Sudden slowdowns

[Bbloke]

Hi all,

I’ve been having recurring broadband issues for the past couple of months, and I’m hoping someone can help me troubleshoot.

The problem mainly occurs when I’m gaming. I’ll get disconnected mid-game, and web pages become extremely slow to load. When I run a speed test during these times, both upload and download speeds drop to below 1Mbps. Sometimes rebooting the router (often multiple times) helps, but other times the connection just slowly recovers after 30 minutes or so.

This tends to happen multiple times in an evening. I don’t game that often—maybe two or three times a month—but it seems to happen almost every time I do.

My PC is connected via Ethernet, and when I test the connection on my phone (Wi-Fi), I see the same slowdown, so it seems to be a line issue. BT sent an engineer last year who replaced the socket, but the problem has returned. BT support haven’t been much help recently—they just run a 24-hour line check and then nothing happens.

I have a smarthub2 router.

Any advice on how to narrow this down or push for a proper fix?

Thanks in advance.

[Bbloke]

This problem has been happening for a few months. I'll be playing a game online and suddenly I'll get disconnected. Loading web pages will be really slow and doing a speed test will report sub 1MB download and upload. Sometimes mutiple router restarts will return it to normal. Other times it will take 20-40 mins to go back to normal. It will often happen 2 or 3 times an evening.

My PC is wired and there arent any other devices being used on the network besides my phone. A speed test on my phon shows similar slow speeds.

I have called BT, they don't seem to be much help. Last year they changed the socket. 

Any idea how to troubleshoot this issue?

[Kimberlin]

As a matter of interest, what broadband package are you on? As you’re gaming, is your broadband sufficient for your gaming needs?

[licquorice]

Gaming doesn't need high speed.

[Kimberlin]

I didn't say it did, I never mentioned speed anywhere in my post.

[licquorice]

So what else is there in the package you are questioning?

[Kimberlin]

I was literally just interested on what broadband package the OP was on seeing as they haven't mentioned it. I personally have a so called 'gaming router' but I don't game at all. The OP might not require a fast internet connection but then we have no idea just what their online gaming consists of. It could be quite intensive gaming that could benefit from a higher speed and a more stable connection, but at this juncture, we have no idea. The OP mentions speeds reducing below 1mbps and then returns to normal, but we don't know what the OP's 'normal' is. That's why I asked.

[Bbloke]

I have 36mb connection fttc. The game is a turn based, Stellaris. I've been gaming for years and the connection has never been a problem tbh.

[Quesada]

Hi. Try rattling off an e-mail to the BT CEO explaining your issue and it will be forwarded to Executive Complaints. Good luck. *******

[mod edit: email details removed from the public forum]

[gg30340]

@Kimberlin 

Out of interest now that the OP has replied what would you suggest?