Repeated dropped packets when pinging gateway. Trying to work remotely via work VPN and connection continues to freeze and lag.

I have comcast internet. I'm working on my ethernet connected desktop.
When working through a SonicWALL Global VPN  Client, the Remote Desktop session continues to lag and freeze for seconds at a time.
This was not a significant problem as late as last week or two, but it has become a very frustrating issue in this time.
If I run a ping to the comcast gateway as listed in my router's settings, I get lots of Request timed outs.
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=8ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=254
Request timed out.
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=11ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=11ms TTL=254
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=12ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=7ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=26ms TTL=254
Request timed out.
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=254
Request timed out.
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=254
Request timed out.
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=15ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=8ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=11ms TTL=254
Request timed out.
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=254
Reply from 71.57.96.1: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=254

I get this when I try to ping other endpoints, too, but I really shouldn't have this problem with the gateway, for starters.

I've turned off my Arris Surfboard modem for more than 5+ minutes before restoring power to it.
I've turned off and factory reset my Orbi Mesh router which serves as my network's gateway (up to the the Arris modem).

Nothing helps. 

I am paying for a service here and it should work properly.

NOTE: i do not know why my options for Topic are: Email and Your Home Network.
My network does NOT have these dropped pings.