineffective. He assured me another technician would be dispatched on Wednesday (3/13).

3/12/24: Given the internet's unreliability for work, I purchased a CM2000 Netgear modem to gain insight into potential issues, as Xfinity's equipment provided no logs. This decision proved insightful, revealing "Partial Service" alerts during disconnections and packet loss episodes, despite showing "Green/good" levels for downstream/upstream power. The "online" light would also blink during packet loss/ intermittent connection drops. Additionally, the modem logged multiple "MDD message timeout" errors.

3/13/24: A new technician addressed a grounding issue but dismissed the CM2000 modem's error logs, attributing the difficulty in resolving "intermittent" problems. His visit lasted less than 15 minutes, and shortly after his departure, the random packet loss and disconnections resumed. I reached out to the supervisor once more, sharing my disconnection logs. He is currently investigating and has promised to follow up with further steps


As of now, I await further communication. I am highly disappointed with the service right now, as this issue has severely impacted my ability to work from home since mid-February. Despite five technician visits in the last three weeks, the problem remains unresolved.

1 Message

8 months ago

I’m so disappointed. I’m having same issues. 

6 Messages

@user_3kk94f​ 

I hope someone fixes these issues for both of us soon. 

Official Employee

 • 

993 Messages

@user_3kk94f, we would be happy to assist you with any connection troubles you are experiencing. Have you already had a chance to troubleshoot using the Xfinity Support site?

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.
Was your question answered? Please, mark a reply as the Accepted Answer.tick

6 Messages

8 months ago

Here is a log of the connection issues I experienced today, March 14, 2024.

 

A few important points to consider:

  • The machine logging these errors is directly connected to the Xfinity gateway.
  • I have tested these issues with multiple Ethernet cables (multiple ports, and multiple gateways), so equipment is not the cause.
  • These problems occurred at the specified times across all my devices connected either wired or wirelessly to the gateway (including desktop computers, cell phones, laptops, TV streaming boxes, etc.). I have cross verified all the disconnects across multiple devices.
  • I am not using a VPN.
  • What I call packet loss is actually a packet loss for a decent chunk of time, enough to disconnect/drop my live applications. It is not a single packet/missing ping. The Xfinity Gateway's own troubleshooting tool (on the Modem's config page) that measures packet loss also shows packet loss. 

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 6:49 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 7:59 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:15 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:18 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:19 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:23 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:26 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:27 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:28 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:31 AM

Primary Internet Packet loss        Mar 14 2024 8:57 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:58 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 9:19 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 9:20 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 9:25 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 9:26 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 9:28 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:52 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:54 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:59 AM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 12:31 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 12:37 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 12:39 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 12:43 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 12:48 PM

Primary Internet Down                  Mar 14 2024 12:49 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 12:50 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 12:59 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 1:02 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 1:04 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 1:05 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 1:07 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 1:29 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 1:33 PM

Primary Internet Down                  Mar 14 2024 1:34 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 1:35 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 1:37 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 4:03 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 4:40 PM

High latency                                        Mar 14 2024 4:59 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 5:02 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 5:04 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 5:05 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 5:07 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 6:53 PM

Primary Internet Down                  Mar 14 2024 6:55 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 6:55 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 7:05 PM

Primary Internet Down                  Mar 14 2024 8:24 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:25 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 8:25 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 10:36 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 10:36 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:11 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:13 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:34 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:37 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:40 PM

Primary Internet Down                  Mar 14 2024 11:54 PM

Primary Internet Drop/Restored Mar 14 2024 11:59 PM

 

You can see that it is not usable for work calls or meetings or online team collaboration activities.

(edited)

Official Employee

 • 

1.3K Messages

@user_annoy8 Thank you for sharing the log. I'd like to try a couple of things. Please move back into DM, so we can work on identifying what could be causing these drops. I look forward to hearing back from you! 

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.
Was your question answered? Please, mark a reply as the Accepted Answer.tick
forum icon

New to the Community?

Start Here