Does Node overload cause downstream power level issues?

[rohitakshay]

I used to have occasional disconnects before which I didnt bother because it used to correct "itelf". But offlate ever since the shelter at home, the disconnections have been too many to the extent that I couldnt wfh anymore, but the savng grace was that there was an xfinity wifi that some soul had left open on his router to which I could connect from my account. Called up Xfinity and they sent a tech since I had already done the first level troubleshooting (Rebooting router, having mimimum splitters etc) The tech came , had a look, decided not to come inside the house and said the node capacity is more than 100%. It  was suposed to have 4800 connections where as there are 5000 connections currently. He said he cant do anything and left. A week has passed since then, disconnection was a daily affair but from today morning the modem has stayed more  disconnected than connected. But neightbour's xfinity wifi was working so I decided to do some research and found out that the Downstream level of the modem is persisting at -19dbmv to 20dbmv for all the channels. My questions is, does node being at 100% capacity matter for the downstream power? Below are the modem readings

Signal to Noise Ratio	30 dB	30 dB	30 dB	30 dB	30 dB	30 dB	30 dB	30 dB
Downstream Modulation	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256
Power Level The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading	-19 dBmV	-19 dBmV	-19 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV

 I have an Arris modem SB6141 docsis 3.0 modem so the operating power seems to be outside the range

[andyross]

Node capacity should have nothing to do with signal levels. Your signal levels are hideously low, as is your SNR (should be 33dB+)  and the tech should have done more checking. How is your modem connected? There could be too many splitters in your home.

[CCAndrew]

Because of the pandemic, the tech isn’t going inside. These numbers are also a week after the tech was there (per OP), so who knows what was happening at the time of the tech appointment without numbers at that time. Where’s your upstream levels?

[rohitakshay]

Thanks for the replies. I am guessing it is an xfinity issue. Nothing has changed since last week, It has always been the same, just that xfinity tech decided that since node was at 100% capacity, not to check anything else. This is what my upstream said just now before it got disconnected

Checked the downstream level now, and there is no improvement. The upstream level is as follows

Downstream	Bonding Channel Value
Channel ID	40	41	42	43	44	45	46	47
Frequency	777000000 Hz	783000000 Hz	789000000 Hz	795000000 Hz	801000000 Hz	807000000 Hz	813000000 Hz	819000000 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio	30 dB	30 dB	30 dB	29 dB	29 dB	30 dB	30 dB	28 dB
Downstream Modulation	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256
Power Level The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading	-19 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV	-20 dBmV

Upstream	Bonding Channel Value
Channel ID	39
Frequency	32300000 Hz
Ranging Service ID	12848
Symbol Rate	5.120 Msym/sec
Power Level	57 dBmV
Upstream Modulation	[2] QPSK [1] 32QAM [3] 64QAM
Ranging Status	Success

[CCAndrew]

I escalated it to an Official Employee, they may consider those numbers outage-like and be able to schedule a tech because it’s outside work . It’s either the drop to your house or the signal out of the pedestal but nothing congestion would cause the levels to be like yours. Basically you need a second opinion

[rohitakshay]

Thanks for all the help guys. After checking here with the forum in morning, I chatted with an xfinity support person again, who after doing the initial first level troubleshooting , sent a tech again. This time, I told the tech about the downstream power levels and the tech strraight away got to checking the cable from the junction box to the house. He initially thought it was the cabling (since the house owner had done it himself) but after a grueling 1.5 hr, he found the culprit with a splitter. We are in a multi unit apartment where we have 4 houses. The line split on the way to my house to neighbouring house who wasnt using comcast anymore. So he removed the splitter and added a connector instead. That seems to have solved the problem for now. Below are the downstream and upstream power levels. Thanks for all the help!!! @CCAndrew  Thanks for the escalation, but I guess we are good for now 🙂

Downstream	Bonding Channel Value
Channel ID	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39
Frequency	729000000 Hz	735000000 Hz	741000000 Hz	747000000 Hz	753000000 Hz	759000000 Hz	765000000 Hz	771000000 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio	36 dB	36 dB	36 dB	36 dB	36 dB	36 dB	36 dB	36 dB
Downstream Modulation	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256	QAM256
Power Level The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading	-8 dBmV	-8 dBmV	-8 dBmV	-8 dBmV	-8 dBmV	-8 dBmV	-8 dBmV	-8 dBmV

Upstream	Bonding Channel Value
Channel ID	37	40	39	38
Frequency	19300000 Hz	38700000 Hz	32300000 Hz	25700000 Hz
Ranging Service ID	12929	12929	12929	12929
Symbol Rate	5.120 Msym/sec	5.120 Msym/sec	5.120 Msym/sec	5.120 Msym/sec
Power Level	51 dBmV	51 dBmV	52 dBmV	52 dBmV
Upstream Modulation	[2] QPSK [1] 32QAM [3] 64QAM	[2] QPSK [1] 32QAM [3] 64QAM	[2] QPSK [1] 32QAM [3] 64QAM	[2] QPSK [1] 32QAM [3] 64QAM
Ranging Status	Success	Success	Success	Success

[CCAndrew]

Still not the greatest (both upstream and downstream are at their peak), but I guess because of the area it’s the best it’s going to get. You’re welcome

[rohitakshay]

Just curious about your remark(and for the sake of my knowledge), I thought -8dbmv and SNR 36 was great, why do you say it is not the best?

[CCAndrew]

The range Comcast uses for internet is to keep it between 10 and -10 and -8 is close to the peak. Upstream should ideally be in the 40’s but the range is between 35 and 51 and you’re at 51,52 (at the peak and past it).Weather will also play a factor with those numbers. Unfortunately, like you said you’re in a multi unit apartment, so there isn’t much you can do

[rohitakshay]

Thanks a lot!!! It helps to talk to you experts. I will keep this in mind. You folks are great here.