Default Gateway Is Not Available (i know it's been brought up before)

[ehat]

Hi all,

I know this has come up a lot here and elsewhere but I haven't found a solution that works for me. Also, my problem seems a little different - while most people I've seen talk about this issue mention getting disconnected from the internet a few times a day, or when they reboot, to me that sounds like paradise because right now, I can't get five minutes before the internet gets cut off, sometimes closer to thirty seconds. i am seriously about to lose my mind.

So, we have a cable modem with a new service provider. We also have a new wireless router, an Apple 802.11n Wi-Fi Hard Drive that also serves as a router. These two factors (service provider and router) changed simultaneously but I suspect the issue has more to do with the router.

So the issue is the same as what many people have described - after a few minutes of browsing the web (if I'm lucky), I am no longer able to connect to the internet. I am still connected to the network but am unable to connect to the internet. I go to the troubleshooter in the Network and Sharing Center and it repairs the issue with the message "Default Gateway Is Not Available." Then I have internet again...for a few minutes, until it happens all over again. Disconnecting and reconnecting also works.

I have a new (1 month old) Lenovo ThinkPad T410 and it connected to the internet fine prior to the new router/service provider.

Here is what I have tried to solve the problem:

- Uninstalled Lenovo ThinkVantage Access Control because I thought it might be interferring with Windows wireless management tool.
- Disabled the firewall
- Disabled all AV (I generally have Microsoft Security Essentiallys running, plus SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes that don't provide active protection but that I use to occasionally scan.)
- Disabled all non-MS software in msconfig
- Manually set IP address under Wireless Connections settings (and then went back to automatic). I changed it to both what it said when I ran ipconfig and what I found suggested in several places: 192.168.0.50, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, default gateway 192.168.0.1, DNS the same...
- Checked that the wireless driver was up to date (it was, details below)
- Ran the Windows 7 Troubleshooter a zillion times
- Deleted the network and recreated it (many times)
- Turned off the Power Management option to allow the device to be shut off to save power (under Device Management)
- Flushed the routing table in cmd

The only thing that really seemed to make a difference was uninstalling the ThinkVantage software. That seemed to make the internet bounce back quicker after it cuts out, but other than that, nothing has changed the situation. Also, the problem seemed to occur less often when I rebooted in Safe Mode, but it still occurred and and it's hard to say for sure if it was left often since the interval is irregular anyway.

I am unable to ping the given default gateway (ipconfig below - 10.0.1.1)

Macs and Vista machines are working fine on the network, so I do think it's something to do with Windows 7 and the new router.

Please help, I am going insane having to reset my connection every 30 seconds.

********************
Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix : cable.rcn.com
Link-local IPv6 Address : fe80::b946:ab9d:206b:a8f8÷13
IPv4 Address : 10.0.1.4
Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway : 10.0.11

Ethernet adapter Local Area Conection:

Media State : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix :

Tunnel adapter isatap.cable.rcn.com:

Media State : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix : cable.rcn.com

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Media State : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix :

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix :
IPv6 Address : 2001:0:4137:9e76:3e:60e3:30d9:1cce
Link-Local IPv6 Address : fe80::3e:60e3:30d9:1cce÷14
Default Gateway :

*********************************

Under "Wireless Network Connection Properties" it says

Connect using: 11b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter II

When I click on "Configure", it gives the following driver information:

Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Date: 6/28/10
Driver Version: 2017.1.628.2010
Digital Sender: Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher
Driver Files: rtl8192se.sys; vwifibus.sys

Also, back under properties, it says

"This connection uses the following items:
Client for Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver
Link-Layer Topology Discovery Responder"

I have not tried uninstalling or reinstalling any of those or the Realtek driver because I'm un clear on how to do reinstall.

I am not good with computers (as is probably abundantly obvious) so please talk to me like you'd talk to your grandmother when it comes to computer stuff. Seriously, I suck at this.

Thanks so much guys

 

[severedsolo]

Hi ehat welcome to the forums,

First of all, thank you so much for such a detailed explanation, it really goes a long way towards helping us help you.

I am a little bit confused by this bit:

- Manually set IP address under Wireless Connections settings (and then went back to automatic). I changed it to both what it said when I ran ipconfig and what I found suggested in several places: 192.168.0.50, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, default gateway 192.168.0.1, DNS the same...

Was your gateway (router) at 10.0.1.1 originally, or have you now changed it to 192.168.0.1?

If the latter, how have you changed it, in Windows, or in the router?

Secondly, if you haven't changed the router settings, when the connection IS working, are you able to log into the router at 10.0.1.1? (May be 1.0.11 as you typed, but I suspect that was a typo)

 

[ehat]

Hi Martin,

So like I said, my grasp on computers is weak at best. And yeah, that was a typo, definitely 10.0.1.1.

So basically this - when I first ran ipconfig, it said the default gateway was 10.0.1.1. I went to "View Network Connections" (from Start) and right clicked on the wireless and selected "Properties." There, I double-clicked IPv4 and changed the settings from "Obtain an IP address automatically" to "Use the following IP address" and then tried two different configurations. One was the generic 192.168.0.1 - did not work. The other was using the info I'd got from ipconfig - the default gateway 10.0.1.1. That did not solve the problem either. Then I changed it back to automatic.

I don't know what the purpose of that experiment was, it was just stabbing in the dark. So if it sounds nonsensical, it might just be nonsensical.

 

[Orbital Shark]

Hi,

What happens when you open your Internet browser and type 192.168.0.1 into the address bar?


OS

 

[ehat]

or to actually answer your question (having reread it) 10.0.1.1 is the original gateway, that seems to be what it's using when the connection is working. It also seems to be the "default gateway" in question when it's not working. Which almost sounds like the router signal is flickering, but it doesn't disconnect me from the local network and the signal always appears very strong.

^talking out of my ass

 

[severedsolo]

Makes perfect sense... in fact you were fiddling in the wrong place, best case you would have seen no improvement, worst case you could have lost your connection altogether.

At this point I was going to recommend you download a little diagnostic program, but it looks like it doesnt work with your router.... so we'll have to do this the hard way.

Please log in to your router by typing 10.0.1.1 into your web browser, find the page that says WAN status or Internet Status, or something similar. You'll know when you find it because it will say your Sync Speed (may be Connection Speed) and your SNR on it, please upload a screenshot of this screen both when the connection is working, and when it isn't.

I have a feeling I know what's wrong, and I also have a feeling it's an external problem, but I want to make sure.

 

[ehat]

typing 192... into address bar - it times out (whether or not the internet is working)

 

[ehat]

Not able to log into the router by putting 10.0.1.1 into the address bar (neither on the computer with the problem nor on my other computer). my roommate set the router up.

also, i have no doubt i was fiddling in the wrong place. i did lose the connection altogether a few times, but managed to undo

 

[severedsolo]

When you say you can't log in, do you mean it's asking for a password that you don't know? Or is it just refusing the connection?

 

[ehat]

not able to = getting a "page load error"

 

[severedsolo]

Can you upload a Screenshot please It should at least ask you for a username and password

 

[Orbital Shark]

How long have you had the new router?

It could be that your ISP is performing tests to see which speed to cap you at (as was in my case). You could also try resetting the router to see if that solves the problem.

   Note

Please read all information given in the instructions as to how to reset your router

OS

 

[ehat]

I promise the screenshot is not very interesting. Trying to upload now...

 

[severedsolo]

Odd... That is definitely your default gateway, so why can't you log into it?

May be worth checking the router's documentation, or asking whoever set up your router.

Ok, I apologise for this, I was trying to not give you an information overload, but this is about as far as I can take you.

Im fairly certain, (say about 85%) that the problem is the router is losing sync. Or losing it's connection to your ISP in laymans terms. The reason I asked you to go to that page, is that this is normally caused by a low SNR margin.

SNR is "Signal to Noise" in other words, how well the router can hear the exchange, when the "Margin" drops below an acceptable level (usually 6Db) then the router is forced to resync, to maintain the connection.

As Orbital Shark rightly said, chances are that it is your ISP trying different speeds to see what your line can handle, if it is this, then it should settle down within 10 days at most, most likely less.

If after 10 days you are still having problems, I would recommend you get in touch with your ISP about this, as if that is what's happening, then it is a problem they can only fix from their end.

 

[ehat]

thanks, i'll give it a few more days and then will contact ISP. one question though - if this is a router/ISP problem, why is it only happening on one computer?

i'll also check the router instructions when i get home tonight.

thanks for your help and your clear, easy to understand explanation. it's much appreciated!

 

[alphanumeric]

In Internet Explorer what you want to enter is http://10.0.1.1/. One ritual I do when I'm having connection issues is to power cycle everything. Power everything down then power back up in order. Power up your cable or DSL modem first. Let it run for a couple of minutes then power up your router and let it run for a couple of minutes. Then power up each PC.

 

[ehat]

I don't use IE, I'm using Firefox and Safari, but adding the http doesn't do the trick there either.

As for the power down / power up - I was never quite sure of the right order, so thanks, I'll give that a try. Always a sensible suggestion.

 

[whitbyterry]

Apple Airport Routers do not use a web page to administer. There is a client app you must install to manage the settings.

 

[Madman4q2]

Same Problem

I have literally the same problem - and have tried the same things!!! If someone can resolve this, or if the 10 days thing actually worked please let me know because this is driving me mad!

 

[TheCyberMan]

thanks, i'll give it a few more days and then will contact ISP. one question though - if this is a router/ISP problem, why is it only happening on one computer?

i'll also check the router instructions when i get home tonight.

thanks for your help and your clear, easy to understand explanation. it's much appreciated!

Hi if it is only happening on one computer it may not be an isp problem.

Can you please post an ipconfig /all for us to review.

Madman4q2 please create your own thread askig for help in an existing thread is not allowed we are helping the OP.

Also can you download xirrus from the link below and open it up and take a screenshot when you are connected please and post in your next reply.

Wi-Fi Inspector | Xirrus