Massive ping/latency spikes on new WiFi 7 router

[JamesG94]

Hello,

I've recently migrated from BT and have just installed my equipment for my Full Fibre 900 line. Our download/upload speeds are great and consistent, but whenever a video buffers I get massive ping spikes. This is a repeatable, reliable thing that I can demonstrate: start pinging 8.8.8.8, open a new tab, play a youtube video and the ping will spike to 2000ms+. This happens whenever a video buffers too.

We have a WiFi 7  router plugged into the ONT downstairs, and I'm using an ethernet connection into the Wifi Smart booster upstairs.

I've tried to disable the 2.4gz and 6hz band and see if only using 5ghz will be more reliable, but the booster refuses to pair when only the 5ghz band is available. Turning on the 6ghz band immediately connects the booster, but the above issue persists.

Can anyone advise me on further steps? I'm trying to use the connection for gaming which is impossible when it has massive spikes every 10-20 seconds.

Another, easier to see example of the spikes happening over a 5 minute period:

[JimM11]

@JamesG94 I use the EE Smarthub+ currently primary router, just so i can quickly check and know what is going on with it, nothing out of the ordinary, have 2 x Asus XT8 1st is Nat to the EE, and 2nd is wired backhaul to the 1st Asus, the RE is the RP-AX58 but in RE mode to the EE router, no connection to the Asus what so ever, and then TP-Link Powerline in straight Ethernet for some, and wireless for other's, ring and sat tv, remote in the garage for wife on the you tube video's / music will working out on the treadmill, bless her little heart. Now been doing this for over 40 years and i know how to get the best out off a network, and have seen many issues over the years, non on mine apart from a dodgy cable before going to FF now 14 day's on it, same EE router from day 1, and went through the mill for 2 months with EE/OR until i got the cable sorted by OR and had all this, we will send you a new router, NO you wont there is nothing wrong with the one i have.

Asus XT9's are the latest, but i just do not like spider antenna / ariels and would end up having a fit if i was to look at them all the time...

There will be nothing wrong with your Pro router, and Smart wireless but would certainly consider just connecting them both up on the ethernet incase the FW is slightly out of whack with each other. The updates all happen early hours of the morning and when EE decide, just NO way of pushing it along.

[JimM11]

@JamesG94 And typical what you would see in any Asus AI mesh setup.

Asus XT8's

Edit added the RP also so you can see.

Asus RP-AX58

[JamesG94 · Accepted solution]

Final update on this, I've purchased and installed a Network adapater to my desktop and tried the wifi both directly to the router (no mesh involved) and with both smart wifi pros running.

Direct to just the hub, 4 meters away direct (through the floor) I got between 12 and 80 ping, fluctuating whenever something heavy was being downloaded. With this setup the max Mbps I was able to receive was around 300 at most.

I've turned on and re-paired the Smart WiFi Pro devices, I'm now getting 800Mbps with a fairly steady 15ms.

For a final "it was definitely this" test, I then plugged in the ethernet cable to the Smart WiFi pro and played a video; immediate 1440ms spike.

Etherneting into the booster seems like it's generally terrible, I'll try to locate my router a bit closer vertically as a final slight improvement, but WiFi seems like the only way to go.

EDIT: 10 minutes later the ping spikes are back. Cancelling the EE contract and returning back to BT.

[JimM11]

@JamesG94 Sorry that it did not all work out, does it appear that the smart wireless device when powered on is the whole mainstay of the inflated ping stability, Ethernet connected was a No No for your PC through the device, and then wireless just kicked back in after the settled delay! In operation would have expected as per your result's good wireless performance due to the two devices, Ethernet port not sure of yet but has been one posting, OP put 2.5Gb/s switch between and problem cleared instantly, did not seem to like a 1Gb/s interface connection on the booster for some reason. 

[JamesG94]

Turned out that EE never actually activated our services, due to an issue with BT's side when we renewed our contract 6 months ago. We were paying full price with no stability of service.

I'm in the cooling off period with EE so I'll be cancelling and saving £25 a month by signing up to BT as a new customer.