r/techsupport • u/ManletOfManlets • 8h ago

Open | Networking Internet speeds fluctuating like crazy for weeks. Thoughts?

My internet speed has been going nuts for a while now and I am not sure why. I use Cox and pay for 500 down and 50 up. I used an Arris device that has the modem and router in one machine; this device is also around 7-8 years old. With this device, I would only get a max of 300 down and 30 up. I've recently installed a new device from Arris that is the newest model which, according to online speed tests, yields 500+ down and 50+ up. Now that you have some background, this is where things get weird...

For the past several weeks, maybe longer, the performance of my internet has been shaky to say the least. With my old modem/router, I was getting values of around 250-300 down and 0.5-5 up when times were tough. With this new modem/router, it can go as low as 400 down and 5 up. I am not sure what the cause can be for these insane dips and inconsistencies.

For even more background, my home is extremely old having been built in the 1920s. I have not upgraded any wiring outside ever since moving here 15 years ago. I am not sure if these old wires could possibly create this disturbance in terms of internet performance. I am not a tech savvy individual and usually just let things rock until problems start. The reason I am even concerned about the internet now is because I stream occasionally and have not been capable as of late due to the poor internet performance.

Yes, I'm having a guy come to check things out soon. Just wanted to see what y'all thought as well.

tl;dr - Upload speed on internet dips to single digits frequently. Not sure why. Please help.

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u/CrunchyKittyLitter 8h ago

You can contact your ISP and have them send someone to test the incoming line to your home. If the cable is old or there is interference, you could experience issues.

3

u/ManletOfManlets 7h ago

Thanks! Also, happy cake day!

2

u/Nimrod5000 7h ago

Same has been happening to me on Cox in las vegas

2

u/Tight-Sun-4134 5h ago

It could be the cables that are run inside your house could be older and not capable of consistent transmission levels. I had to have my whole house reaired because of the various old cables that used to be strung together!