Why does my wireless router keep disconnecting from time to time?

Question

I just bought a Netgear WGR614 v7 wireless router, and it actually works fine, easily installed, small and compact, but there's one thing wrong with it: It disconnects from time to time. Sure that may be okay for surfing websites, but I'm trying to use it for gaming and I can't have it disconnect whenever it feels like it. Why can't it be more stable? Is there something I can do to make the connection more stable?

For the last hour I've used it today, it disconnected once.

Answer 1

i just had the same problem, then i figured out that because it was sitting on the monitor, it was overheating which caused the disconnect, try relocating and make sure all wires are securely connected

Answer 2

I do not think it is the connection between the wall connection and the router. I believe it is between the router and your computer. The reason I am clarifying this because it sounds like you are saying it is a problem with the internet provider and I do not think it is a problem with the provider. Not that they are perfect or it will not go down, but it is highly unlikely.

No, I think your router is just fine. What a lot of people do not understand that wireless does not necessarily mean you can move all around the house with it. Walls will interfere with signal and signal strength. Case in point: I had a friend who's router was in his soho (small office home office) as long as he was in the office area or the room across the hallway from his office the signal was strong, but let him move to his kitchen, 15 feet away and he had trouble getting a signal to and from his laptop computer. There is a way out of this and that is to put "access points" around the house, this way there is a strong signal wherever you go in the house. It might not hurt to get a highgain antenna for it too.

Answer 3

It could be interference. Most wireless routers default to channel 1, 6 or 11, so if there are other networks nearby they could be interfering. Cordless phones usually start at channel 1 and switch channels to get a better signal if necessary. Microwave ovens put out interference mostly on channels 7-11. If the disconnects happen when the phone or microwave is used or when people get home from work, that's a clue. I find channel 4 works well in most cases. And remember to change the default SSID and router password and enable WPA encryption on your network.

Answer 4

There is a firmware upgrade version 1.0.14 for your router at:

http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/wgr614v7.asp

My WG602v3 would cut-out on me all of the time before I upgrade the firmware in that. Not the same model as yours, but I believe there was an across the board issue that they resolved late last year with firmware upgrades for all of their WiFi products.

Be sure to follow the directions for upgrading the firmware and make sure that you do NOT try to do the firmware upgrade over a wireless connection -- hook a network cable directly to the device from a computer if you have to; otherwise, you will risk destroying the router.

Good luck,

Annorax64

Answer 5

My experience with that kind of behavior is that you may have some radio frequency source in your house (apartment, hovel, whatever) such as a cordless telephone. If you have a telephone that operates in the 2.x gigahertz range, it can interfere with a wireless router while being used. If so, you are going to want to try running the router on other frequencies until you find one that won't be a problem. The other option is to get 5.8Ghz phones.

Answer 6

The most common reason is you are getting too far away from your router! Wireless routers dont always work as far as the distance says on the box. This distance is under ideal conditions (out in the desert with no obstructions). Many things in your home can drastically reduce this including wireless phones. Do a little trip around your house and check signal strength.

Answer 7

I have the same problem, and same router - right now, I called Verizon and Netgear (India) and all they both told me was to turn on and off computer (4 times) and Netgear person told me to hit reset - now I am completely off wireless, and have not been able to get back on - my router is useless, and so are the tech support people from India. By the way, I am getting SICK AND TIRED of being sent to India for American tech support. Dell, Quickbooks, Verizon, and now Netgear. This is getting just ridiculous and they DO NOT HELP!!!!!!

Answer 8

Your router connection prestige has no longer something to do including your information superhighway connection. you may have finished potential exhibiting and nevertheless no longer be waiting to connect with the internet. once you notice the wifi connection potential meter, it incredibly is only telling you the way nicely your connection is out of your pc on your router. out of your router to the internet is a thoroughly different tale altogether. It sounds to me like your information superhighway connection is dropping. you will desire to touch your provider and determine which you're no longer experiencing intermittent connectivity with their community. they'd run checks on their end to be certain if there is any packet loss. you would be taken aback to pay attention what they locate now and returned. i urge you and all people else that has information superhighway connection issues to do this. a marvelous type of the time they'd splendid the subject yet now and returned they'd desire to swap your router or perhaps come out and re-provision your circuit. whats up you're determining to purchase it so determine you're getting the final provider you in all risk can. that is not any longer favourite for an information superhighway circuit to consistently drop connection like that.

Answer 9

I have the same prob- it's something to do with the configuration of your box and the encryption on your wireless card. My fella plays age of empire and he gets well pi$sed with it! My netgear box is from Sky and they are useless!!!

Answer 10

Your router isn't set up properly.

Call Netgear tech support, they can walk your through it.