Powerline adapters were causing my internet connection to drop

rubberduck · 20 Aug 2020 at 22:04

Just an FYI... I used to have a powerline network that performed adequately but I was always plagued my DSL connection dropping and reconnecting on average once or twice a day.... I tried loads of things to fix this... Upon ripping out the powerline network and going full CAT5E I haven't had a single DC in over 3 weeks now... This lined up perfectly with me removing my powerline attached to my router... If I had had my powerline going via a switch I am sure it would have been ok but definitely was causing me problems connected to an RJ45 on my modem/router.

Zefan · 20 Aug 2020 at 22:41

What was actually dropping? Your DSL connection from your router/modem out to ISP or just the link connected by powerlines? If the former, that weird, if the latter, Powerlines are known for this, a lot of the time from my experience it has something to do with a power saving/sleep function.

bremen1874 · 21 Aug 2020 at 01:34

I've seen multiple anecdotal reports of Powerline adapters causing interference with VDSL connections.

Any chance that this was a Sky connection?

Firegod · 21 Aug 2020 at 16:18

Silly question time but you didn't have the adapters in a surge protector or any multi-gangs did you? Just checking.

rubberduck · 21 Aug 2020 at 21:01

Yes the DSL connection was actually dropping, my powerline adapter allowed me to log in to the router and see that it had DCed and was reconnecting (previously I had solved the sleep issue). I had all powerline plugged directly in to wall outlets although some had the passthrough which hence went in to multi gang extensions. And yes it was on sky broadband.

Firegod · 22 Aug 2020 at 09:08

rubberduck said:
...I had all powerline plugged directly in to wall outlets although some had the passthrough which hence went in to multi gang extensions...

Ah, might explain it. Even though they are pass through that doesn't mean they can be used in multi gang extensions. Sadly, they still need to be direct into an electrical socket on the same circuit / ring.

Take TP-Link's 9020 Pass Through adapters - https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/powerline/tl-pa9020p-kit/ and the quick install guide for them - https://static.tp-link.com/2019/201908/20190821/7106508379_TL-PA9020P KIT_QIG_V1.pdf - it still says not to use power strips.

Try it again if you can without the gangs, may solve the issue for you.