Exceeded my data limit for last four months, how to stop that. Data leak somewhere?

pseymour · Aug 18, 2026

PhilB said:
As the OP, I just had the disconcerting experience of trying to log in to my ASUS Mesh Router, and merde alors!, I forgot the dang password. So I have to do a reset. If I change the password, then I have to update 1 desktop, 3 (or more) laptops. 2 iPhones, 2 iPads. the home security camera, and probably other stuff And of course, any decent password has to be long and a random mixture of characters.

Yes, I'm hosed, whatever I do.

You can export the WiFi connection information from any of your Windows computers. Open a command prompt, and enter:

Code:

 netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder="%USERPROFILE%\Desktop"

That will save each WiFi connection's information to a separate XML file on your desktop.

Code:

Interface profile "Banana" is saved in file "C:\Users\LadyGodiva\Desktop\Wi-Fi-Banana.xml" successfully.

Interface profile "Mango" is saved in file "C:\Users\LadyGodiva\Desktop\Wi-Fi-Mango.xml" successfully.

Each file will have the WiFi password in it. After you reset your router, you can set the WiFi password back to this value, and your other devices will keep connecting just fine.

XML:

            <sharedKey>
                <keyType>passPhrase</keyType>
                <protected>false</protected>
                <keyMaterial>mine's redacted</keyMaterial>
            </sharedKey>

PhilB said:
Using Nir Sofer's program over a 24 hour period, I didn't see anything odd. But I want to put this problem to bed, and if it means ensuring the pain of updating all these devices, I don't have a choice, do I?

If you're using an ASUS router, you can turn on Traffic Analyzer to see which clients are using the most bandwidth.

andrew129260 · Aug 18, 2026

In the comcast app you should be able to see a history of when the data spike occurred, and if you own their router -what device it was.
But regardless, a data cap on home internet like that is BS.

If there is another provider in your area I would go for that.

Comcast sucks. But I am guessing they have the monopoly in your area.

Have you switched to any new streaming services or upped a subscription to the next tier? Streaming "4k" content can definitely raise the usage.

I game, so I easily exceed a terabyte a month. If you have anyone in the house that games that is also a possibility.

But yes, you can look for and uninstall any free games or apps on your tv and see if the behavior stops.

gunrunnerjohn · Aug 18, 2026

I truthfully have no idea what amount of data we use. There are two or three TV's pretty regularly running and most of the time they're streaming either Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Paramount+. Oh, and my granddaughter likes YouTube, so that's probably on quite a bit as well. Lots of times I'll come in and find several TV's streaming to an empty room.

I tried to find my Verizon FiOS data usage, but they sure hide it well! They kept telling me that FiOS has unlimited data with no speed caps. I already know that, I just want to see what I use a month, apparently that's more difficult than I imagined! They would be happy to show me my mobile phone usage except that I use T-Mobile!

HeavyHemi · Aug 18, 2026

gunrunnerjohn said:
I truthfully have no idea what amount of data we use. There are two or three TV's pretty regularly running and most of the time they're streaming either Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Paramount+. Oh, and my granddaughter likes YouTube, so that's probably on quite a bit as well. Lots of times I'll come in and find several TV's streaming to an empty room.

I tried to find my Verizon FiOS data usage, but they sure hide it well! They kept telling me that FiOS has unlimited data with no speed caps. I already know that, I just want to see what I use a month, apparently that's more difficult than I imagined! They would be happy to show me my mobile phone usage except that I use T-Mobile!

It's not just data use but those TV's use electricity. That's just $$ wasted. When I finally got rid of the last of my shiftless relatives, my power bill dropped by over $100 a month and that was at $0.05 per Kw/hr.

KevTech · Aug 18, 2026

andrew129260 said:
But regardless, a data cap on home internet like that is BS.

They are on an old legacy tier as all the interent plans on Comcast now have unlimited data.

This started about a year ago.

https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/data

gunrunnerjohn · Aug 18, 2026

HeavyHemi said:
It's not just data use but those TV's use electricity. That's just $$ wasted. When I finally got rid of the last of my shiftless relatives, my power bill dropped by over $100 a month and that was at $0.05 per Kw/hr.

Well, I obviously know that!

I turn them off it they're not being used, but I can't be everywhere all the time.

MisterEd · Aug 18, 2026

You can check your monthly data usage by using the Xfinity app on your phone.

I used to use less than 200GB per month. However, since I am retired I watch a lot of Youtube videos and stream movies. My usage is much higher now.

I have had Xfinity Internet since 2001. I have the Xfinity Gigabit Extra plan (1200Mbps/300Mbps). I have an Xfinity XB8 gateway.

I just read this...

All new Xfinity home internet plans (300 Mbps and above) automatically include unlimited data and equipment with no extra data caps. If you have an older legacy plan with a 1.2 TB monthly cap, you can upgrade your service or add xFi Complete to get unlimited data.

I used to have a 1.2 TB monthly data cap. Several years ago I enrolled in xFi Complete. Not only did it remove the data cap but my Xfinity gateway rental cost was removed.

KevTech · Aug 18, 2026

MisterEd said:
Several years ago I enrolled in xFi Complete. Not only did it remove the data cap but my Xfinity gateway rental cost was removed.

If you are still paying for xFi Complete on a legacy plan you are losing money as all the new plans have unlimited data and gateway included without paying the extra 25 dollars a month.

https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/data

gunrunnerjohn · Aug 19, 2026

MisterEd said:
You can check your monthly data usage by using the Xfinity app on your phone.

I don't have the Verizon app on my phone, and I have no desire to add it. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry wants you to install an app on your phone, and I'm not interested! I do my computer stuff with a real keyboard, mouse, and two large monitors.

PenPusher · Sep 1, 2026

Do you have "One Drive" enabled on your devices?

HeavyHemi · Sep 1, 2026

gunrunnerjohn said:
Well, I obviously know that! I turn them off it they're not being used, but I can't be everywhere all the time.

Most TV's have an activity timer you can set so they will shut off after a certain period of time if there is no user interaction.

gunrunnerjohn said:
I don't have the Verizon app on my phone, and I have no desire to add it. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry wants you to install an app on your phone, and I'm not interested! I do my computer stuff with a real keyboard, mouse, and two large monitors.

I am pretty sure Comcast has a dashboard you can access on your PC to check your data usage.

PhilB · Sep 1, 2026

HeavyHemi said:
Most TV's have an activity timer you can set so they will shut off after a certain period of time if there is no user interaction.

I am pretty sure Comcast has a dashboard you can access on your PC to check your data usage.

Of course, But that is just gross MB downloaded, no indication of sources

pseymour · Sep 1, 2026

@PhilB Did you look at your router's traffic analyzer? That will tell you which device is causing the most traffic and give you a general idea of what each device is talking to. I only turned it on for a few seconds to get the graph, so my graph isn't very helpful, but it's an example.

PhilB · Sep 1, 2026

pseymour said:
@PhilB Did you look at your router's traffic analyzer? That will tell you which device is causing the most traffic and give you a general idea of what each device is talking to. I only turned it on for a few seconds to get the graph, so my graph isn't very helpful, but it's an example.

I think I mentioned in a previous posting that I forgot the password for my router login.

Right now I have technical debt for Windows and my phones/tablet that will probably keep me busy for months.

gunrunnerjohn · Sep 1, 2026

PhilB said:
I think I mentioned in a previous posting that I forgot the password for my router login. Right now I have technical debt for Windows and my phones/tablet that will probably keep me busy for months.

Unless you've done some major configuration changes to your router, resetting to factory defaults and reconfiguring isn't usually much of a chore.

PhilB · Sep 1, 2026

gunrunnerjohn said:
Unless you've done some major configuration changes to your router, resetting to factory defaults and reconfiguring isn't usually much of a chore.

No but if you saw my technical debt list ...

glasskuter · Sep 1, 2026

It's easy to see if something on one of your own computers is hogging your data usage. Do this on each one and compare the readings.
Settings>
Network & internet>
Select Advanced network settings, then click on Data usage.
View your total data used over the last 30 days and check which apps use the most data.

Banjoman301 · Sep 1, 2026

Many modern-day routers have the functionality to show data usage for each device.

pseymour · Sep 1, 2026

PhilB said:
I think I mentioned in a previous posting that I forgot the password for my router login. Right now I have technical debt for Windows and my phones/tablet that will probably keep me busy for months.

Alright well I mentioned how to get the current WiFi password, so you can set the password to the same thing when you reset it, and your devices will reconnect.

Scannerman · Sep 1, 2026

Data caps are the worst. Always a bad deal for the consumer and pretty much no longer in vogue. If you can get fibre get it. Faster and more reliable. Plus with fiber optic you can lose the router if you want and run switches instead. Of course, some folks really love their WiFi but I'm just pointing to options. At the very least go unlimited.

Exceeded my data limit for last four months, how to stop that. Data leak somewhere?

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