router troubles

[Robert Edmonds]

Maybe this should be in the B&G, but I have been having router troubles recently. It seems every few hours I loose my connection to the internet through my router. The only way I can fix it, that I know, is to unplug it and turn it back on. It's getting a bit annoying... I believe it is not the connection because if I plug my computer directly in to the cable modem I don't seem to have any troubles. However, I like to use the wifi, and i have multiple computers so I'd like to keep the router working. Any thoughts would be helpful. I have a wireless-g linksys WRT54G router.

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Maybe this should be in the B&G, but I have been having router troubles recently. It seems every few hours I loose my connection to the internet through my router. The only way I can fix it, that I know, is to unplug it and turn it back on. It's getting a bit annoying... I believe it is not the connection because if I plug my computer directly in to the cable modem I don't seem to have any troubles. However, I like to use the wifi, and i have multiple computers so I'd like to keep the router working. Any thoughts would be helpful. I have a wireless-g linksys WRT54G router.

I'm surprised that you just noticed this issue. Linksys routers are notorious for this kind of behavior. It's a firmware issue generally.

You haven't been having power problems like "brownouts" lately have you? Power fluctuations really do them in...

 

[GPhillips]

Not sure what version of the router you have, but they were notorious for losing connections. I would figure out which version you have (should be on the bottom), and go to the Linksys website and download the latest firmware for that version. Upgrade it using the web administration facility. Make sure you have a wired connection to the router, not wireless, when updating the firmware.

It took care of my problems (WRT54G version 2.2) and a couple other friends who had the same router.

There are also issues with some wireless network cards that lose connections easily and can't get them back. The Linksys G series cards have problems with this, while the G series with Speedboost do not.

Edit...Jerry beat me to the punch.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Maybe this should be in the B&G, but I have been having router troubles recently. It seems every few hours I loose my connection to the internet through my router. The only way I can fix it, that I know, is to unplug it and turn it back on. It's getting a bit annoying... I believe it is not the connection because if I plug my computer directly in to the cable modem I don't seem to have any troubles. However, I like to use the wifi, and i have multiple computers so I'd like to keep the router working. Any thoughts would be helpful. I have a wireless-g linksys WRT54G router.

I think the cheap Linksys routers are just flaky, I've owned a few Linksys routers and have had the exact same problem you are having sometimes losing my connection every 5-10 minutes. I messed with the router configuration extensively and done basically all that you could do including moving the router to a whole other location and still had the same problem.

I have a WRT54G router now that I'm using and have been for about a year and so far, knock on wood, haven't had any problems with it. I bet in the end you'll probably just have to replace that router.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Thanks guys, just upgraded the firmware. We'll see if that fixes it...

 

[Tim Johnson]

Robert, I had the same router, with the same problem! I've upgraded to the latest firmware offered by linksys to no avail. The issue continued. If I remove the router from my network, my DSL modem has no problems maintaining connection. With the router in the loop, I may have to reboot the thing from once to 5 times daily. It was highly annoying!!!

I finally got fed up and went with a third party firmware that someone on the linksys forum recommended. http://www.dd-wrt.com (note that doing so will void any warranty you may have.) So far, this is the only thing that fixed the problem for me. I really like linksys routers, but they seem to have laid an egg with the wrt54g. If you visit their support website, there are threads on top of threads regarding this problem, with THIS router. Hopefully someone over there will finally release a firmware that fixes this once and for all.

 

[David Drummond]

Try changing the wireless channel. Could be another network nearby using the same channel or other interference.

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

My WRT54G lasted just over a year. My router completely quit working last month. I first noticed the wifi was down, but soon realized the connection was not going through when it was wired to the router either. Everything acts like it is still working, but no internet. I changed everything I could think of, including the channels and every other possible setting that would make a difference. I think something in the router has failed, but I really have no clue. My apartment complex loses power during almost every storm that comes through it seems, so maybe the power going out so much did it in.

 

[Tim Johnson]

Wesley, for sure these routers are highly sensitive to power spikes/surges etc. Its not hard to lose one like that. As a last resort you might try resetting it back to factory defaults with the reset button, and try to reconfigure it. If that fails then its likely toast.


David, Robert's description of what's happening sounds exactly like the same problem hundreds of others have mentioned on the linksys support forum. I agree that he should try all the typical fixes mentioned before going to another firmware. Radio Channel should be + or - 5 from the strongest wireless router signal close to you (your neighbor etc).

Check that you have the latest firmware upgrade from linksys.
There are a few other configuration setting suggestions mentioned on the numerous threads regarding the wrt54g losing Internet connectivity. Search here.... http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/board?board.id=Wireless_Routers One of these might work.

I know I tried everything I could find on there, but nothing worked for mine except the third party firmware. I was actually about ready to just purchase a D-link router, but I decided to give the 3rd party firmware a try as a last resort and it worked.

Good luck with whatever you try.

 

[Chad Cowan]

You might be getting some interference from a cordless phone that's running on the same frequency. It'll cut your connection every time it's used. Like David said, try switching your channel.

 

[David Drummond]

David, Robert's description of what's happening sounds exactly like the same problem hundreds of others have mentioned on the linksys support forum. I agree that he should try all the typical fixes mentioned before going to another firmware. Radio Channel should be + or - 5 from the strongest wireless router signal close to you (your neighbor etc).

I only mentioned it because I have TWO of those routers, and was having the same issue and I finally discovered the Autozone across the street has 3 routers and they were all on the same channel. Changed the channels, no more issue.

 

[Tim Johnson]

No worries....I guess I'm still a bit "wound up" about the problem I was having...sorry if my post came across turse.

I'm guessing that auto zone is having some issues as well....lol 3 routers same channel? jeez!

 

[David Drummond]

Yeah, they all have different names with AZ in them and locked down. What I can't figure out is why they have 3 of them. It's one of the smaller stores.

 

[Phil Kurimski]

I had a similar problem a few months ago...my computer just would not connect to the internet thru my wireless router. Strange thing was my wireless router ran fine for a few years until a neighbor installed one next door to me. I spent about a week updating firmware...power cycling the router...plugging my laptop into router itself and configuring several settings. Then one day I changed the channel and everything linked back up and I never had another problem. Very frustrating to go thru all of that for a very simple solution. Live and learn...just like chasing!

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Thank you for the suggestions. So far it has been about a day or so, and haven't had any problems. I also a few days ago I did try to reset it, after I had the previous problem first arise. As long as it keeps working I'll probably not touch it...