Help with ping/latency issues

RT123

RT123

RT123

Associate
Joined
6 Apr 2024
Posts
205
Location
London, UK
Hi,

Was wondering if anyone can help.

I have a 250mbps connection with Virgin Media. I am experiencing latency issues that are stopping me from playing games.

I've tried using both WiFi and Ethernet - both have the same issue, though ethernet is maybe a little more reliable.

A few questions:

  • I have a Hub 3 - would buying/getting a new router help?
  • Virgin (on X/Twitter) have tried to tell me that I need to upgrade the speed as there are 17 devices connected - would this help? (I don't think so - I tried this morning and only the device I was testing on was in use and it still happened). Wouldn't want to do it with Virgin anyway.
  • Is VM just bad for latency - I recently got access to OpenReach FTTP if that would improve things?
  • Anything I can do to fix/reduce the issue?
Thanks for any assistance.
 
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Is the ping just good for Virgin? I’m getting spikes up to 150-200ms on Ethernet. Even when I’m not, the variations are having a significant impact on gameplay - I’m autistic so really struggle (it causes me a lot of stress) with game interruptions.

I’m also experiencing poor quality with the Internet itself - particularly when watching YouTube or a livestream? This has become more apparent in the last week or so. As are the regular dropouts, but that’s just a thing with them in general I think!

Sorry for all the questions - I know a little but not too much about networks
 
Thanks Rainmaker.

That really helped me understand the problem. I’ve had to test it with a laptop with an i5 12th gen (1235U) and 16GB RAM because I can’t test it with my main computer (I also have a physical disability - so can’t really be drilling holes - even if I had one!) - that's the device I had massive spikes that I didn't have on WiFi! Was trying to test it to see if a Powerline adapter would make a difference - but the Ethernet was almost as bad!

Bufferbloat: https://www.waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat?test-id=c2aa5434-f53f-4845-aca2-e485a5363895

TestMyLatency: https://testmy.net/latency?gID=zhfsojfqpq

Can't find a link for the Cloudflare - what would you need from that?
 
GregI said:
Unfortunately just seems to be one of the problems with Virgin Media. I do think it's much better if Nexfibre have rolled out in your area (they wholesale to Virgin Media) but yes Openreach FTTP will help. How long is left on the contract?
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4 months (i'm trying to get them to fix it or release me). But I'm happy to have the OR running alongside it if it would help. Unfortunately I'm on the older HFS or whatever connection and my area doesn't have the newer Nexfibre infrastructure for Virgin.
 
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Rainmaker said:
Sorry, I wrote this ages ago but I forgot to post it (kids!). It depends on which ISP you choose. Some don't provide a router at all, but they're generally poor. If you care about latency and bufferbloat then personally I'd go x86 or at least get a decent router and only shape the upstream (consumer routers aren't powerful enough to run SQM/Cake on the downstream). Do a search on the forum for FTTP and ISPs, there's literally days worth of reading to help you out.
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No problem, thanks!
 
Thanks guys.

Just one last question: I have no way of getting an Ethernet cable from where the router (due to having a rental property and a disability) would be to upstairs. Would a powerline adapter setup be best or would there be a more suitable solution?
 
Rainmaker said:
Speak to your landlord. Tell them the walls block WiFi and as your disability can prevent you freely moving up/downstairs you hope they have no objection to a professional cable run. It wouldn't cost much at all (CheckATrade or similar) and would be essentially invisible. Solid core copper exterior grade and two faceplates, and the job's a good 'un. It's also possible, but more hassle, to route internally. That'd be my recommendation, because nothing replaces a wire, unfortunately. Avoid powerline like the plague.
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;)
 
mejinks said:
Ive been with Virgin for a looong time as there was no alternative until recently. My idle latency is usually around 20ms and games playing is not really a good experience. As soon as our Virgin contract is up, I will be moving.
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It's the same situation here - we've been with them for 7 years as there was no better alternative.
 
Back again

VM techs have been out 3 times in the last few weeks - a cable (reroute - I’m guessing - the tech today was the same useless tech I had last Thursday) is now being done on Tuesday. The Hub3 was replaced with another Hub3 on Tuesday this week.

Will this improve the stability of my connection or should I still be looking to get an OR connection in ASAP?

Thanks.
 
Orcvader said:
If ethernet isn't an option, mesh works as a good alternative.

Power lines have more variables which can affect stability. Depending on the building if for example upstairs and downstairs are on different circuits, it would sync at a very low rate and may even have worse latency than WiFi.

Noticed your location says London, as well as Openreach based networks, you can also look up Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, and G.Network, these three altnets work around the area and usually is cheaper, with bonus of having symmetric download/upload speeds.
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Unfortunately CF were supposed to have been installing in my area, but seem to have managed to avoid my road. They're now saying it's not in their plans.
:(
 
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Turns out there was no reason for the repull (levels etc were fine), so the engineer replaced the Hub with a Hub5 this afternoon.

I'm not surprised - given the Engineer on Saturday wasn't very good.

The good news is the exec team responded today (A bit before the appointment) and were willing to waive any ETF's if the issue persists. I'm going to monitor over the next few days just to make sure - but currently the issue is still occuring. Only had a BQM on for a few hours, but it's still showing spikes as well: https://www.thinkbroadband.com/broa...view/e7ec40c88af2a60a0ba085f7bbdf4571faf60dde

As I've mentioned in my previous posts, I'm a bit confused in regards to routers and would appreciate some guidance on what's needed.
 
Ad_Augendae said:
QOS may help, I can't see any of your graphs though, maybe my add-blocking might be causing that. (anybody re-poste a pic for me)
FQ_Codel helps me get better usage from my 250/25 VM connection, although in your use case I wouldn't recommend what I use router wise.
My graph using wifi is here with QOS enabled https://www.waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat?test-id=b096994b-1f0a-454f-926b-c8e70ecce1e7
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oops - my mistake! Here you go! https://www.thinkbroadband.com/broa...755e3e20fe9c7225f6e4f5adb8873e6b3e-16-04-2024

old Hub3 BQM - ignore from 2pm: https://www.thinkbroadband.com/broa...hare/acd97c5d06d3658d22042865b74f9644f7a13e99
 
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Ad_Augendae said:
Thanks, like all things it depends on the area and usage, just because FTTP is available doesn't always mean it will be better. In most cases yes, ask around is your best bet.
For me QOS does help but for that you want a router with at least a quad core 64 bit processor with easy to implement QOS options. As for your graphs you seem to have a little packet loss, nothing major atm. But something to keep an eye on. Have a mooch at the router stats and see if you have any uncorreted errors (post RS errors) or T3/T4 timeouts 192.168.0.1 IE you shouldn't have loads for just a short period.
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Thanks. I haven’t checked the new one yet but there were thousands of PostRS errors in the channels and some T3 Timeouts on the old router.
 
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