network gets jammed and need to reset the router?

Question

Very often my internet gets stuck and needs to switch off the router and modem to get back online..why does this happen and what can be done to prevent this

Answer 1

I will guess you have a home router (Netgear, Linksys, Dlink, or other) connected to an external broadband modem (DSL or cable). I found good info at http://www.dslreports.com.

The next time this happens, can you reboot your computer and get back on-line? If so, that points at your computer, and not the router and modem.

Is this the only computer on this router? If you have a second computer, see if you have problems on the second computer at the same time as the first computer.

Let's say you can't reach the internet after your computer reboots. Can you still reach the router and modem? Most routers have a web management interface. Read documentation for your router and modem -- try this first when your internet connection is working, so you know what it's supposed to look like in normal conditions. If it doesn't work when your internet connection isn't working, that helps tell which device is not working.

The web management interface is usually the same IP address as your default gateway. In Windows, go to a command/DOS prompt, type 'ipconfig', and look for the line that says "Default Gateway". For example if the Default Gateway is 192.168.0.1, put 'http://192.168.0.1" in your web browser. Note, this assumes your router acts as a DHCP server and hands out an IP address to your computer when it boots up, and you are not using a static IP address on your computer. If you see an address like "169.254.x.x", that means your computer assigned itself an IP address because it didn't get one from your router.

You should either be prompted for the login name/password or get directly to the main page. This means your router is still working.

Your external modem may have a management web interface, also. For example, most Motorola Surfboard cable modems have a simple web interface at http://192.168.100.1. You could also try pinging the IP addresses of your router and modem, but it is possible that they can be screwed up and still reply to pings.

If you can't get to the web management interface, that's a sign the device isn't working right. For example, I have a Motorola SB5120 cable modem that locked up after being on for about 9 months. All the LEDs were on, but there was no response on the web management interface. A reboot fixed that problem for now.

In an earlier case, I had a Cisco 675 cable modem (bridging mode) that was working, but showed the DSL connection going down many times a day. After Qwest verified the line was fine, I replaced it with a Cisco 678, and the line problems went away.

Try rebooting the router and see if you are able to get to the internet. That points at your router. Check your manufacturer's web site to see if there is a firmware update for your router.

Are you connecting to your router using wireless? Try connecting to your router directly with an ethernet patch cord and see if the problems continue to occur. If the problems don't occur when you're directly connected, you may have problems wireless. If you are using some type of encryption (WPA, WPA2, AES, or plain old WEP), try using no encryption temporarily to see if the problems continue. Fixing wireless problems is worth another question (or searching for other folks' recent questions).

Okay, let's assume that you're directly connected to the router, the problem occurs, and rebooting the computer doesn't help, and both the router and broadband modem appear to be up. Rebooting the router doesnt' help. Next try rebooting the modem. The modem (DSL or Cable) is pretty simple and usually works or doesn't. But as I experienced above, the modem can be the problem.

If you are leasing the modem from your provider, contact their support center to get help. Explain all the steps you've taken so far. Don't be surprised if they ask you to do all the steps again, including removing your router and attaching your computer directly to the modem.

If you own the modem, start looking to buy a replacement.

Answer 2

do a scan to make sure nobody has hacked your computer or if there is spyware on your computer.