Is my wifi router dying?

danielf · 20-01-2007, 13:12

As above. For the second time in two weeks I lost the wireless connection on 3 machines, so something is up with the router (Linksys WRT54G, ~2.5 years old). Last time, when I got it working again, connection strengh tended to vary, and connection speed varied between 1 and 54Mbps. I changed channel and that gave me a solid connection at 54Mbps again. Last night it failed again. I've changed channels, rebooted the router, reset the router and disabled security. Right now, it seems to be working but speeds vary between 24 and 54 Mbps (in mixed wireless mode, no security).

Is this a sign of a dying/flaky router (the wired part works fine), or could this be due to interference on the wireless network, or even some problem with the security protocols? Could a firmware upgrade help? (I don't think it's ever been upgraded)

I'm tempted to go out to buy a new router, but that obviously would be of little help if this is interference. I'm also tempted to get some homeplug kit, which should solve a potential interference problem, but I'd still like to know what the possible cause is.

TIA (reps all around

)

Cobbydaler · 20-01-2007, 13:18

If you've never upgraded the firmware & it's over 2 years old, I'd try that first...

Nothing to lose really

danielf · 20-01-2007, 13:40

Yes, good point. I upgraded the Firmware to 4.20.8. Speed seems a solid 54 Mbps, but it had been for the last 15 mins before upgrading

. Sit back and wait, I suppose...

DocDutch · 20-01-2007, 14:27

also check for updates on the Wlan cards... especially if any of the puters are lappies with built in cards. that can sometimes help as well

other then that .. reset the router totally back to its beginning and update the firmware on it. my advice with a FW upgrade is to connect the pc hardwired and then do another reset. that should load the new fw without problems.

danielf · 20-01-2007, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocDutch

also check for updates on the Wlan cards... especially if any of the puters are lappies with built in cards. that can sometimes help as well

I have previously done that on one of the lappies which kept losing the connection. But last night the connection died on three machines simultaneously, so that would point towards the router.

Quote:

other then that .. reset the router totally back to its beginning and update the firmware on it. my advice with a FW upgrade is to connect the pc hardwired and then do another reset. that should load the new fw without problems.

Done that, and reapplied the security now. It seems to work now. I'll wait and see how it holds up over the coming week(s). If it dies again I will be getting some new kit.

Druchii · 20-01-2007, 15:30

My old BElkin router has done the same thing numerous times, and regained my faith by suddenly righting itself. My WRT running on custom firmware is usually rock solid though.

I'm guessing you have a V3 or 4? These models tend to last really well as they are really well built. Might be worth telling it to reset itself every 3 days or so though (I have to do this every 24hours with my V5.1) if it's possible on the Linksys firmware.

Also, is it near any form of high power electrical equipment that happened to kick in last night around the same time as (or even a few minutes before) the wireless died?

danielf · 20-01-2007, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Druchii

My old BElkin router has done the same thing numerous times, and regained my faith by suddenly righting itself. My WRT running on custom firmware is usually rock solid though.

I'm guessing you have a V3 or 4? These models tend to last really well as they are really well built. Might be worth telling it to reset itself every 3 days or so though (I have to do this every 24hours with my V5.1) if it's possible on the Linksys firmware.

It's V2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by druchii

Also, is it near any form of high power electrical equipment that happened to kick in last night around the same time as (or even a few minutes before) the wireless died?

It's near the telly, STB, stereo, and a Dect phone base unit, but I don't think this has caused any problems in the past. None of the items (except the phone) were in use last night. I know Dect phones can cause problems, but I can't say I noticed that having been a problem. Generally, when the wifi works, it works, even when using the phone.

Oh, and we don't have a dog (or any other pets), wet or dry

Gareth · 20-01-2007, 16:03

Not sure what the Linksys proprietary firmware is like, as I flashed my WRT54GL to use the dd-wrt firmware as soon as I got it. This is running Linux so has logs that you can access in vi through telnet to see what's happening.

I'd recommend using the dd-wrt firmware anyway - it's compatible with your router and it rocks

danielf · 20-01-2007, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

Not sure what the Linksys proprietary firmware is like, as I flashed my WRT54GL to use the dd-wrt firmware as soon as I got it. This is running Linux so has logs that you can access in vi through telnet to see what's happening.

I'd recommend using the dd-wrt firmware anyway - it's compatible with your router and it rocks

VI????? I run EMACS on XP. One quality editor. Very handy as a GUI to 'inferior' lisps...

Nikesh · 20-01-2007, 16:30

Email Linksys about your problem. I got a three year guarantee with my Linksys WRT54G and after about four years it died so I emailed them about and they replaced it for free! Great service.

DocDutch · 20-01-2007, 16:45

Erm Daniel remove the router as far away possible from the Dect...they are both transmitting on the 2.4ghz band. and mostly a dect has stronger signal for some reason.

so my advice is put it say 2 to 3 meters away from it and you should be sorted.

danielf · 20-01-2007, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocDutch

Erm Daniel remove the router as far away possible from the Dect...they are both transmitting on the 2.4ghz band. and mostly a dect has stronger signal for some reason.

so my advice is put it say 2 to 3 meters away from it and you should be sorted.

Ok, done that now...

The Dect unit has been sitting close to the router for over two years, and it's never caused a problem though.

DocDutch · 20-01-2007, 18:44

my experience at work is that DECT and WLAN products are killing each in some form. also babyphone and things like that that transmit on 2.4ghz cause interference.