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:

[JamesG94]

Previously we had a BT Smart Hub 2 and their wifi extender disc, on exactly the same hardware with no additional devices connected it began randomly degrading on an evening for around 5 or 6 months. My partner left for work this morning and I've disconnected every device apart from my desktop and ran the same tests as above, same issue. Also the pictures have loaded to demonstrate the ping spikes I believe

[JimM11]

@JamesG94 If you can http://192.168.1.254 to get on the hub manager with your PC, click on the Status tab top left right click capture the screen shot, full page and then the main screen, have done samples from mine so you see. And nothing attached to you latest posting yet.

Status ScreenHub manager screen

[JamesG94]

I'll paste it here to dodge the image pending issue:

Check your Hub’s status

This is a quick overview of your Hub's status.

Connection status:

Connected

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Connection type:

External (FTTX)

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App version:

2.34.2

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Firmware version:

r2.64.3-R-1213091-PROD-1

---

Serial number:

+119746+2437000613

---

WAN link speed:

1000 Mbps

---

Network uptime:

7 Hrs 57 Mins

---

System uptime:

7 Hrs 58 Mins

Weirdly I opened this thread in a private tab without being logged in etc and the images loaded fine, but no bother. The text attached from last night should be enough.

[JimM11]

@JamesG94 The norm is that you alone see your images fine, everyone else is a wait just in case there is something that can be used as this is a public forum, so like on my attached if you can see them no problem then they are instant for viewing.

Not disputing in the slightest that you have a problem, 1st up on the new router with a very similar complaint to what goes on with the older Smarthub+ and it is needed to establish, 1 is it the router, 2 is it just the wireless because the wired is great, zero issue's, 3 if wireless what can be done to solve it. I just reinstalled my sister's EE after a OR install, moved it of the floor to height of 5' and went from night to day operation, she now get's her 150mb/s speed wireless / wired throughout every room and has not once complained, and it was not to bad to start with although she was getting around the 100 range.

Edit: and from your paste, i can see that the router was reset 8 hours ago, if that was you powering it off/on.

[JimM11]

@JamesG94 And quite honestly if it was not for the requirement to have an Ethernet connection that you are using pushed through the smart wireless extender, at 4M and directly below the router, then i would be surprised that an extender is even really required. 

[JamesG94]

I've managed to isolate the issue to the booster itself. I powered that off, power cycled the ONT and used my work laptop connected only to the hub wifi which didn't introduce the same latency spikes I was seeing before. I tested for upwards of an hour without any issues at all.

I switched and re-paired the booster, got my laptop to connect to that (the signal is stronger so it's obvious when it has) and the latency issue came back immediately.

I've ordered a wifi card for my desktop and will have to deal with the reduced speeds that delivers, but realistically if the latency issue is only related to the booster itself then it's the best option for right now.

I'll report back when I have the wifi card installed and my PC connected, I hope that is the last step in resolving this

[JimM11]

@JamesG94 It's good that your first step showed the improvement, not knowing were the Smart wireless device is at with respect to the Pro router, but there is in the advanced / wireless / extenders an area that you can possibly look at, now not having any of this wifi 7 kit i cannot say for sure, but would look there to start, especially at the FW to see if it is matching what the router is at, if not take it and ethernet connect to the pro router and leave it for a few day's to see if it gets an update pushed to it, wireless wifi mesh can be a complete cluster (flop) and do hope that your intended wireless upgrade path that you are choosing will work OOB, as for reduced speed's until you try you will not know, my 5 year old asus laptop connects 1760/1760 mostly by default on a 160Mhz EE wide channel and is only a wifi 5 device, but on my Asus XT8 router it jumps back to 860/860 just because the router likes to be 80 wide, and i really don't care because it is fast enough and the Asus is supposed to do 160 wide so what will look see some day....

And it is one off the major constraint's of the ONT position to the EE Router position, best is Router out in the Central location at about head height spanning the whole area, and then wireless extenders placed about as needed, but never have them so close that the fight each other which can happen, speed is speed but there is far too much i bought 900mb/s so i want this all the time, network's just do not operate that way and anyone gaming will see it instantly for sure...👍👍

[JamesG94]

Yeah I'm hoping the WiFi 6 card will be more than fine, as long as I have a stable connection that's all that matters frankly. Bit annoying we've had to pay an additional £10 per month for this but I'm over it at this point.

Annoyingly I've installed the old BT equipment so I can use the internet while awaiting delivery, same setup (4m from hub, wifi disc that I'm etherneted into) and this was the ping results while downloading a 5gb update to COD and watching a video, while my partner updates the PS5:

Ping statistics for 8.8.8.8:
Packets: Sent = 300, Received = 300, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 8ms, Maximum = 24ms, Average = 10ms

This is what its been like for years until it randomly degraded!

[JimM11]

@JamesG94 Good old trusted wifi (5) tech, AX wifi (6) is just NO way near as forgiving and with manufacturing adopting the now what seems norm the none allowance to split band naming harder to see what is going on, If you had not been on the FF 900 package or doing what you are trying which by the way is NOT wrong, i would have said stick with the BT Router/Smart wireless, they do appear to be very functional and operate VERY well, but alas you will struggle wireless speed wise from your PC down to the router, BUT if you are as i said earlier not a speed freak, it will be way more acceptable and probably more stable, down side is the STUPID EE app not working with the BT router's but you never know maybe one off these day's it will just all gel together...

It's a hard one for the extra cost, you are well future proofed when wifi 7 does come to light and i will say this, its not for a while yet unless you have deep pockets and plenty money, so it is/can be money well spent, i sure could not go out and buy a router and extender for £240, my 2 Asus router's and the Asus RE alone is £500 but then i never have ANY issues with them...

BB is just so frustrating when not working right...👍👍

[JamesG94]

Do you have the models of router you're using alongside the Asus REs?

I'd stick with the BT equipment but they're pending a return as we've migrated to EE, if the connection is stable for a while I might just eat the cost (£130) and keep the kit...