Random Loss Of WiFi Connection

[seekermeister]

This is a new problem, in that it has only happened a couple of times over the past two days, but considering it's previous stability, I'm concerned of an impending total failure.

On these occasions, while watching Hulu on my HTPC, which only connects via WiFi on my Router (Cisco E3000), the movies were interrupted by a loss of connection, indicated by the white tray icon turning orange, and when expanding it's menu, the connection bearing the name of my network had disappeared.

On the first failure, the flashing light on the network adapter (Belkin F5D8055) continued flashing as usual, but the steady light was out, until pressing the connection button. The second time around, both light remained lit as normal, but in both instances my network connection on the network adapter's tray icon had disappeared. Using the WiFi's network adapter's connection button, and the router's PBC button didn't solve the problem, nor anything else that I tried.

Since the WiFI connection is primarily for internet access, rather than connecting computers, and that shutting off my desktop doesn't usually effect the HTPC's internet connection, it seems obvious that the connection is managed by just the router, adapter and HTPC, so I fail to understand the relationship between the vanishing network and the loss of internet connection.

When these failures occurred, they only lasted for ~ 10-15 minutes, and then were restored on their own, with no more apparent reason than the outage had. So far, this is only an annoyance, but I fear that it is an omen of greater problems on the horizon, and I have no idea of how to isolate the origin of the problem...does anyone else?

 

[norm85nz]

I got a similar problem I think...whenever I do some browsing on the Internet or play games the connection just cuts off and comes back in a few minutes...does yours show 'No Internet Access'? Coz mine does it's seriously annoying it's been going on for over 2 weeks now >.>...happens with the other computers as well so I think it's a problem with the router.

 

[seekermeister]

On mine, the connection totally disappears. I don't think that the problem is with the adapter, because it continues to show signals from other neighboring WiFis. That would seem to isolate the problem either to the router or with something within the OS (in terms of the router installation). I haven't gotten any further than that, because of other tasks that I have been working on (I think that maybe I'm just procrastinating, because I don't feel that I know how to handle it).

EDIT: Which router do you have?

 

[seekermeister]

I now believe that the problem is with the router, because when using a scraper in XMBC, twice it lost the connection while updating my movies, and that was on my desktop which is hard wired, not the HTPC which is WiFi. I don't believe that this has anything to do with LAN settings, because I think that the internet connection is supposed to work, even without a LAN setup. If this is some kind of defect in the router, is there some method of further testing it, so that I don't RMA it without it really being the problem?

 

[2xg]

Hello,

If the issue is both wired and wireless, I would consider a router firmware update. If that didn't resolve the issue please RESET the Router to the factory default setting and reconfigure everything.
It's not advisable to restore the previous settings, best to start fresh. You may take a note or do print screens of your current settings prior to a router reset.

An update will be appreciated.

 

[seekermeister]

I will start by confessing that I know very little about routers, and less about the one that I'm using, so I'm groping, regardless of the issue. I checked for a firmware update, and there is one which I would try, but I have failed to find any instructions on how to perform it. The download has a .bin extension, but when selecting it, all that happens is that it opens my zipper program, but the program remains empty, so obviously that isn't the right thing to do. Do you know how to use this type of update file?

Scanning over some discussions that seemed might be related to this problem, I found one that suggested that overheating might be the cause. The poster got a cooling pad for the router, which I would consider, except that I have no idea of what is or is not too hot? How would one judge this?

For reference, here is the downloads page:

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/UK/en/support/E3000/download

 

[2xg]

You did the right thing by extracting the zipped file. See if this guide would be of helped on how to install the firmware to your router. Make sure to use a wired or direct connection to your router.

As for the cooling pad, I never had to use one before or never suggested to anyone. If the router is faulty it's best to replace it rather than trying to find a workaround that may even don't last or even work.

 

[seekermeister]

You misunderstood, there was nothing to unzip. As I said, the file extension is .bin, and it does not appear in the zipper, even though trying to open the file does open the zipper. As far as RMAing the router, after reading this thread, I get the impression that the problem is with the entire line, not just this unit:

Linksys E3000 Connectivity Problems - Cisco Home Community

Besides, my warranty just ran out.

 

[2xg]

Alright, I think that the link that I have provided you shd help you install the firmware. See if that resolves your issue, if not then the next task to do is Reset your Linksys router to factory default setting then reconfigure all.

 

[seekermeister]

I'm going to follow your advise, but I still have a hunch that cooling is the problem. The reasons being is that because I'm somewhat sedentary, I keep the room temperature a little higher than most people for comfort. This, and the fact that it seems that when I have the most problems with loss of connectivity is during the afternoon, when the room temperature gets slightly higher, due to the inaccuracy of the thermostat, and that the periods of loss of connections is short, as might be the case if a cooling period is required.

I have noticed that most of the ventilation openings are on the bottom of the case, but the legs only provide perhaps 3/16" if clearance from the desktop surface for circulation. Of course, there are a few ventilation slots on top of the router, but there is no fan, so it depends on passive cooling. The case is quite warm to the touch, and if this were some other component in the PC, I would be quite concerned about cooling it. For the time being, I've decided to experment by turning the router upside down, as one person mentioned, to see if it might cool better that way.

It might be a waste of time, but I would like to find a good means to cool it via a fan.

 

[KremmenUK]

If you are connecting to your router via a USB dongle then ensure that all your 'Root Hubs' in Device Manager are not set to 'allow the computer to send this port to sleep' (or words to that effect).

Unfortunately Win7 by default upon install sets them all to sleep mode.

 

[seekermeister]

No, the router is connected by ethernet, not USB, but I just checked the Root Hubs as you mentioned anyway, in case they might be related to other non-router issues, and they are not set to go to sleep. Thanks.