Problems with connection loss

[cihadagca]

Hi everyone,

 

For the past months and especially the last weeksmy internet connection just completely shuts off. I'm going to tell when it happens and hopefully there's someone out there who can help me because it's driving me NUTS. I'm somewhat the "PC fixer" guy in the family but am completely ignorant on almost everything relating to network routers / modems.

 

So, we've got two routers/modems at home:

 

1 - Modem, downstairs, this is the "main hub." This modem/router basically only functions as a wifi spot and to connect to:

2 - Router, upstairs, this router is connected to the modem downstairs. About 2 or 3 devices are simultaneously connected using wifi and 2 pc's with a cable. This router is the most used one in the house and "gets" the most traffic.

 

Now, it seems that whenever someone is downloading something the internet usually just shuts off: doesn't always happen with smaller files but for some reason always happens when downloading ANYTHING from steam, even updates for games. It's been happening when watching Youtube videos also, but ONLY from PC. Doesn't lose internet whenw watching from mobile device / tablets. For  a while, this problem seemed to dissappear and now it's back, I've found that after the connection loses, I unplug the modem (the one the 2 pc's and 3 devices are connected to), wait a minute or two, plug it back in and connection comes back again. Both PCs connected by cable manage to "make" the router disfunction. This is why I think it may be the wiring that's the problem.

 

I'll be active below, if anyone has any idea on how to fix this you'll be a lifesaver.

 

Thanks,

 

Cihad

[stconquest]

I am not a network expert or anything, I usually just get network things to work and leave them be (no further optimization). 

 

 

There is a lot of information you should add to your post, it makes it easier for anyone who really knows how to help best.

 

My questions:  When you lose connection to your router, does it recover on it's own?  How long does it take to recover?  Do you have to manually power cycle the router to get your connection back, if that even works?

 

When you lose connection, have you checked to see if your modem is still functioning properly?

 

 

Try to isolate the problem.  Disconnect your router from the modem, and hook into the modem (laptop or lug your pc there).  I am assuming your router connects to your modem via cable, right?  Try to cause this loss of connection at the modem.  Or just wait until you lose connection, and check to see if the modem downstairs is still working properly.  If the modem is working fine through the disconnects, then you know the problem is at the router.  

 

Could be software, could be the physical router.

 

I wish I could help more, but that is all I can direct you to right now.  Isolate the problem. 

[costin.buga]

Next time you have the problem, try connecting with a laptop on the first router and see if it works. If it does than the problem is with the 2nd router.

Try connecting only 1 pc on the 2nd router and download some heavy stuff. If if gets stuck than the problem is the router. Try a firmware update or ddwrt. If it doesn't get stuck than try adding anothe pc, see when the problem occurs.