Home Internet Connections Are Unfair! (Bufferbloat)
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Promos
Check out what you can fix with iFixit at ifixit.com Even if you have a fast internet connection, a little-known phenomenon called bufferbloat often results in games lagging and video calls dropping. So what exactly is bufferbloat, and how do you fix it? Waveform bufferbloat test: waveform.com Leave a reply with your requests for future episodes. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv
Bufferbloat is introduced as a little known but common culprit behind laggy video calls, stuttering game play, and sluggish web pages even on fast home internet connections. The video uses a grocery store line analogy to describe how real-time applications require small, timely bursts of data, and how queue buildup at various points in the network can delay these bursts for everyone behind the bottleneck. It explains how to measure bufferbloat with simple tools, recommends testing on a wired connection, and notes that a grade below A indicates a significant issue. The host then outlines practical fixes, starting with enabling smart queue management (SQM) or active queue management (AQM) options in routers, such as cake in OpenWrt or fq_codel in pfSense or opnsense. When stock routers lack these features, the video suggests flashing open source firmware or upgrading to a router that supports SQM, and stresses that not all networking equipment handles high-speed consumer connections efficiently. The conclusion emphasizes that while faster internet may seem like a fix, proper queue management is often the key to reducing latency, with a reminder that misconfiguring QoS can sometimes degrade overall performance. The presenter also plugs repair resources and encourages viewers to explore device repair guides for long-term reliability.
Topics · technology · internet · networking · troubleshooting
Questions answered
- What is bufferbloat and why does it happen in home networks?
- Bufferbloat is excess buffering in network devices that causes large delays for real-time traffic like gaming and video calls. It happens when queues build up along the path from your router to the internet, delaying packets for others who share the connection.
- How can you reduce bufferbloat on a typical home network?
- Enable smart queue management or active queue management in the router, such as cake or fq_codel. If the stock firmware lacks these options, consider flashing open source firmware like OpenWrt or switching to a router that supports SQM, then test latency and adjust as needed.
- Why should you be cautious about enabling QoS or buffer management features?
- Some QoS settings can unintentionally reduce overall speed by prioritizing certain traffic at the expense of others, so enable these features only if you are experiencing latency and test to ensure a net gain.