Big issue with my fiber optics internet for Qobuz streaming

I did a Google search for:

"Streaming dropouts on the AT&T BGW320" I have no idea if any of this is pertinent or accurate but I found it interesting and educational.

Streaming dropouts on the AT&T BGW320 are often caused by a few specific hardware and software triggers. While the BGW320 is generally robust, users and technicians frequently report the following culprits:

1. ActiveArmor Security Interference

AT&T’s built-in security suite, ActiveArmor, is known to cause intermittent latency and drops in streaming performance. 

Reddit

• The Issue: It scans incoming traffic in real-time, which can mistakenly flag streaming data packets or cause CPU spikes on the gateway.
• Fix: Disable ActiveArmor through the AT&T Smart Home Manager app to see if stability improves.

2. Firmware Version Glitches

Certain firmware updates (notably versions like 4.27.7 or 3.20.5) have been linked to random "link down" events where the gateway momentarily loses connection. 

Reddit +1

• The Issue: Software bugs can cause the gateway to restart or drop the signal without a clear hardware cause.
• Fix: Check your current firmware version in the gateway settings (192.168.1.254). If it’s an older or known buggy version, contact AT&T Support to request a remote update or a replacement unit. 

  Reddit +1

3. SFP Module or Fiber Connector Issues

The BGW320 uses an SFP/ONT module (the small stick the fiber plugs into) that can overheat or be improperly seated. 

Reddit +1

• The Issue: If the fiber cable has a "micro-bend" or the connectors are dirty, the "light levels" entering the gateway fluctuate, causing the stream to buffer or drop entirely.
• Fix: Ensure the fiber cable isn't tightly bent. If dropouts persist, ask an AT&T technician to check the "Radius Test" or "QC Test" to see if there are "ONT alarms" indicating a physical line problem. 

  Reddit +2

4. IP Passthrough Stability (If using a second router)

If you have a personal router connected to the BGW320, the Blue 5Gbps port is sometimes cited as less stable than the standard yellow ports for certain hardware. 

Reddit +1

• The Issue: Auto-negotiation issues between the BGW320’s multi-gig port and 1Gbps routers can lead to 5-10 second drops.
• Fix: Try moving your personal router's connection to one of the yellow LAN ports. Additionally, increasing the IP Lease Timer from the default 10 minutes to something longer (like 24 hours) can prevent frequent re-authentication drops. 

  Reddit +2

5. Wi-Fi Band Steering Conflicts

By default, the BGW320 uses one name for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (Band Steering). 

• The Issue: Streaming devices (like Rokus or Smart TVs) may constantly "bounce" between these two bands, causing a momentary loss of connection.
• Fix: Use the AT&T Smart Home Manager to separate the bands with different names, then force your streaming device to stay on the 5GHz band for higher stability. 

  Reddit +1

@rikkipuu  Thank you for the educational information.  

4. IP Passthrough Stability (If using a second router)

If you have a personal router connected to the BGW320, the Blue 5Gbps port is sometimes cited as less stable than the standard yellow ports for certain hardware. 

Since my router has 1Gbps WAN port, it won’t have any benefit connecting it to 5Gbps LAN port.  I thought about that though.

5. Wi-Fi Band Steering Conflicts

By default, the BGW320 uses one name for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (Band Steering). 

I did ask that question to AT&T technician too.  After switching wi-fi over to the new router, I assigned different ssid to each band.  Thx for the confirmation.

1. ActiveArmor Security Interference

AT&T’s built-in security suite, ActiveArmor, is known to cause intermittent latency and drops in streaming performance. 

Just find out the ActiveArmor is included in my plan but NOT activated, which means it is not the culprit.

@tomrk It's not a DNS issue. If you had a DNS issue, your PC would be struggling to even get to this site to post.

If you're having dropouts there's a good chance its the local network (which is my hunch).  

Try this on your PC (or Mac) in a browser. Open your browser, type in play.qobuz.com. Log in, and just start listening to music on your PC (or laptop whatever you have). If there is no dropouts, it's not your ISP. 

I don't think DNS is the issue either.  Thanks for the confirmation.  I don't think it is the bandwidth issue either.  Anyway, after shifting all routing task over the router, the issue seems taken care of.  No issue playing Qobuz on Mac either now.

@lanx0003

What people are forgetting is that even 24-192 flacs are relatively small compared to a 1GB bandwidth (assuming you're not downloading the Beethoven's complete 9th symphony, but even there that would probably be roughly a 10 second download

That's why I suggested trying it from your Mac.  If it works there, it means Qobuz and the external network are fine, especially since you're using WiFi which is a bit slower than a direct Ethernet connection.  Even there when NAD screwed up the Ethernet code on my M33, I was able to switch to WiFi with no lags or dropouts.
 

The good part was NAD was more than willing to work with me, and at the end, they reduced the indexing time for my digitized library from overnight to less than an hour.

@rbstehno MTU default is 1500 and should be left alone. I used to set jumbo frames on our enterprise network which is setting MTU to 9000, and this can improve performance. 

Use AT&T’s modem then buy your own mesh network from there ...

1 more tip, I use a commercial switch in my audio room and it improved the sound quality because this switch  doesn’t use a wall wart

Did not change MTU either.  Thanks for the confirmation.  Currently the router is running fine and we have empty nest new (kids are all grown up / away), it seems no need for mesh.

I am curious though what switch you use / recommend that does not use a wall wart?  Thx.