Network Switch Issue

Macfox38 · February 6, 2024

Been having an issue with my Netgear 8-port gigabit switch. Itll power up just fine and i get lights like it recognizes a device being connected, but i dont get an ip or anything from the router and i cant reach my NAS through it. I have tried bypassing and it seems that all my devices work fine. So the switch is the prime suspect in this.

I went ahead an opened it to see if something shorted or clearly broken. I did find a residue or some sign that a liquid has been on the board(Not possible to spill anything on/in it where it lives), and a capacitor seems to be lopsided. Possibly a blown capacitor? I suppose the residue is left over flux from manufacturing just not sure.

Macfox38 · February 6, 2024

Just now, Macfox38 said:

Been having an issue with my Netgear 8-port gigabit switch. Itll power up just fine and i get lights like it recognizes a device being connected, but i dont get an ip or anything from the router and i cant reach my NAS through it. I have tried bypassing and it seems that all my devices work fine. So the switch is the prime suspect in this.

I went ahead an opened it to see if something shorted or clearly broken. I did find a residue or some sign that a liquid has been on the board(Not possible to spill anything on/in it where it lives), and a capacitor seems to be lopsided. Possibly a blown capacitor? I suppose the residue is left over flux from manufacturing just not sure.

PXL_20240206_225819791.jpg PXL_20240206_230108346.jpg

OhioYJ · February 7, 2024

Nothing at a glance looks wrong (not that, that means much). That residue just looks like flux that wasn't cleaned off. That capacitor just isn't flush with the board, so it being tilted, is "normal." I don't see any heat sinks on it, so I'm guessing this isn't one of the "business" models with the lifetime warranties?

The only thing I might try is the switch itself between two machines. Taking the router out of the equation. However it sounds like the switch is the issue. It should be straight forward, just plug the switch in. The good news is the switch is generally the cheapest part here to replace.