Router keeps dropping signal

cn1001 · Oct 07, 2011, 21:37:23

Hi,

Looking for some advice. I have a Netgear DG834PN router which has been working fine until last couple of months. Now my signal drops very frequently (sometimes every 1/2 hour). I have tested all my filters, upgraded firmware on the router and updated drivers for my wireless card.

Here are the details from the router:

System Up Time 03:21:38
Port    Status    TxPkts    RxPkts    Collisions    Tx B/s    Rx B/s    Up Time
WAN    PPPoA    191704    271760    0      3272    26231    03:21:09
LAN    10M/100M    12037    1747      0      271      23      03:21:34
WLAN 11M/54M    282997    208442    0      26717    3688      03:21:27

ADSL Link      Downstream    Upstream
Connection Speed    3776 kbps      448 kbps
Line Attenuation      52.0 db      31.5 db
Noise Margin      6.1 db      18.0 db

BT Speedtest results:

Download speedachieved during the test was - 2145 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 600-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :3776 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 3000 Kbps

The download speed seems to have dropped a bit, usually get nearer to 3gb.

Any advice would be appreciated

Steve · Oct 07, 2011, 21:50:10

The router stats look fine, the BT Speedtest shows low throughput but that may be due to exchange congestion best to compare with a direct Ethernet connection if wireless was used for this test.

I'm guessing the drop outs are WiFi,a common cause of this is neighbouring interference I suggest re directing the aerials and definitely try different channels

cn1001 · Oct 07, 2011, 21:55:01

Steve,

The speedtest was with an ethernet cable plugged in.

My laptop does show a lot of wireless networks in the area (about 10), so I will try changing the channel.

Any ideas on what the MTU should be set at? Currently have it at 1400.

Cheers

Craig

Steve · Oct 07, 2011, 22:11:44

I have my MTU set on the router at 1500 and never found much difference when I've reduced it.

cn1001 · Oct 07, 2011, 23:23:33

Set my MTU to 1500 & changed the channel. Now the router wont do anything, can't even log in to it through an ethernet cable! Gonna get up in the loft tomorrow and get my spare router down.

(sent from Android)

Lance · Oct 07, 2011, 23:30:19

That certainly is very odd. Might I suggest resetting the router back to factory settings and starting fresh? It's a pain, I know, but it might clear the issues.

Rik · Oct 08, 2011, 11:48:45

I agree with Lance, changing MTU shouldn't have caused that problem.

Gary · Oct 08, 2011, 12:38:56

Thats a pretty old router, launched in 2005, it may have just given up the ghost. As suggested a reset, and then make sure it has latest firmware, tbh reloading it would not be a bad thing in case its corrupt anyway, reinstalling firmware has cured odd behaviour on some routers.

cn1001 · Oct 08, 2011, 12:54:23

Thanks for the advice. Did a factory reset and now do not get a ppp light to come on. Still cannot access router settings through ethernet either. Same thing happens with my spare belkin router.

Rik · Oct 08, 2011, 12:55:02

That suggests a faulty cable, network card or computer setup.

Gary · Oct 08, 2011, 12:58:43

Quote from: Rik on Oct 08, 2011, 12:55:02
That suggests a faulty cable, network card or computer setup.

Can you pick up any other networks on your pc? Is it showing your network? Cables first would be easiest.

cn1001 · Oct 08, 2011, 13:07:21

Loads of networks showing, including mine (wireless). Click connect and windows (vista) says cannot connect.

Gary · Oct 08, 2011, 13:11:28

Quote from: cn1001 on Oct 08, 2011, 13:07:21
Loads of networks showing, including mine (wireless). Click connect and windows (vista) says cannot connect.

You would need to have a new connection as your network name and password has just changed If the PN is not well it may not connect anyway. I would use a different cable and try the belkin.

cn1001 · Oct 08, 2011, 21:02:35

Changed adsl cable and that seems to have sorted it

cn1001 · Oct 17, 2011, 21:04:38

Looks like I spoke too soon. Still getting regular drop outs!

I've swapped routers, changed cables and filters, but still getting drop outs.

have been monitoring the connection using RouterStats Lite and here are the results:

Steve · Oct 17, 2011, 21:14:33

Looking at your first post,your downstream margin has risen from 6 to 9, has your your downstream sync fallen as well? This to me suggests interference/noise or a possible line fault. I would suggest that you first need to rule out any interference that may be affecting the adsl signal. Can you access the BT test socket? (This isolates the internal wiring) connect your router with a 'good' filter and check your router stats on immediate connection and monitor again with routerstats.

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,1904.msg31528.html#msg31528

cn1001 · Oct 17, 2011, 21:52:45

Steve,

Plugged into the test socket and the only lights on the router were the power light and wireless light.

Routerstats flatlined:

Steve · Oct 17, 2011, 22:03:16

How are you connected to the test socket? It should be adsl filter (soap on rope) into test socket and then adsl cable (RJ11) into filter i.e. the same as it was before you disconnected the face plate.

cn1001 · Oct 17, 2011, 22:14:07

Yep, filter into test socket and then adsl cable into router.

Steve · Oct 17, 2011, 22:19:03

Obviously it normally works in exactly the same way as the connection into the face plate. I wonder what's going on. Thinking laterally is it a master socket , you should be able to see the BT cables at the rear of the socket. Are their any wires attached to the faceplate? Just wondering whether someone's used a master socket as an extension socket.

cn1001 · Oct 17, 2011, 22:27:04

The house is/was a new build (built in 2006). Since I have been here I have never been able to get a connection when plugged straight into the test socket. But not been an issue really until about 2 - 3 months ago when these connection issues started.

These are the Routerstats from having the router plugged into the master socket (i.e. faceplate on the test socket) - seems a lot more stable. Could it be a SkyHD box causing noise on the line when plugged into the phone line?

Steve · Oct 17, 2011, 22:31:49

It could well be the Sky box "phoning home" It has been suggested that double filtering the Sky box is sometimes worthwhile.

cn1001 · Oct 17, 2011, 22:36:42

Think I will leave the Sky box unplugged and see whether the connection becomes more reliable. The test socket is strange though as I should be able to get a connection through it.

I will give the double filter a try as well.

Thanks for your help Steve.

Steve · Oct 17, 2011, 22:37:17

NP

Rik · Oct 18, 2011, 11:15:47

Do you have extensions around the house, Craig? I'm wondering if someone's bypassed the test socket by connecting the exchange pair at the front of the master socket rather than the rear.