Internet disconnecting when playing games.

[zaccaz153]

I am having a weird issue that I need help with, at least as far as which direction to go to start solving the problem. My desktop is hooked up to an ASUS AX5700 router with a 125ft CAT7 ethernet cable. My service provider is fiber so there is an ONT i think is what it is called. The problem started happening I believe after I installed the new router but I really cant quite remember if that is the case. Every time I play video games online in the evening with my friends, my internet disconnects two times, about 5 minutes apart from eachother, every night, and then continues to work flawlessly the rest of the night. The disconnect is pretty short, maybe 20 seconds before it reconnects. There have been a few times when I could still chat in discord and hear my friends even though Steam was disconnected. The icon at the bottom right of my desktop is a little world icon instead of the ethernet icon. What's weird is that it only happens twice, then works fine, which makes me think it's not an ethernet cable issue. I've power cycled my router and updated everything. I've disabled firewall. I've disabled the ability of the computer to put my ethernet adapter to sleep. Also my wife olays with me as well on the same router but she is on WIFI and has zero issues. So I'm just looking for some insight into what to do. RMA the router? Motherboard ethernet port is faulty? ISP? Maybe it could be the cable still. I'm so frustrated haha, I'm usually able to figure these little issues out. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[nomdeplume]

125' makes me believe this has a lower level of feasibility.

Try reversing the Cat7 cable?

 

[apenland01]

I hate those little glitches! Since it's a new router, I would login to the router and update firmware, then download updated/correct MB LAN drivers and make sure your network is plugged into the wall direct for a short bit. Once you've done all that, see if it's stable. My kid is on a 100' CAT5e, but at 125ft, I believe you are at the limit for cable length. However, I wouldn't think it would disconnect, just degrade the performance. Good luck!

 

[zaccaz153]

125' makes me believe this has a lower level of feasibility.

Try reversing the Cat7 cable?

Wasn’t aware the length limit was so low. I’ll try a 100’ cable and see if that works. I don’t actually need 125. Thank you.

I hate those little glitches! Since it's a new router, I would login to the router and update firmware, then download updated/correct MB LAN drivers and make sure your network is plugged into the wall direct for a short bit. Once you've done all that, see if it's stable. My kid is on a 100' CAT5e, but at 125ft, I believe you are at the limit for cable length. However, I wouldn't think it would disconnect, just degrade the performance. Good luck!

Thanks I will try a motherboard lan driver update. Only thing I haven’t tried.

 

[nomdeplume]

Wasn’t aware the length limit was so low. I’ll try a 100’ cable and see if that works. I don’t actually need 125. Thank you.

To be clear I was referring to seeing if the problem resolves itself by running the cable in opposite direction. Plug currently at computer used on router and end into the router moved to computer.

Length was only mentioned as a concern because it is a long cable that might be tough to reroute just to satisfy a silly idea off the internet. There are examples of this curing ills so I'm not completely crazy. If you have the tools you might also consider freshly terminating each end with different plugs just to make doubly sure everything is connected properly.

Cat7 should be fine at 125'. Robot made cables could come off the spool wrong or just not quite pass human inspection before getting sealed. Lots of guesswork that could have nothing to do with your problem. 10' cable from router under a desk is simple to swap sides that are connected to devices.

 

[ir_cow]

I've run many CAT cables over 300', but if you need to make sure the cable is up to spec. Must be shielded and is copper wires, not copper clad (which is aluminum wires). 125' is not a lot, even CAT5 can do that and get 80 MB/s with the cheapest cables. I think you have something else going on. Maybe a wire is broken somewhere in the middle. Though you can lose a twisted pair and it will work, just not very fast.

CAT5 - 100 MHz (Max 80MB/s)
CAT6 - 500 MHz outer shielding. (Max 900~ MB/s)
CAT7 - 600 MHz each twisted pair is shielded. (Max 1 GB/s +)

 

[zaccaz153]

I've run many CAT cables over 300', but if you need to make sure the cable is up to spec. Must be shielded and is copper wires, not copper clad (which is aluminum wires). 125' is not a lot, even CAT5 can do that and get 80 MB/s with the cheapest cables. I think you have something else going on. Maybe a wire is broken somewhere in the middle. Though you can lose a twisted pair and it will work, just not very fast.

CAT5 - 100 MHz (Max 80MB/s)
CAT6 - 500 MHz outer shielding. (Max 900~ MB/s)
CAT7 - 600 MHz each twisted pair is shielded. (Max 1 GB/s +)

Thanks for the info. I have a suspicion now that the cable might be damaged. I wasn’t very careful when running it through my basement.

 

[eidairaman1]

Thanks for the info. I have a suspicion now that the cable might be damaged. I wasn’t very careful when running it through my basement.

Staples can cut wires

 

[RJARRRPCGP]

I am having a weird issue that I need help with, at least as far as which direction to go to start solving the problem. My desktop is hooked up to an ASUS AX5700 router with a 125ft CAT7 ethernet cable. My service provider is fiber so there is an ONT i think is what it is called. The problem started happening I believe after I installed the new router but I really cant quite remember if that is the case. Every time I play video games online in the evening with my friends, my internet disconnects two times, about 5 minutes apart from eachother, every night, and then continues to work flawlessly the rest of the night. The disconnect is pretty short, maybe 20 seconds before it reconnects. There have been a few times when I could still chat in discord and hear my friends even though Steam was disconnected. The icon at the bottom right of my desktop is a little world icon instead of the ethernet icon. What's weird is that it only happens twice, then works fine, which makes me think it's not an ethernet cable issue. I've power cycled my router and updated everything. I've disabled firewall. I've disabled the ability of the computer to put my ethernet adapter to sleep. Also my wife olays with me as well on the same router but she is on WIFI and has zero issues. So I'm just looking for some insight into what to do. RMA the router? Motherboard ethernet port is faulty? ISP? Maybe it could be the cable still. I'm so frustrated haha, I'm usually able to figure these little issues out. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

I suggest the shortest cat cable from the ONT to the router! I have FTTH. I'm doing fine with cat5e.

 

[ir_cow]

Staples can cut wires

Oh true! And if two pairs are damaged, you will have full drop outs.

 

[Mussels]

I've run many CAT cables over 300', but if you need to make sure the cable is up to spec. Must be shielded and is copper wires, not copper clad (which is aluminum wires). 125' is not a lot, even CAT5 can do that and get 80 MB/s with the cheapest cables. I think you have something else going on. Maybe a wire is broken somewhere in the middle. Though you can lose a twisted pair and it will work, just not very fast.

CAT5 - 100 MHz (Max 80MB/s)
CAT6 - 500 MHz outer shielding. (Max 900~ MB/s)
CAT7 - 600 MHz each twisted pair is shielded. (Max 1 GB/s +)

^ This
The length limits vary by speed and also rely on a quality undamaged cable being properly termninated at the ends
Cat7 is not a regular ethernet standard and is more or less made up bullshit - stick with 5e, 6, or 6a

Yes, its a standard - but not one made by the same IEEE group, and not one designed for RJ45 jacks

A lot of whats for sale is mystery cables, like how you can buy a USB 4.0 80Gb cable off amazon but it's a USB 2.0 painted blue

 

[ir_cow]

@Mussels CAT7 is kinda like CAT6 and CAT8..somewhere a lot closer to CAT6E. You can name the Cable 5,6,7,8. Its the MHz and working length that is the real thing that is important. Tighter twisted pairs, with each pair shielded is needed for true 600 MHz. I've bought a bunch of CAT6E that said 600 MHz on it. Even though it had outer shielding and pair shielding, still topped out at 900 MB/s. Oh the ends have to be shielded too if you are doing super long runs. I know the op isn't, but when your going across an entire warehouse (in my situation a TV station). Shielded stuff matters.

 

[zaccaz153]

^ This
The length limits vary by speed and also rely on a quality undamaged cable being properly termninated at the ends
Cat7 is not a regular ethernet standard and is more or less made up bullshit - stick with 5e, 6, or 6a

Yes, its a standard - but not one made by the same IEEE group, and not one designed for RJ45 jacks

A lot of whats for sale is mystery cables, like how you can buy a USB 4.0 80Gb cable off amazon but it's a USB 2.0 painted blue

View attachment 281602

Yea I went ahead and bought a Cat6. It was cheap so why not try it out.

 

[Mussels]

@Mussels CAT7 is kinda like CAT6 and CAT8..somewhere a lot closer to CAT6E. You can name the Cable 5,6,7,8. Its the MHz and working length that is the real thing that is important. Tighter twisted pairs, with each pair shielded is needed for true 600 MHz. I've bought a bunch of CAT6E that said 600 MHz on it. Even though it had outer shielding and pair shielding, still topped out at 900 MB/s. Oh the ends have to be shielded too if you are doing super long runs. I know the op isn't, but when your going across an entire warehouse (in my situation a TV station). Shielded stuff matters.

My point is that being a different standard that's basically non-existent means you can get a hell of a lot of fake garbage cables, since they arent actually being verified

The moment you use an RJ45 end in a normal network on those cables, they basically shrug and say good luck - and is likely related to the OP's issues with that rather long length cable

 

[TumbleGeorge]

The sudden repeatability of the cases and after them trouble-free operation does not speak of a hardware defect in the cable. Check with your ISP to see if they have set up some initial login check that isn't working as expected.

 

[Chomiq]

Had the same thing happen, turned out it was all due the Ugreen CAT 6a thin cable. Replaced it with the one CAT 5E cable (yellow thicc boy) from my old router and problem went away.

 

[Bill_Bright]

In theory, 125 feet should not be a problem ASSUMING the cable is in perfect condition and not damaged, is not crimped or have any kinks in it, or is subject to excessive EMI/RFI.

The problem started happening I believe after I installed the new router but I really cant quite remember if that is the case.

Are you saying it used to work fine with that same 125 foot cable and the old router?

If this was me, I would thoroughly inspect the cable for damage - especially if it runs under rugs or may be subject to being tripped over, or damage from hungry insects, teething puppy dawgs, or inquisitive tots.

I also would just snip off the ends and re-terminate with new connectors. Sadly, most factory made cables are never quality tested before they leave the factory. For this reason (and so I can get the exact length I want), I always make my own cables. And I always test them too.

I would also try a different port on the router/switch. They can go bad too.

 

[zaccaz153]

Will do. I have another cable ready to go when I’m ready to inspect. The thing that is just strange to me is that it happens almost exactly 5 minutes after I turn my computer on, every time. That’s why I initially disabled my firewall. I’m wondering if there is some sort of setting in my router doing something funky.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I hope you have re-enabled your FW.

 

[Dr. Dro]

I'm curious, do you have an Intel i225-V NIC?

 

[zaccaz153]

I'm curious, do you have an Intel i225-V NIC?

Not sure I’m at work, but I’ve recently updated to the latest drivers so would that resolve it if that was the issue?

 

[nomdeplume]

Had the same thing happen, turned out it was all due the Ugreen CAT 6a thin cable. Replaced it with the one CAT 5E cable (yellow thicc boy) from my old router and problem went away.

Good to hear your problem was resolved. Obviously an older known working cable that's already on hand is a very low cost solution.

For the sake of this discussion I'll mention a more expensive and easy fix. Wifi to ethernet bridges that remove need for snaking cables through the basement. I have no personal experience or ability to recommend one brand or model here. Again, there is basis to suggest this capable of bringing your issues to a conclusion.

 

[Redwoodz]

I'm curious, do you have an Intel i225-V NIC?

^This. Known issue, probably started after Windows updated the drivers.

 

[Mussels]

This whole "works, crashes, works good" thing reminds me of speed negotiation failing on a second thought, such as running at gigabit full duplex then erroring out enough to drop to 100Mb


It may not be at those exact speeds but it fits the behavior of re-negotiating the connection i've had with bad cables in the past

 

[Athlonite]

I hate those little glitches! Since it's a new router, I would login to the router and update firmware, then download updated/correct MB LAN drivers and make sure your network is plugged into the wall direct for a short bit. Once you've done all that, see if it's stable. My kid is on a 100' CAT5e, but at 125ft, I believe you are at the limit for cable length. However, I wouldn't think it would disconnect, just degrade the performance. Good luck!

Nope that's incorrect the max limit for CAT5e is 100 meters not 125 feet that's 38.1 meters which is well within spec

as for the disconnects that sounds like an overheating router make sure it's in a well ventilated area you could also sit a box/floor fan next to it so there's good air movement past the router if it stops disconnecting you know it's overheating

I've had routers that have small heatsinks on the chip be knocked of through rough courier handlin and continuosly over heat until it was put back on properly