Often (probably a couple times a week), I come home from work and none of my devices (iPhone, laptop) can connect to my home wireless network via this router (WRT54G ver 6 -- the kind you can't install Tomato or other firmware on -- correct me if I'm wrong!). By unplugging the power and plugging it back in, things seem to reset and work fine.
Anybody else have this issue?
Some more specifics: I'm plugged into a cable modem. I don't broadcast the SSID, and I limit access by MAC address (I know, I know).
Any ideas?
Question about
Dropping connections?
I had the same problem with my WRT54G. I switched it over to DD-WRT and no problems since then. Why does Cisco/Linksys insist on using such crummy software.
The WRT54G V6 can run DD-WRT. You have to go through an extra step or two and you have to use the micro install. Go to DD-WRT's Supported Hardware page. They link to instructions for that specific router.
The WRT54G V6 can run DD-WRT. You have to go through an extra step or two and you have to use the micro install. Go to DD-WRT's Supported Hardware page. They link to instructions for that specific router.
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Naturally, you should make sure that you're running the latest firmware from the manufacturer. Other than that, there's really not much that you can do, no magical settings to change.
Every consumer router that I've ever used has suffered from this problem to some degree. Once a week, and perhaps more frequently if you're doing file-sharing and using it really heavily, they just get bogged down, and need a reset.
The only fool-proof solution I've found is to get a 54G (or GL) that does support DD-WRT or Tomato, and use one of those firmwares. I've been using Tomato for years, and the only time I ever need to reboot is when I decide to upgrade to the a newer version.
Luckily, your version can, with some amount of effort, run DD-WRT. You should look here www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices#Li... and here en.wikibooks.org/wiki/DD-WRT/%22Flashing%22_instru... to see what you need to do. It'll be worth the effort.
Every consumer router that I've ever used has suffered from this problem to some degree. Once a week, and perhaps more frequently if you're doing file-sharing and using it really heavily, they just get bogged down, and need a reset.
The only fool-proof solution I've found is to get a 54G (or GL) that does support DD-WRT or Tomato, and use one of those firmwares. I've been using Tomato for years, and the only time I ever need to reboot is when I decide to upgrade to the a newer version.
Luckily, your version can, with some amount of effort, run DD-WRT. You should look here www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices#Li... and here en.wikibooks.org/wiki/DD-WRT/%22Flashing%22_instru... to see what you need to do. It'll be worth the effort.
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Mike,
No need to purchase another router. I had the same exact problem (along with some MAJOR interference from microwaves and cordless phones also found in my apartment), and a simple firmware update handled all issues. If you wish to go for some specific functionality then by all means go for a certain flavor of firmware, but to stop the dropped connections immediately just go grab the newest firmware update from the manufacturer.
No need to purchase another router. I had the same exact problem (along with some MAJOR interference from microwaves and cordless phones also found in my apartment), and a simple firmware update handled all issues. If you wish to go for some specific functionality then by all means go for a certain flavor of firmware, but to stop the dropped connections immediately just go grab the newest firmware update from the manufacturer.
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Exact same as my experience. I had the version 6, no ability to run the cool stuff on it, and it started to drop my wife and I several times a week with increasing frequency until it got to several times a day.
I was shocked that there was a firmware upgrade out for it that I had overlooked (I guess since it is an infrastructure device it simply slipped my mid, I'm good about that sort of thing with everything else). After installing it the problem was 100% resolved.
Sure it still occasionally drops all of us, but only perhaps once a month.
I was shocked that there was a firmware upgrade out for it that I had overlooked (I guess since it is an infrastructure device it simply slipped my mid, I'm good about that sort of thing with everything else). After installing it the problem was 100% resolved.
Sure it still occasionally drops all of us, but only perhaps once a month.
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Mine used to ALWAYS do this. Your problems fit mine like, exactly. But, over the 2 years we've had ours, it began doing it less and less, now it hasn't done it in, oh, idk, 7 months?
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What if you leave a device connected via ethernet, does it suffer from the same problem?
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I have the same thing happen but very rarely (once every few months of being on 24/7). I haven't found a solution yet but I can commiserate. It might be time to chuck this and buy a better router.
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I actually have had the same exact problem with this exact router, and a good amount of people I know also had the same experience. From what my experience, all I can tell you is that you should upgrade to one of Cisco's newest routers. They sell a decent wireless g one for 30-40 bucks and it looks like a big pebble, almost. Very sleek.
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I had a lot of problems with my WRT54G, apparently any version beyond 4 or 5 has very mediocre firmware. I threw DD-WRT on it and have not looked back since. I even have it set up on my second router and have it configured as a Wireless Bridge for my Xbox and Direct TV DVR
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That's great to hear that I can run other firmware! I'll give it a shot and see if it fixes my problems. It sounds like I might also be able to use WDS if I get DD-WRT running, allowing me to use my Airport Express as a bridge.
Thanks, and Let the hacking begin!
Thanks, and Let the hacking begin!
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Same issue... have to disconnect and restart now and then..but overall it's been going for years with no other problems, and with heavy use in our home. Can't complain for the $.
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Another vote for DD-WRT. Even the micro version (which I have) still makes a huge difference and has pretty much solved the problem you're experiencing for me. Definitely give it a try.
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I had the same issues with this router dropping connections (mostly wireless, though sometimes wired as well). I was going to install Tomato, but instead just replaced it with an Airport Extreme.
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I had a similar problem with this router. A firmware update fixed it for me.
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This problem (but worse must reboot everyday) just started with my WRT54G after 6 years of great service. I plan on trying DD-WRT today hopefully it's just firmware and not hardware transmitter burning out. If it works I shall take her over seas with me as she's beeing replaced by a Cisco 610N today. I hope I didn't over due it by going all out with the 610N.
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+1 for DD-WRT
i do have an issue with dropping the wireless connection, but that is limited to 1 particular notebook and only occurred after a fresh installation of XP pro SP3 on said machine, so i tend to blame it on the notebook and not my good old trusty wrt-54g which served me so well over many, many years. :)
i had a wrt-54g2 here, but this one is utterly useless and absolutely unworthy of this great name!
i do have an issue with dropping the wireless connection, but that is limited to 1 particular notebook and only occurred after a fresh installation of XP pro SP3 on said machine, so i tend to blame it on the notebook and not my good old trusty wrt-54g which served me so well over many, many years. :)
i had a wrt-54g2 here, but this one is utterly useless and absolutely unworthy of this great name!
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I thought it was because I had Windows 7 RC (I have an HP Pavilion tx2500 with recently installed Windows 7 7229 x86) because it kept cutting out my connection, but after OS problems with my desktop, I installed 7229 on that computer and the connection is always strong. So then I thought maybe it was the laptop, but when I had vista, I had the same problem(s). Now, this is a family used router, so should I really risk trying to install something to it?
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I had this router till i bricked it. but i had the same problem also tried a Belkin Wireless G Router and still had the same problem. i replaced my 2wire modem and router with an Actiontec - ADSL Modem with 802.11g Wireless Router and 4-Port Ethernet Switch and the problem ceased to exist. Might have been the modem.
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One thing you could quickly try would be to re-enable SSID broadcast. I used to have a very similar problem to yours on a Dlink router many years ago that went away after enabling SSID.
Modern routers shouldn't even let you disable SSID. It provides absolutely zero security (nor does MAC filtering), and only serves to create connectivity problems. As long as you're using WPA-AES (or higher) encryption with a good password, you don't need any of that other junk.
Modern routers shouldn't even let you disable SSID. It provides absolutely zero security (nor does MAC filtering), and only serves to create connectivity problems. As long as you're using WPA-AES (or higher) encryption with a good password, you don't need any of that other junk.
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yeah I've had that problem as well. I eventually switched over and got a Netgear router. I have had a much better experience with it than the Linksys one
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I've had this problem for years off and on, and it got even worse a couple days ago.
Is the router plugged into a power strip?
If so, try plugging it into another spot on the strip, or directly into the wall.
I've had no issues at all since I plugged it right into the outlet :-D
Is the router plugged into a power strip?
If so, try plugging it into another spot on the strip, or directly into the wall.
I've had no issues at all since I plugged it right into the outlet :-D
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I'm having the same issue with my PS3 dropping connection. I did a Linksys firmware update and it didn't do much for me. I downloaded the DD-WRT file, but I'm a little scared of bricking the thing.
Guess I need to bite the bullet eventually.
Guess I need to bite the bullet eventually.
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Started experiencing the same issue a few days ago with my WRT54G. A simple reset only fixed the problem temporarily and it began dropping connections a few hours later. Unplugging both the router and modem seems to have fixed the problem for now.
Think I might've had too many BT connections active, but not really sure.
Think I might've had too many BT connections active, but not really sure.
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I was having similar problems with the latest firmware. After installing DD-WRT it has not happened again. It was happening pretty much on a daily basis.
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I have the same problem ,,sometimes I can go weeks with no problems other times i have to reboot every day...
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Over the last decade, I've had two Linksys routers (and one Dlink) that have suffered the same fate. They worked fine for a year or so (sometimes less), then they began dropping the internet connection. Firmware updates and various tweaks never resolved the issue, so they ended up in my spare parts bin. Four years ago I bought an Apple Airport Express and haven't had any problems.
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firmware!! firmware !! firmware!!, if that doesnt fix, newegg!! newegg!!! newegg!!.
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Is that what is losing my connection? Hell, I thought it was my cable company...lol. Good, now maybe a quick router reboot or firmware upgrade and this will stop.
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Before I updated to the latest firmware the router would sometimes drop all connections. A reboot would temporarily fix it.
Now that I have the latest firmware, I have different problems. The router is still connected to the internet (successful ping) but for some reason none of the computers on the network can connect. The only fix I've been able to find so far is to reset the default settings. That means setting it up all over again.
Now that I have the latest firmware, I have different problems. The router is still connected to the internet (successful ping) but for some reason none of the computers on the network can connect. The only fix I've been able to find so far is to reset the default settings. That means setting it up all over again.
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I had this one and it kept dropping the signal, brand new out of the box. The online store I ordered from required me to deal with Linksys for the problems I was having. I tried all the different firmwares for it, nothing worked. I must have called the customer service number at least 15 different times (they were no help, they treat you like your a kid. Hey I know how to work this thing, it's just a crap product you made). They sent me 7 or 8 different replacements, non of them worked either. I ended up just throwing it out and getting a D-Link since no one would give me my money back. Ever since I got the D-Link I have had 0 problems. I will never by Linksys again.
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Every Linksys router I have used has had this problem. In my experience, the dropoffs would happen happen more frequently as the unit would age. I replaced my previous Linksys unit with an Airport Extreme and all the problems went away.
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The problem i have had in the past is anti virus software and or additional firewalls. I u don't go onto irregular sites u don't have to worry about it as much and u can delete those programs. It might work better. I worked for me in the past with other routers.
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This issue happens with almost all consumer level router devices I've ever owned or supported. For a number of clients that would not purchase business class hardware - my simple hack was to plug the router into one of those light timers that you can manually set to physically switch off the power and then switch it back on - essentially cycling the power automatically. Set it up to power off for the shortest period possible every night at 4 or 5am - problem solved.
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I found a webpage that shows you how to open the router. You simply pull apart 2 pieces of the shell (no screws). Then I wiped the chips 3 chips with an alcohol wipe and stuck some ramsinks I had lying around on them. This took about 3 minutes. As I type this, I'm destroying a cheap notebook cooler for its fan to put inside. It'll be USB powered. I followed loosely this guide: www.overclock.net/other-hardware-mods/316899-how-i...
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Check with your internet provider and check that your modem isn't outdated!
I have the same exact router, and had the same problem...thought the router was the problem BUT as it turns out my MODEM was outdated for my internet providers service. (Cox cable) and actually would have stopped working entirely by the end of 2009!! Now with a new $35 modem (order over the phone it's cheaper), my connection is flawless and nearly twice as fast!!!
I have the same exact router, and had the same problem...thought the router was the problem BUT as it turns out my MODEM was outdated for my internet providers service. (Cox cable) and actually would have stopped working entirely by the end of 2009!! Now with a new $35 modem (order over the phone it's cheaper), my connection is flawless and nearly twice as fast!!!
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Firmware upgrade recently solved all my problems. Also found firmware ugprade for my range extender. I am totally happy!!
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I have version 2 of this router and it was doing it with the latest firmware. Almost daily had to power cycle it. After installing DD-WRT firmware the problem disappeared.
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i used to have this router, got pissed after having to do this to much and bought a 20$ router from microcenter and havent had a problem with it...come on a 20$ router worked better than a large corporations?
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Happens to be as well. I have to physically reboot the router for the problem to be fixed. :| I'm going to upgrade to the new Apple routers when they come out this year.
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