Random cut outs on internet?

RileyTheFox · June 27, 2018

Hey. In the past couple of days my internet has been dropping randomly for about 10-15 seconds at a time. Windows doesn't detect a drop out (the network symbol doesn't change on the system tray).

I think I've narrowed it down to my router. I think this because my phone is also being affected. I thought at first it was just Discord as it would randomly take 20+ seconds to send a message but other web pages stop loading and it also happens on my phone.

I know I've had a dodgy Ethernet port on my wall before but I got that fixed ages ago. I tried testing that by wiggling the cable which used to cause it but that wasn't the issue.

If it is a problem with the router, how can I fix it? I will replug all the cables to it and see if it was just a loose cable. But in the chance that it isn't, what can I do? My ISP is Virgin Media and we have the ISP provided router (I know they're bad but I can't afford to build my own pfSense box). Maybe there's a firmware problem? How would I flash it if that's the problem)

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

mattl115 · June 27, 2018

Assuming you have already power cycled your router as a preliminary step, my next recommendation would be to log into the web UI of the router and see if there are any updates available for it. If not you can try to do a factory reset on the router that could help as well.

mattl115 · June 27, 2018

5 minutes ago, mattl115 said:

Assuming you have already power cycled your router as a preliminary step, my next recommendation would be to log into the web UI of the router and see if there are any updates available for it. If not you can try to do a factory reset on the router that could help as well.

But since it is an ISP provided router your options may be limited there without engaging tech support.