Internet connection regularly cutting out

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  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    Internet connection regularly cutting out


    Lately the computers in my house have been having an issue maintaining a stable Internet connection. Our setup is the typical cable modem -> wireless router -> computers. We can connect to the wireless network no problem (always with the "Internet Access" icon as well), but typically pages cut in and out. This will happen once or twice a day out of nowhere, and last for a while.

    The cable modem lights indicate nothing unusual. Resetting the wireless router doesn't seem to make a difference. I've picked an optimal channel. I'll be trying plugging an ethernet cable into the router later today to see if that works.

    I'm not sure if it's the router or the cable modem causing the issue, or sure how to determine which it is. I don't mind buying a new one of either, but I'd rather not buy both :)

    Any suggestions on how to proceed?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,618
    Win7 Home Premium x64 W10Pro&Home
       #2

    It sounds like you have interference from cordless phones or neighbors. Try the Xirrus gadget to show you whats up with the neighbors, it will show what channels they are using so you can pick a clean channel. Get the router positioned as high and as far from walls or windows as possible, and no phone base close to the router.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I used inSSIDer to pick a good channel already, and the router is well-positioned. It's possible there's other background but I'm not sure how to check for it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,618
    Win7 Home Premium x64 W10Pro&Home
       #4

    Do you have the power saving features of your router turned on? Check both, router and adapter, turn off power saving.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I've already turned off power saving settings on my adapter. The router doesn't have any settings, so far as I can tell.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Any other ideas?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #7

    hb1547 said:
    Any other ideas?
    What type of security and encryption are you using for the wireless connection?

    Channel selection is probably more complicated than you think as many of the channels overlap so just choosing one that the neighbors aren't using won't always solve the problem, I'd have to see the insider read out myself.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Wpa2-psk.

    I'll add that this has been a recent development. No real settings have been changed on the router in the last two years, aside from when i changed the channel recently to try to fix the dropouts.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #9

    hb1547 said:
    Wpa2-psk.

    I'll add that this has been a recent development. No real settings have been changed on the router in the last two years, aside from when i changed the channel recently to try to fix the dropouts.
    Ok WPA2 is good but which encryption, AES or TKIP?

    I'd have to see the insider or Xirrus read out in order to help with channel selection.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I'm using AES. Here's the inSSIDer graph of channels:



    I'm "YOUR_TEARING_ME_APART_LISA" (I'm not the one who can't spell...).
    Our router uses two channels, a primary and secondary as I understand. The primary is the one I set (I picked 8), and the secondary is automatically set to be 4 below or 4 above (so now the secondary is 4).

    The signal is weaker than some of the others, but this is because I'm in the back room of the house, farthest from the router. The relatively weaker signal hasn't been much of an issue before.
      My Computer


 
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