What the Tech?! Free tech support Archive
This is a read-only archive. No new posts or registrations. Privacy Page
Software

frequent lag spikes

10 min read

This thread's last reply is from . Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.

Looking for the outcome? Ask AI

Post #1
Greetings earthlings I'm having some trouble with my internet connection. I'm hoping that someone can help me probe around and find the cause. Every 3-5 mins or so the connection stops working for about 2-3 seconds. This causes some complications as many internet related functions don't take kindly to 2-3 seconds of downtime. Here is a picture of me and my connection pinging google.com Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=66ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=227ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=661ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=360ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=83ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=93ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=69ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=69ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=72ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=82ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=68ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=67ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=91ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=66ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=72ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=67ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=738ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=462ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=176ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=453ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=84ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=87ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=95ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=66ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=67ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=68ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=71ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=69ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=67ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=504ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=245ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=660ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=213ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=120ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=86ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=66ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=66ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=92ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=85ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=215ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=645ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=369ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.99: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Best regards -Ásgeir
Post #2
Hi Kex, welcome to WhatTheTech.

The first thing I would try is boot to Safe Mode with Networking then try the ping test again, see if you still get the same delays at 3-4 minute intervals. If not then use msconfig to determine what is causing the problem.

These are good tutorials on using msconfig in XP, Vista or Windows 7:
How to use msconfig in Windows XP
How to use msconfig in Windows Vista
How to use msconfig in Windows 7

Click on Start then Run, type msconfig and press Enter.
Click on the Startup tab, record what is currently starting then click the Disable All button.
Reboot and see if it runs better.
If yes then use msconfig to enable several items at a time till you find the culprit.

If no, start msconfig and click on the Services tab.
Check the Hide All Microsoft Services box, record what is currently starting then click the Disable All button.
Again, do a regular boot, see if it runs normal.
If yes then use msconfig to enable services till you find the culprit.

Once you've found the culprit, uninstall it or find out how to eliminate it from your system. Simply disabling it in msconfig is a temporary fix at best.
Enable everything else you disabled.
Post #3
Greetings Ztruker I did run the computer in safe mode with networking and the problem seems to persist. Here is a fancy picture of me pinging google whilst in safe mode. Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=226ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=664ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=384ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=71ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=141ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=564ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=284ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54 Reply from 209.85.143.104: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54 I ran msconfig. I do this every now and then because i realized some time ago that i can disable all the startup and all the non windows related services and my computer runs just fine. So i have no startup programs and no services that are not windows related. The problem still persists. I am at a loss sire, any ideas? Your help is greatly appreciated. -Ásgeir
Post #4
Try a different DNS, like OpenDNS, see if that makes a difference. If not I think this is an ISP problem and you will have to talk to them to see what is happening.
Post #5
Hail Ztruker I changed the DNS and pinged google once more. I did notice the spikes again. On the other hand i seem to be able to stream and load things normally now! :) So my problems are a thing of the past thanks to you sir. I will be forever grateful! Thank you ever so much! Best regards -Happy Ásgeir
Post #6
I'm glad that helped. I had to move to OpenDNS as well a few months ago as my ISP DNS servers just weren't doing the job.

Ask AI

AI can make mistakes. Check the cited posts. Archived advice can be out-of-date

Don't include personal information. Questions and selected public posts go to OpenAI. About Ask AI