Periodic high latency with Nest WiFi - even over Ethernet

[ttul]

I'm a network engineer. The Google Nest WiFi system occasionally loses its mind and generates massive latency, even over direct Ethernet connections to the device. As shown in the PingPlotter view below, the average latency over Ethernet to the device is over 800ms. A reboot restores latency to a healthy level. This problem is a significant annoyance and Google has not apparently made any effort to resolve it despite many complaints here on the forum (e.g. https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/Large-latency-ping-spikes-with-Nest-Wifi-Pro/td-p/2...). Can someone please ring the bell over in the product team and get someone to look at this terrible latency problem?

[MplsCustomer · Accepted solution]

Interesting! Maybe that's why so many of the posts from customers about cameras and other devices going offline seem to be from customers with Google Nest WiFi systems.

[ttul]

It's possible. I'm skilled in this area and can diagnose where the latency is coming from, but a typical Google Nest consumer has no idea. Since a reboot of the device always fixes the problem, it is most definitely a bug. I suspect that there is a runaway process on the device that is causing OS

[LovelyM]

Hello everyone,

@MplsCustomer, thanks for trying to help. 

@ttul, @diogenes0803, sorry if we were unable to get back to you sooner. I wanted to see if both of you are still in need of any help. Please check out this article: Fix your Google Nest Wifi or Google Wifi network.

Let me know how it goes. 

Best,
Lovely

[ttul]

I’ve factory reset the device. Note that my high latency happens over WiFi and LAN ports. Google needs to get some engineers on this. I have purchased Linksys gear. Goodbye forever, Google WiFi.

[MplsCustomer]

@ttul 

We have long had two Linksys routers that we use as wired access points in addition to our Comcast/Xfinity router/modem, and we do NOT have issues accessing our Google Nest cameras and doorbells, or other devices.

[ttul]

That’s great to hear. To be clear, I’m not experiencing issues specifically communicating with other devices. The Google WiFi node, when acting as a router, is becoming congested and introducing high packet loss and latency for unknown reasons.

I suspect that it’s being caused by an operating system buffer exhaustion issue.

[diogenes0803]

I'm having similar issue, so far I tested that direct connect from my ISP provided modem to laptop does not have any issue. It only happens when the device connected through nest pro wifi. I even disconnected and left ISP modem -> Nest Pro -> Computer with Ethernet cable connection. (Tested this with multiple other laptop) and there is issue Ping Spike issue.

I have 3 nest pro. I tried factory resetting. And all 3 nest pro have the same symptom, I've been testing this via switching around each nest pro to become main router. All 3 had same symptom.

[JayOliphant]

I am another person who is also having this exact same issue. Like the op I also have a background and higher education in networking. I agree his is 100% a software bug, and goigle needs to get some engineers on this. Complaints about this issue go back to when this system first was released. I had a nest wifi for over 3yrs until I upgraded to this system a month or so ago. Never had these issues on that system. We are a major gaming household on PC and Xboxes. Once the lag spikes start it happens cyclically on all running devices connected both wireless and wired to a node, until a network restart is performed. Then all is good until it happens again. Generally it is once a day, sometimes once every 2 days.