Windows 10: How do I check to see if someone is using my bandwidth?

Hi AnEdge. I'll try turning off the iPads and cell phone tonight and see if that makes a difference. They are all set to do updates manually but you never know. I have a VPN app on my cell and one iPad. Could that be causing an issue?

I have the Premium real time protection Malwarebytes, but I ran a scan anyway and it came up clean.

The problem has been occurring about a week. I don't remember downloading/installing anything other then maybe OS updates.

I'll need to research the DNS settings.

bro67 believe it or not the ISP service provider tech did actually come in the house to check the connections and swap out the modem.

The fact that this problem is intermittent and happens only in the late evening makes it difficult to diagnose.

 

you can try also FING app in your mobile to check who is in your network at that moment.

 

Ok. I'll have a look at that app. Thanks.

I ran the app and it shows my wireless modem and cell phone. Oddly enough it doesn't show the iPads. I'll check tonight when the problem occurs.

 

On the configuration webpage for the router there should also be a page that will show connected devices and the IP address on the local network they are assigned. That page should show both wired and WiFi connected devices.

 

Speed test sites are not the most accurate way to test your real speeds. You will always get false information and what may not be poor, can appear poor on those sites.

 

That's good to know about speed tests

I see all the wireless devices listed and one MAC address I don't recognize. Perhaps it's my wireless printer.

 

Alicia, when the problem starts, go into task manager, make sure to show all details and go to the performance tab. You will see an Ethernet connection and a Wi-Fi connection. Click on each. There you can tell if your system is running bandwidth in the background. Make sure all programs are closed and see if the graphs are high. In your case the Ethernet. Let us know. That's to see if your system is pulling the bandwidth. If they are both clean, than its probably an outside source.

 

Under performance I see CPU, Memory, Disk C and Ethernet. I'll check it tonight.

 

Cool, you wont see Wi-Fi, because you don't have a Wi-Fi card, that's fine, see if the Ethernet is working hard without any programs open.

 

Last night I did not lose internet connection in the evening, as I have for the last week. Weird. I'll have to wait until it happens again to report back.

The service provider tech was out today, of course when the internet is working. He had no idea how to troubleshoot this issue since the last tech changed all the connectors and modem when he came out.

 

All techs don't necessarily have the same level of skill. Last spring I had prolonged issues with my cable TV signal. Several techs came and went, rewiring my entire setup and not solving the problem. I was only when I threatened to change providers that I got a Senior Tech to get his head in the game and that we go it fixed. The others simply wrote a service order to the line crews to check the signal. This guy contacted them directly and had them come out and monitor the line for several days. He gave me his cell number and kept me informed of progress. The line crews found several components in the distribution boxes that were corroded and partially failing. Bottom line is keep calling and ask for a senior level tech to come out and talk to you.

 

Next time I have to call I will ask for a senior tech. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Most of the time the blame for these problems will be on your ISP side.

...but just in case do:

In router, allow access to all of your Internet devices and block all others.

Check your model documentation to find instructions on how to do.

Hope it helps

 

Just an update. I haven't been on the PC over the last few days, but will start monitoring it again to see if the problem continues.

 

Just an update. I think I have figured out what is using all my bandwidth in the evening, resulting in a slow or no internet connection.

I added a VPN app to my cell, and in the evening when iCloud backup occurs is when the bandwidth drops drastically. I did not have this issue before I added the VPN app. I think it is the combination of both things running at the same time.