Is it possible for a modem to ruin a router?

[lisaone]

So this isnt really a windows problem but I don't know where else to ask! Just about a month ago my router seemed to stop working properly, my computer and all other devices could see it, they could also connect to it, but when they did the internet was so slow it was basically useless, it was the kind of slow where a light webpage wouldnt even load most if the time. I tried resetting it, soft resets, hard resets, factory restored, holy water, haaa jk. But nothing worked. I was able to directly connect my laptop to the cable modem with an ethernet cable and it ran just fine, so I knew it wasn't the internet or the modem.

I went out and bought another router, it's a glorious router and I got myself a 3 year extended warranty because these things always seem to die just after warranty expires, so got it home, set him up, internet is good! Ahhhh.

....for about a month.

Now the EXACT same thing has happened as before! It's practically useless, I've reset it every which way you can, but its acting broken as all hell, nothing works when im connected to the router, it has like two kind of networks built into it, I couldn't get anything to load when I'm connected to either, yet connecting directly to the modem is fine.

I just can't understand how this can happen again to a brand new router (a different brand too, this ones netgear, old one was belkin) the modem is almost ten years old, I worried that perhaps it's sending some kind of bad signal and messing up the router, I just don't get it!

Also I should add I checked the firmware, it's the latest, does anyone have ANY ideas?

 

[HAVOC]

Is it plugged into a surge protector?

 

[lisaone]

It is actually... Can that interfere??

 

[HAVOC]

No. Just making sure a small surge didn't break one of the routers.

 

[Ztruker]

Can you bypass the router and plug directly into the modem? Test and see how that works.

 

[lisaone]

I did, I already said that it works. The router doesnt.

 

[Digital Life]

Does turning the power off on Both the router and the modem for about 10,15 seconds fix it, Does the modem connect to the routers wan port and the computers connect to the lan ports. What router are you using we could follow the manufactures recommended settings for your country.

 

[Ztruker]

I did, I already said that it works. The router doesnt.

Sorry, I missed that.

Have you tried resetting the router. There is usually a small hidden button you can push for 5 - 10 seconds to do the reset. Sometimes you have to push and hold it then plug in the power.

Router make and model number would be good info to have as sml156 said.