M

Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 2:39 AM

Packet Loss and Increased Ping

Just before Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lee was set to hit New England (I am in southern New England), I started experiencing unusual internet issues.

First, the xFi gateway itself would shut off or reboot completely without warning, and we would lose internet for a couple of hours at a time, get it back for maybe 10-15 minutes, and lose it again. I suspect it was an issue with the gateway itself, and that issue has gone away since exchanging the device for a replacement.

However, since replacing the gateway, ALL devices will experience packet loss and high ping repeatedly near peak hours (7:30pm onwards). I want to just assume it's noise on the network that will be cleaned up eventually, but I do not have high confidence, as I have experienced horrific internet issues before this that took replacing underground internet lines, the wiring in my apartment, and replacing the gateway only a year, maybe a year and a half ago. I cannot actually afford to lose internet consistently past 7:30pm every day, due to work. Both my wife and I work from home at odd hours, so this is negatively impacting our work.

So my questions are as follows:

  1. How can I confirm there is interference/noise on the network at the time of the issue? I want documented proof of the issue before I go to my managers, the landlord, or Comcast again. I can take some instruction, if I need to run a specific program or command line, I will do my best. Just whatever I can do to properly document the issue at the time.
  2. When there is documented evidence, how do I communicate this to Comcast appropriately? I cannot end up on the phone with someone attempting to live troubleshoot with me when the issue may not even be occurring. Again, this typically happens past 7:30pm, I am tired and trying to do my work, I cannot actually be on the phone for a long period of time at the time the issue is occurring.
  3. Are there any steps I can take as a moderately tech familiar individual to reduce how much interference is impacting my home network? The less I can bother Comcast technicians, the better, because I just want stable internet to do my job.

Visitor

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1 Message

3 days ago

I am curious to hear this answer. I have had noise issues for months now. Technicians have been out twice. The second time, he did something to close out unconnected lines since we no longer have cable TV, only internet. It helped but the issue is still going on enough to be bothersome.

I also can't afford for the noise outages to interrupt my connection for work. I have logs from a connection monitor to show when this happens. Going through xfinity chat (done it no less than 5 times) is useless. I want to know what I might do to fix this problem.

Official Employee

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112 Messages

Hello, @user_1e395c. Let's work together to get this resolved as soon as possible.

Could you send me a direct message with the full name and complete address for your service? 

To send a direct message [private message]:

   Click the "Direct Message" icon or  https://forums.xfinity.com/direct-messaging

   Click the "New message" (pencil and paper) icon

   The "To:" line prompts you to "Type the name of a person". Instead, type "Xfinity Support" there.

   - As you are typing a drop-down list appears. Select "Xfinity Support" from that list.

   - An "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.

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

Official Employee

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1.4K Messages

1 day ago

Hello, @mintshroom! Thanks for your thoughtful post about the packet loss that has been happening. I apologize that this has been your experience and am happy to help. We have all the needed tools to get to the root cause of the problem and are able to stay with you over time without starting over. We work at home too and understand the service needs to be reliable. Our team is able to check your local area as well as your location for noise in the signal.

I sometimes see noise coming from a loose or damaged coax cable or a splitter inside or outside of your home. We just ask that you take a look at the inside equipment if you are able to. If anything is wrong outside our Technicians check and take care of that.

Is the coax cable between the coax outlet and the back of the modem finger tight at both ends and without damage?

Are there any splitters between the coax outlet and the back of the modem? 

2 Messages

@XfinityRay​ 

Thank you for the responce. I do not have any way of checking if there is an adequate signal coming to the gateway because the coax cable connected to the back actually goes straight through the floor into the basement likely where the splitter and such are currently set up. I don't have any type of cable tester to make sure the signal is out putting correctly. This coax cable was installed by the previous Xfinity techician out to resolve this issue when it occured last. if this coax cord and splitter are the issue, I would need an Xfinity technician to work with the landlord in order to properly run a new coax cable through the wall and brick instead of through the floor because they were actually very angry the first time they learned a technician drilled directly through the hardwood flooring. Please let me know your thoughts on this.

Official Employee

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538 Messages

@mintshroom Thank you for your reply. We'll need you to send us a Direct Message with your full name and address to investigate this further. Here are instructions on how to send us a DM in case you need them:

Click "Sign In" if necessary
 • Click the "Direct Message" icon (upper right corner of this page)
 • Click the "New message" (pencil and paper) icon
 • Type "Xfinity Support" in the to line and select "Xfinity Support" from the drop-down list
 • Type your message in the text area near the bottom of the window
 • Press Enter to send your message

We look forward to hearing 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
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