Router randomly disconnects then reconnects

[L. Kenter]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm having trouble with my internet connection and router, and I'm starting to get desperate. 

 

My router randomly disconnects and then reconnects, both wired and wireless. 

I have a router modem downstairs from the ISP, and my own Asus router upstairs functioning as a switch for multiple wired devices and as a wireless network, since the WiFi the router modem provides has a very poor range.

I used to have an incredibly crappy ISP, and since I switched to another the speed and bandwidth have improved dramatically, but the stability not so much. 

It does seem to be my router's fault though, not the ISP or the router modem, since I have no random disconnects when I directly plug my PC into the router modem.

When the disconnects happen, all the activity lights and the WiFi light turn off, but the power and WAN lights remain on. 

After a couple of seconds (maybe 10-20 seconds) everything turns back on.

 

The router I use is an Asus RT-N16 with up-to-date firmware.

 

I don't know much about networking, but I tried a couple of things in an attempt to fix it:

- Using a simple network switch instead of the router

- Factory resetting the router

- Messing around with DHCP settings

- Messing around with Automatic IP/Static IP settings

- Enabling/Disabling DNS

- Enabling/Disabling DDNS

- Disabling Guests Network

- Switching the router to Access Point mode

- Switching the router to Repeater mode

- Combinations of the above

- Checked the temperature of the router to see if it was overheating, but it was warm to the touch. Nowhere near hot.

 

Nothing worked unfortunately, but I did notice a slight change in the pattern or the duration of the disconnects every time I changed something.

 

Just in case, here is a list of devices connected to the router:

- Desktop PC running Win 10 (wired)

- WD TV Live media player (wired)

- Xbox One first gen (wired)

- Laptop running Win 10 (wifi)

- iPad Air 1 (wifi)

- iPhone 5 (wifi)

- Wii first gen (wifi)

- Chromecast (wifi)

- Occasional friend's laptop/phone/tablet (wifi)

 

I'm starting to think my router might just be dying, but since the simple switch was showing the same issues, it might also be some setting or IP conflict or something like that.

Really hoping someone can help me out.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

P.S. I hope I provided enough information, but if not, please don't hesitate to ask!