Forum Discussion

NokyX's avatar
NokyX
New Contributor II
4 years ago

Intermittent disconnects and packet loss

Hello,

Issue:

Issue 1: Every few minutes or so I get 1-3% packet loss. Sometimes it can go up to 20%, but this usually only happens 1-2 times a day. 

Issue 2: My internet will drop connection. There is no trigger for this. It happens any time. The odd thing is that when the internet drops, I can still hear my friends talking on discord. I cannot speak back to them, but I will be able to listen to their conversation while I wait for discord to drop me for disconnect issues. It's almost as if my packets being received are coming in fine, while the packets trying to leave are getting lost. When the internet goes out, all the Wi-Fi and ethernet connections disconnect as well. I know this because, my wife's ethernet connected computer disconnects, and the PlayStation on Wi-Fi disconnects. Also, my phone disconnects. None of the lights on the modem change. The internet usually comes back on 1-2 minutes later, but this happens frequently. Usually around every 30 minutes. If I run a tracert to google.com it says that the Destination host is unreachable.

My setup:

I have a Motorola Gigabyte modem with Docsys 3.0. That is connected to a UBNT Edgerouter X Router (Firmware is up to date), the router is connected to a TL-SG1210P switch, and the switch is connected to an access point for Wi-Fi and 2 computers.

The Coaxial is directly connected from the tap to the modem. No splitting.

The Coaxial cable has been completely replaced by a Cox technician, and tested for assurance.

What has been done:

I have had two different technicians come to my house and confirm that the node that feeds internet to the neighborhood is malfunctioning. The first technician setup a test that would check the node directly and report back any problems. She found tons of issues, and put in a work order to fix the node. The node was reported "serviced" in November. The packet loss issues started coming back, and with each day they worsen. The technician has since ghosted me, and will not respond to my recurring issues. The packet loss used to be consistent and around 15-50% loss. Since the node has been service, the issue has lessoned, but still persists.

Before this, I had a DIFFERENT technician who didn't understand what packet loss was, but at least believed there was an issue because my upload speed was almost 0. He hooked up his monitor to my modem directly; the problem persisted. I kept trying to convince him that the problem lies with the node, but he didn't understand. I had him switch my modem out for a cox modem to prove to him that it wasn't my modem. The problem still persisted. We hooked my modem back up, and I took him outside to check the line feeding into the tap for my house. The problem persisted. We scoured through my neighborhood, and found the node that distributes internet to everyone, and hooked DIRECTLY into the node. The problem persisted. He called his superior, and the superior said he will have to send a specialist out to service the node, because there is something wrong with it.

When the problems started to arise again in December, I tried to contact the technician who left me a work number, but they didn't respond. I tried calling Cox again, and they wanted to send out ANOTHER technician. I cancelled, because I've already been through this loop many times, and if the problem isn't occurring when they show up, then they will say that everything is fine. I am also afraid of getting another incompetent technician.

I am willing to jump through some more hoops for technicians if they need more clarification on the issues. Let me know what you would like me to do.

Thank you.

  • Issue #2 fixed:

    I had a friend hook up a meter to the power going into my router, and power supply (for the router). The router was shorting out and causing random disconnects. We opened it up and it had a bad capacitor.

    Issue #1 still yet to be fixed, as I currently sitting on 2-8% packet loss. Tech coming out tomorrow to see what the problem is. I was able to ask one of the cox service providers for a technician that is in-house and not 3rd party, so fingers crossed.

  • NokyX's avatar
    NokyX
    New Contributor II

    Final reply for Issue #1:

    Cox Communications was not able to fix my packet loss.

    • Cweis's avatar
      Cweis
      New Contributor II

      You're not alone in your frustration. Been dealing with similar issues for years in my neighborhood in Mesa. So sad

    • Allan's avatar
      Allan
      Moderator
      @NokyX, I'm so glad you contacted us about this ongoing packet loss issue and it's important that we get it fixed. I recommend sending us an email with your full name and address to cox.help@cox.com so we can look further into this issue for you. -Allan, Cox Support Forums Moderator.
  • NokyX's avatar
    NokyX
    New Contributor II

    Update on issue #1:

    The Tech Specialist came, and I showed him where the node was. I wasn't having severe packet loss (only 1%), so he believes it's happening because of too much congestion.

    He was a nice guy. He monitored everything and answered all my questions. After our conversation he said he wanted to check the noise through the channel. There was no noise coming from my house to the node, but there was from the node to the ISP. He said it was enough noise to cause the packet loss that I am describing.

    He created a new ticket for noise on the node, and he will try his best to repair the problem. I will check back on the ticket later, and give a final update; however, he said it's very possible that he might not be able to fix it, because there is no way of pinpointing exactly what it causing the issue. If the noise can't be fixed, then I have to chalk it up to congestion, and wait for cox infrastructure to get updated; which typically requires permits before they are allowed to work on anything.

  • NokyX's avatar
    NokyX
    New Contributor II

    Follow up on tech visit (bold for TLDR):

    Tech was very perceptive. I told him what has been done, and after checking the basics, he went straight to the node. His meter doesn't tell him much on his end (I'm guessing just upload + download). He had to call it in to his supervisor to run some tests.

    The tests came back with 100% packet loss. I don't know what kind of packets they are sending, because I can only emulate that with giant packet sizes. Whatever, doesn't matter to me, because I do have packet loss regardless of size. The supervisor will set up an appointment with a Cox employee to come service the node.

    The technician told me that Cox doesn't have the option for him to "inform the customer when services are completed," so I'll be messaging the Cox reps on the email in order to see if I can get an update on that work order.

    Unfortunately, I am not hopeful, since I've already been in this position before (Tech already found packet loss straight from the node in October); however, I have been struggling with these problems since July 2020, and I think Cox is starting to realize that their infrastructure cannot support the new era. That's why we are seeing them constantly lower upload speeds in their new packages.

    • Lanyu's avatar
      Lanyu
      New Contributor

      I am having the same intermittent disconnections from my wifi. I have tested different things, restated the modem, troubleshoot Devices, etc. I suspect it is a similar issue with the node And congestion. It has been an issue since before the pandemic started, but has progressively gotten worse over time. I tried calling once, but they did not see any issues on their end 

      • Allan's avatar
        Allan
        Moderator
        @Lanyu, I recommend sending us an email with your full name, address, and a brief description of the concern to cox.help@cox.com so we can take a closer look.. -Allan, Cox Support Forums Moderator.
  • NokyX's avatar
    NokyX
    New Contributor II

    Issue #2 fixed:

    I had a friend hook up a meter to the power going into my router, and power supply (for the router). The router was shorting out and causing random disconnects. We opened it up and it had a bad capacitor.

    Issue #1 still yet to be fixed, as I currently sitting on 2-8% packet loss. Tech coming out tomorrow to see what the problem is. I was able to ask one of the cox service providers for a technician that is in-house and not 3rd party, so fingers crossed.

    • JonathanJ's avatar
      JonathanJ
      Former Moderator
      @NokyX

      Please let us know if you have any further issues after the tech visit.

      Jonathan J
      Cox Moderator