Are you tired of your online gaming getting laggy, your video calls cutting out, and your downloads crawling to a halt? Well, my friend, the culprit might just be something called “bufferbloat.” Don’t worry, I’m about to give you the scoop on this pesky internet issue and show you how to fix it once and for all.
What is Bufferbloat Anyway?
Bufferbloat is a network performance issue that can cause major slowdowns in your internet speed, especially during heavy usage. Essentially, it’s when your router or modem’s buffer gets overloaded, leading to excessive latency and delays. [1] Imagine you’re trying to have a conversation with someone, but every few seconds there’s a 5-second delay before they can respond. That’s bufferbloat in a nutshell.
The problem arises when your router or modem tries to be “helpful” by storing a ton of data in its buffer to prevent any hiccups in your internet connection. While this may seem like a good idea in theory, it can quickly backfire. [2] As more and more data piles up in the buffer, it creates a bottleneck, causing your ping times to skyrocket and your overall internet performance to suffer.
Diagnosing Bufferbloat
So, how do you know if bufferbloat is the culprit behind your sluggish internet? Well, the first step is to run a quick test. Head on over to a site like DSLReports.com or GoogleWiFi Community and use their bufferbloat testing tools. [3][4] These tools will measure the latency of your internet connection and give you a good idea of whether bufferbloat is to blame.
If your test results show a high “Bufferbloat score” (usually anything above 50ms is considered problematic), then you’ve got some work to do. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to tackle this issue and get your internet back to tip-top shape.
Fixing Bufferbloat
One of the most effective solutions to bufferbloat is to enable Quality of Service (QoS) on your router. QoS is a feature that allows you to prioritize certain types of internet traffic, like video calls or online gaming, over things like large file downloads. [5] This helps ensure that your critical applications don’t get bogged down by data-heavy tasks.
However, not all routers come equipped with QoS, and even if they do, the settings can be a bit tricky to configure. In that case, you might want to consider upgrading to a router with more advanced bufferbloat-busting features, like SQM (Smart Queue Management) or fq_codel. [6][7]
Another option is to use a third-party firmware like OpenWRT or DD-WRT, which offer more robust QoS and traffic management tools. [8] This can be a bit more technical, but it’s a great solution if you’re feeling adventurous.
Taming the Bufferbloat Beast
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But I’m not a tech-savvy person, I just want my internet to work!” Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Even if you’re not a networking guru, there are still plenty of ways to tackle bufferbloat and get your internet humming along smoothly.
Start by checking with your internet service provider (ISP) to see if they have any recommendations or solutions for dealing with bufferbloat. Many ISPs are aware of the issue and may be able to offer guidance or even remote configuration assistance.
And remember, a little bit of trial and error goes a long way. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different QoS settings or try out a new router. With a bit of patience and persistence, you’ll have that pesky bufferbloat problem solved in no time.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get to work and put an end to those frustrating internet slowdowns once and for all!
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetworking/comments/bws8xz/how_do_you_get_rid_of_bufferbloat/
[2] https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/Google-Wifi-Bufferbloat-Problem/m-p/218065
[3] https://apenwarr.ca/log/20180808
[4] https://gettys.wordpress.com/bufferbloat-faq/
[5] https://community.synology.com/enu/forum/2/post/123101
[6] https://gettys.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/whose-house-is-of-glasse-must-not-throw-stones-at-another/
[7] https://superuser.com/questions/1324956/is-bufferbloat-triggered-on-a-certain-speed
[8] https://forum.openwrt.org/t/sqm-fast-and-slow-device/1236
