Speedtest by Ookla keeps failing

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kronoso1979 Author

Level 1

10 points

Speedtest by Ookla keeps failing

Okay so I have been trying to run speed tests using the Ookla/Xfinity Speedtest.net for weeks and over a month now with no success. First I thought it was my router and actually there was a problem with my router so I bought a new one. I went from a single band Motorola Router to a Netgear Nighthawk router.

However I am still experiencing the same issue. The Comcast tech wanted to blame my iMac but the speed test doesn't fail when I use the Google speed test. Below is the image from the Ookla speed test.

Below is from the Ookla speed test app

Below is the results from the Google speed test for reference.

I talked with an Apple Representative weeks ago and they very kindly sat on the phone with me to help me run through a course of issues. Listing off all the settings in the original router. Even turning off my iMac's firewall, my Microsoft's Onedrive temporarily in case that might've caused it.

When I emailed Ookla support they claimed the website works on all of their Macs and they don't know what I'm doing wrong. That it must just be me and they don't know how to help me. The only other thing I can think of is that in the last round of Catalina security updates is when this issue started happening. I'll mention that obviously I'm connected to the internet when I am running these speed tests. This occurs whether I'm connected by way of ethernet or wifi.

If anyone can offer any advice or anything please throw a line.

iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 8, 2020 11:24 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 9, 2020 11:28 AM in response to kronoso1979

I wouldn't trust Xfinity folks having Mac knowledge, and would reject any attempts by them to install, or otherwise tinker with your iMac. Did they run a test from their head-end back to their device at your location to insure there were no Xfinity network issues?

There may be something outside of Xfinity that is temporarily altering the network path or hops to that remote site. This could clear up on its own (eventually) if that is the case.

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Answer 2

kronoso1979 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 9, 2020 1:12 PM in response to VikingOSX

So I finally solved the issue. The issue seemed to be in my privacy/content settings. I removed all privacy content restrictions. I have my restrictions set high only because I want to make sure nothing can infiltrate my Mac.

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Answer 3

FoxFifth

Level 10

471,957 points

Nov 8, 2020 11:33 AM in response to kronoso1979

I have the latest Catalina security update and no problem with that site -- https://www.speedtest.net/

also no problem with https://speedtest.xfinity.com/

Doesn’t help other than to rule out the Catalina update.

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Answer 4

kronoso1979 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 9, 2020 11:06 AM in response to Cheapteen

Thanks for the reply. It's good to know that I'm not the only person out there who is experiencing this issue. At this point I do feel there is possibly some kind of block, or possibly my Mac just doesn't like that particular website. I'm going to mess around with a couple of settings and if it is the settings I think it might be then I will post back. If it doesn't do anything then it will at least rule it out.

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Answer 5

kronoso1979 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 9, 2020 11:19 AM in response to VikingOSX

That one worked just like a charm. The Speedtest.net app worked also just fine on my iPhone. However it still fails on my iMac. I've searched through the settings. I don't know what could be interfering with that particular website and app honestly. The xfinity techs when they come here are the ones who insist that something must be wrong with my iMac since it can't use that main Speedtest.net website.

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Answer 6

kronoso1979 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 9, 2020 11:50 AM in response to VikingOSX

Yeah no one touches my iMac but me. I have a new router now. The link(s) below is the new router v. the old router I had.

https://www.target.com/p/netgear-nighthawk-ac1900-wifi-docsis-3-0-cable-modem-router--c7000-/-/A-50226308

https://www.target.com/p/motorola-cable-modem-with-built-in-n450-wi-fi-router---black--mg7315-10-/-/A-51276839

They ran multiple tests and I have had three techs out here over the last two years and I have went through three of their routers before I decided that I'd had enough, and decided to finally buy my own. I really can't wait until they get AT&T Uverse. I used to have their service when I lived in Texas. The service was great and much more reliable. At the moment they only have service in Mass. Comcast has a tight stranglehold on New Hampshire and shows no signs of letting up.

Anyhoo thanks for the replies so far. I guess it is what it is with Comcast/Xfinity and I have to put up with it for now.

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Answer 7

kronoso1979 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 8, 2020 11:38 AM in response to FoxFifth

Okay that second link you posted worked just fine. Thanks for linking it. So why in the world can't I get the first link to work?

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Answer 8

FoxFifth

Level 10

471,957 points

Nov 8, 2020 11:43 AM in response to kronoso1979

Sorry -- no idea.

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Answer 9

Nov 8, 2020 2:09 PM in response to kronoso1979

I have the same situation but it occurs intermittently. Not sure exactly why, but if I wait a while and retry it does work I am also running Catalina 10.15.7

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Answer 10

Nov 9, 2020 11:14 AM in response to kronoso1979

Try speedof.me. All HTML5.

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Speedtest by Ookla keeps failing

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