Very high FEC errors, even on test socket?

[#1]

Hi,
I've recently been getting somewhat annoyed with my ADSL connection as it seems to get quite slow these days.
I've had a look in the router (Technicolor) logs and noticed one heck of a lot of FEC errors so I thought I'd have a play. Here's the router stats just after a straight reset:

13/11/2014 19:08
Uptime:	0 days, 0:12:59
DSL Type:	ITU-T G.992.5
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]:	1,136 / 6,385
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]:	3.92 / 29.78
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]:	12.8 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]:	22.2 / 42.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]:	6.7 / 5.9
System Vendor ID (Local/Remote):	TMMB / ----
Chipset Vendor ID (Local/Remote):	BDCM / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote):	0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote):	0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote):	0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote):	-
Error Seconds (Local/Remote):	500 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down):	38 / 666,319
CRC Errors (Up/Down):	2 / 1,586
HEC Errors (Up/Down):	0 / 3,405

So I decided after reading the guide to check it with the test socket and here's the results:

Uptime:	0 days, 0:09:21
DSL Type:	ITU-T G.992.5
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]:	1,172 / 9,727
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]:	3.62 / 24.40
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]:	12.7 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]:	21.6 / 41.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]:	6.7 / 6.4
System Vendor ID (Local/Remote):	TMMB / ----
Chipset Vendor ID (Local/Remote):	BDCM / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote):	0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote):	0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote):	0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote):	-
Error Seconds (Local/Remote):	2 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down):	0 / 589,241
CRC Errors (Up/Down):	0 / 3
HEC Errors (Up/Down):	0 / 87

BT checker:

Download speedachieved during the test was - 4.87 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 4 Mbps-21 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 8.58 Mbps
Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.75Mbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.83 Mbps

and plusnet's connection info:

Telephone number:
    0114*******
Phone exchange:
    SHARROW
Estimated line speed:
    5Mb (This may vary between 4.5Mb and 6.5Mb) - Checked on 2014-10-10 10:50:11
Current line speed:
    5.3 Mb 

Not much seems to have changed except it seems to have synced at nearly 9Mbps rather than the 6 it was before.
Any thoughts on the high error rates and change of sync speed?
It's a bit frustrating.
Many thanks!
Paul.

[#2]

Hi there,
First, you won't get an improvement in Download speed until your Current Line Speeds updates to 8.5 to match the BT IP Profile. This requires a Delta Report to be sent from BT servers to Plusnet. This ought to have happened by now, so worth checking again now.
Second the change in sync speed suggests that you have a problem with Internal wiring. I assume you have some extension sockets (or you use an extension cable of some sort).
Whilst you are connected to the test socket, on the assumption that you have extension sockets, can you look at the wires connected to the back of the removable face-plate and tell me the colour of the wires and the terminal numbers they are connected to.
Tell us a bit about your extension sockets or wires and exactly how you normally connect, what else is connected.
Do all your Microfilters look like this?
Is everything that's plugged in connected via a similar filter?
Edit: Your title says HEC errors when the stats are showing FEC errors, you can edit it by editing your first post.

[#3]

Thanks for that I hadn't spotted I'd posted the wrong error type.
My next job was to disconnect wires 3 and 4 from the extensions. But since I was still getting so many errors through the test socket I thought I'd sort that. They're all those standard microfilters.
I'll try the tests tomorrow evening or Saturday when I'm able again. Fingers crossed the speed has picked up. In my last flat disconnecting the extensions completely made no difference however in a previous house my speed more than doubled after completely disconnecting them so I know what affect they can have 🙂

[#4]

Just has a quick check and it's still only synced at 5.3Mbps.

[#5]

Synced? You probably mean Current Line Speed  Several of us have noticed that the Delta reports have been rather tardy. If it's not gone up by the morning, post again, and one of the CRT can kick it for you.
Yes disconnect 3&4 throughout. But what colour are the wires on 2 & 5? Don't worry too much about the FECs, its CRC/ES errors that are more important, as well as the level of HECs - but they looked reasonable.

[#6]

Thanks again Will check the colours when I get home. I seem to remember one is blue, the other white and another colour. While this make any difference assuming the same colours have been used for 2 and 5 throughout?
Yep, the Current Line Speed is now 8.5Mbps That's more like it!

[#7]

As long as the colours throughout are the same and are Blue+feint white trace and White+blue trace, that should be fine.

[#8]

I believe so. I shall check tonight or tomorrow Thanks for the help!
dick:quote

[#9]

The wires were good and I've disconnected them. I also remembered I had an ADSL filter faceplate so I've fitted that, all good and still running at full speed

[#10]

Great, glad it's sorted.

[#11]

I've just checked your line, and although you are getting decent (sync) speeds, you are banded.
It shouldn't a problem, but might be worth baring in mind if you have issues in the future.
tony

[#12]

What does being banded mean Tony?
dick:quote

[#13]

Your speeds are restricted to between two figures. This would usually happen when you have a lot of drops in connection. Until the line is proved stable, it won't be removed ultimately giving you a top speed that you currently achieve. I said there is no need to worry, because this is roughly the speed that you should get anyway.
Tony

[#14]

OK, thanks for the info Tony

[#15]

@probedb
Have you seen http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,133845.msg1172609.html#msg1172609 this is a little too much of a coincidence.
Do you have a nearby street light that has been on 24/7 for a while?