First time posting so please let me know if you need more info or anything. I’m trying to figure this out on my own before I call ATT support to make me buy faster speeds or something crazy. But anyways, I currently pay for ATT Fiber 500 MBPS, using their provided Gateway (it’s to my understanding third-party hardware would not work with their network). All of the cables and wiring are less than 2 years old as we had to pay ATT for a completely new set up. So, we are the first users in this house. About a month ago, we installed Ethernet cables for the other two PCs in the house, and ever since then all of the other devices will either have very slow internet intermittently, or completely lose internet. This is especially noticeable every single time I use my PC, as it will lose internet at least 5-10 times within the first 10-20 minutes of start up, and be told in video games I have packet loss (but moderate ping)… I believe I used to run anywhere from 6-12 ping, now I’m at 20-30+… Despite being on the other side of the wall (literally) to the gateway/router. I’m trying to not have to install yet another Ethernet port for my PC just to play games (and host Baldurs Gate runs without it DC’ing everyone), but also not ruin the Ethernet users’ speeds. Approximate total devices on the network are 3 PCs (two ethernet connected), 3 cell phones, smart thermostat, security system and peripherals, 2 Rokus, 3 pet trackers, robot vacuum, then variety if the devices are powered on or not includes a tablet, Nintendo Switch, VR headset, and probably a couple other things I can’t think of right now. My current solutions ideas are to throttle the ethernet ports (last I looked the speed options were not many…), or to try and set up my range extender as an access point and put all of the security system and perhaps a few lesser used devices on it, but that would also be connected to an Ethernet port so perhaps that would make things worse.
To add: Sorry to everyone who may see this post multiple times, as, believe it or not, my internet ghost disconnected me, and Reddit told me to try posting this three times. To which I did not realize it would create multiple copied posts. So, I apologize for this.
It sounds like you are saying that the two wired PCs are sucking up all of the bandwidth. Have you confirmed this by looking at the network statistics on the PCs? It’s hard to imagine that they would use 500 Mbps for more than short stretches of time (e.g. downloading a large game).
Unfortunately, the AT&T gateway doesn’t maintain detailed traffic statistics, so it’s impossible to tell if all of the bandwidth is really being used. The gateway does have a built-in speedtest under the Diagnostics page. At least you can confirm that you are getting the full 500 Mbps from AT&T. If you are, then you should call AT&T.
Setting up an Ethernet connection to your PC is never a bad thing. It will definitely help with your gaming. You shouldn’t worry about affecting the other PCs. After all, your 500 Mbps Internet bandwidth is shared among all devices. If anything, wiring your PC will put it on equal footing with the other PCs.
You can throttle the other PCs by manually setting the gateway’s Ethernet ports to 100 Mbps. But if the PCs belong to roommates, I would think twice before doing that. It’s best to first confirm that they are using a lot of bandwidth. Then negotiate with them to moderate their use.
Honestly, I only have some guesses that it could be due to the Ethernet because it started right after we installed the ports. Ethernet was never used previously in the house (due to the router’s location). I can try to do some diagnostics tomorrow; I appreciate the input.
If your service is dropping, you could have a cracked fiber. What’s smart home manager say when that happens? Your speed is plenty fast enough to handle your devices.
That could be a possibility. Unsure how it happens every single time I boot my PC (not related to the time of day or anything though). Plus of course the other random times. I’ve used both Ookla and the Smart Manager to speed test both from my phone and PC, and speeds are fine.
I had to disconnect my extender and that solved my problem. It was interfering in my signal.
