Virgin Media - Router 'loses DHCP' / WAN problems

[Davidofff]

I have a buffalo WHR-G54S router and cable modem on Virgin Media.

After power cycling the modem, router, PC, I'll be able to access the internet. The router shows the correct IP, DNS etc.

Anywhere between 1 and 60 minutes will pass, and suddenly no computer will be able to access the internet. The LAN is fine. If I visit the router control panel, it appears to be connected to the WAN fine, and the IP & DNS still display.

If I release the DHCP and renew, it'll fail to get an IP address and claim that the 'DHCP or PPPoE server cannot be detected'. Rebooting rarely (but not never) fixes this, and a power cycle seems to fix the problem.

I connected a PC directly to the modem and it worked for several hours, so I'm convinced its the router, BUT, the router worked fine for a month or so, until just recently when I've had these problems.

When the problems started, the default gateway IP took me directly to the modem, and the router appeared to be working in bridge mode. I had to initialise the router to get any sense from it, so I wonder if the router has somehow been damaged.

Have troubleshooted as much as possible - trying to get my hands on another cable router now to see if I can prove its the router's fault.

Anyone have any ideas?

[MovedGoalPosts]

to Cable Forum

It would seem that the router settings are suspect if you don't see the problem connecting direct between PC and modem.

What applications have you got running on your PCs? It may be that somehow you are overloading the router. For example P2P type software creates a lot of connections that might overwhelm the router's memory.

[Davidofff]

Just web browsing and occasionally games (World of Warcraft).

For the purpose of trying to get everything working properly, I've just been web browsing. It can 'die' as quickly as 5minutes after booting.

I'd like to reiterate that everything worked fine for a month or so.