Google Wifi Gateway causes a drop in bandwidth

[Sylvain_Cortes]

Hello,

I've come to ask for advice on a problem I'm seeing on my network that I can't diagnose.
I switched to Fiber a few days ago (finally!) with a super fast connection.
Being a Google Wifi user (First generation) I have a setup that looks like this picture:
The important thing is:
- The Wifi network is totally independent of the wired network, to avoid any loops or routing problems.
- Of course, the Google Wifi Gateway is connected via the LAN to the wired network and via the Wan to the Internet BOX.

Everything works fine, but sometimes I have big drops in throughput, going from 500 Mb/s to 20 Mb/s, and this drop in throughput also affects equipment connected via the wired network. I've been able to diagnose that the throughput problem comes from the Google Wifi Gateway, because:
- If I connect directly to the box, the throughput is good, so it's not coming from the box or the Internet connection itself.
- If I electrically reboot the Google Wifi Gateway, the problem is solved.
- If I restart the Wifi network (via the Google Home app), that solves the problem too.

Has anyone had this problem?
What can I do to make the flow stable?
Is there a function that would allow me to diagnose the gateway itself?

Thanks in advance!

Sylvain

[Sylvain_Cortes]

[NateB123]

Having similar problems and it is driving me crazy! Sudden drops, and by the time I go to check the Home app, it is resolved. It's up and down so often that it is effecting my workday (I work from home). My ISP only wants me to get rid of the Wi-Fi and use their router and system for $15 a month extra

[Sylvain_Cortes]

Hi @NateB123 could you check this:

- You have the bandwith performance

- Go to the Google Home App

- Choose "Network test" (or something equivalent)

?

When i do this, 1s after, i get back to a normal bandwith...

It is somethin related to the Google Wifi actiung as a gateway... but i don't know what... 

[kcruzgonzalez]

Hi Sylvain_Cortes,

Thank you for posting in the community. I'm sorry that you're having troubles with your internet connection on your Google routers. I understand how frustrating this can be. I'm here to help.

Before I begin, I need to ask a few questions for further assistance:

• When did the issue start? 
• Have you tried checking the internet speed without the Switch?
• What happens if you only use Wi-Fi and remove the switch from the connection?
• Are the devices connected with ethernet also affected? 
• What color is the Led light when you lose the connection?

Please keep me posted. I'll look forward to your response.

Regards,

Kevin

[Sylvain_Cortes]

Hello, these are some answers  additional infos.

• When did the issue start?  => From the beginning with my new Internet connection - my first ADSL was so bad i didn't noticed it... But now, with the Fiber  I can't see it clearly
• Have you tried checking the internet speed without the Switch? => I don't use any switch between the Google router and the Internet Fiber box, it is directly connected - If you're talking about the switch between my PC and the Google router, yes, because I notice the same drop in speed if I'm on Wifi.
• What happens if you only use Wi-Fi and remove the switch from the connection? => The same behavior (see up)
• Are the devices connected with ethernet also affected?  YES
• What color is the Led light when you lose the connection? - I don't "lose" the connection, it is the bandwith which is falling

Additional information: I did a few more tests. When I have the bandwith drop, I've tried restarting some equipment to see if that brings the bandwith back to normal: nothing helps.
EXCEPT: If I go into the Google Home app and ask for a network test, the bandwith immediately returns to the right level - the problem is quite localized at the Google Router level.

regards, Sylvain

[kcruzgonzalez]

Hi Sylvain_Cortes,

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Let's work together for a solution.

For your concern, please try the below steps:

Perform a 2-minute power cycle.

• Disconnect the modem from its power source.
• Unplug the Ethernet cable and power cord from the parent point.
• Remove the power cord from the child point.
• Leave everything unplugged for 2 minutes.

Change DNS settings on affected devices. 

Sometimes the device has old DNS settings, or the DNS settings don’t come through automatically. This might require setting up the device to use a static IP. If so, be sure to reserve that same IP for the device in the Home app, so it doesn’t try to take the IP address of another device later.

Change DNS for Android devices

• Open the Settings app.
• Select Wi-Fi.
• Long press your current network, then select Modify Network, Modify Network Settings, or a similar phrase.
• Check the Show advanced options box.
• Change the IP settings to static.
• Add the DNS servers 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 to the "DNS 1" and "DNS 2" fields, respectively.

Change DNS for iOS devices

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap Wi-Fi. If it's off, turn it on.
• Pick a Wi-Fi network, then tap on the blue "i" icon.
• Tap Configure DNS.
• Enter the DNS addresses "8.8.8.8" and "8.8.4.4.".
• Tap Wi-Fi to go back.

Let me know how it goes and keep me posted.

Regards,

Kevin

[Sylvain_Cortes]

Hello, thanks for your reply.

I have some questions.

What do you consider as a "Modem" ? Do you mean the Google Wifi acting as the Gateway ?

You mentionned a "Affected Device" , i don't undertand, all the devices on the Network are affected, it is not related to a specific device, It is clearly something at the Google Wifi acting as the Gateway level.

I don't see what DNS has to do with drops in bandwidth performance... if the DNS servers set up on the network devices weren't good, they wouldn't be able to resolve names to IP and any use of the DNS service wouldn't work.

regards, Sylvain

[kcruzgonzalez]

Hi Sylvain_Cortes,

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding in regards to the first question.

By modem, I was talking about the device that your ISP gave you. 

But now that you mention this, I want to ask you if your ISP router is broadcasting WiFi at the same time as your Google router, If the answer is yes, you need to put your ISP router in bridge mode.

I let you know the example of maybe what is causing the issue on your network.

Once you enable the bridge mode on your ISP router, it should stop causing interference on your network. 

Please keep me posted. I'll look forward to your response.

Regards

Kevin

[Sylvain_Cortes]

Hi,

the Bridge mode is already activated on the Google wifi... and NAT is automatically activated on Google Wifi gateway - otherwise it wouldn't work...

regards / sylvain

[Sylvain_Cortes]

What's more, I don't have a problem with the WIFI...

It is no link with the wifi from the ISP box and the bridge mode... i am able to disable the wifi whatever the ISP bow mode is - do you mean i should stop the wifi on the ISP box ?

I can, but the problem comes from the Google Wifi gateway, whether my devices are connected via Wifi or Ethernet, it's all the same!

[kcruzgonzalez]

Hi Sylvain_Cortes,

Thank you for your response.

The reason your network is slowing down could be due to interference from other nearby Wi-Fi devices on different networks, so it's a good idea to turn off the Wi-Fi from your Internet service provider's router or box.

If the problem continues, you might ask your internet service provider to switch the router's IP address to see if it helps your network.

Please keep me posted. I'll look forward to your response.

Regards, 

Kevin