Question:

Greetings, esteemed experts. I trust you’re all in good health. I’ve recently stumbled upon a peculiar issue with my Dell G15 5515 Ryzen Edition laptop, which I hope you can shed some light on.

While engaging in games like Valorant and CS:GO, I’ve observed a substantial increase in ping—approximately 300ms—and a packet loss rate of about 30% whenever the charger is connected to my laptop. Interestingly, the moment the charger is disconnected, the ping reverts to an optimal 40ms.

I’ve ruled out Wi-Fi problems since other devices operate flawlessly on the same network. Efforts to resolve the issue by relocating the adapter and changing my position have been futile. Additionally, the problem doesn’t arise when using a mobile data hotspot, which leads me to believe it’s not related to signal interference.

I’ve attempted several remedies, including:

• Restarting the network adapter and router.
• Reinstalling Wi-Fi drivers.
• Reinstalling the games.
• Moving closer to the Wi-Fi source.
• Performing a clean Windows installation on my PC.

Despite

these efforts, the problem persists, and I’m at a loss for further troubleshooting steps. Your guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.”

Answer:

Dear community member,

Your experience with increased ping and packet loss while your laptop is charging is indeed unusual, but not unheard of. The symptoms you describe suggest a possible issue with the power management of your laptop or electromagnetic interference (EMI) affecting your Wi-Fi signal.

When a laptop is plugged in, it switches from battery mode to AC power mode, which can sometimes lead to changes in hardware performance and behavior. In your case, the charging process appears to be interfering with your network connectivity.

Possible Causes:

1.

Power Supply Interference

: The power supply unit (PSU) may emit electromagnetic interference, particularly if it’s not properly shielded or if it’s faulty.

2.

Energy-Saving Features

: Some laptops have aggressive energy-saving settings that may throttle the performance of the Wi-Fi card when on battery power, which could explain the normal ping in that state.

3.

Ground Loop

: A difference in electrical potential between the laptop and the router could create a ground loop, which can cause EMI.

Suggested Solutions:

–

Inspect the Power Supply

: Check if using a different charger or plugging into a different outlet reduces the interference.

–

Disable Energy-Saving Settings

: Look for any advanced power management settings in your operating system that may affect network performance and adjust them accordingly.

–

Use a Ground Loop Isolator

: This device can be used to prevent ground loops by ensuring that your laptop and router are at the same electrical potential.

–

Consult with a Technician

: If the problem persists, it may be worth having a professional examine your laptop and its power supply for any hardware issues.

Preventive Measures:

–

Regular Maintenance

: Keep your laptop and its components clean and dust-free to prevent any overheating or performance issues.

–

Quality Accessories

: Use high-quality chargers and cables that meet the manufacturer’s specifications.

Conclusion:

The correlation between your laptop charging and network issues is a clear indicator that the charging process is influencing your network adapter’s performance. By systematically ruling out common causes and trying the suggested solutions, you should be able to identify the root of the problem. If all else fails, seeking professional help is the next best step.

Remember, technology can sometimes behave in unexpected ways, but with patience and the right approach, most issues can be resolved.

Best regards,

An IT Expert