Intermittent Internet Connection

RyanMcMoney · 10-21-2009, 09:03 PM

On my wireless network computers (and an Xbox 360) have been having trouble maintaining a constant stream of internet connection via a WRT54G v2 linksys router. The signal strength is strong on all computers, however connectivity is intermittent. As one could imagine, going from great to terrible connection causes massive lag in online games. I have tried multiple things to fix this including power cycling the router and modem, resetting the router to factory defaults, upgrading the firmware on the router, and calling my internet provider (Comcast) who said everything was fine, blaming the problem on my router. Help would be greatly appreciated.

**johnwill** · 10-22-2009, 07:59 AM

Try changing the router's wireless channel, something that you didn't mention in your post. I'd try channels 1, 6, or 11 first.

RyanMcMoney · 10-23-2009, 11:23 AM

I tried switching the wireless channel and it made the signal strength weaker and the connection even more unreliable, especially for the Xbox 360. I have narrowed the problem down to a router issue though because the connection between the computer and the modem is great. Its the weirdest thing, as soon as I reset the router to factory defaults or unplug and replug it, it works for a few minutes, then goes back to having a poor intermittent connection . Any thoughts?

**johnwill** · 10-23-2009, 12:21 PM

Buy a new router.

Do you have encryption enabled? Could this be a local freeloader connecting and bogging down your connection?

RyanMcMoney · 10-23-2009, 08:06 PM

Unfortunately its not a freeloader. I am getting to the point of buying a new router. I even attempted installing Tomato firmware on it (which made it a little better, but still ranging from good to poor connection). I'm just confused as to how the router could have became bricked.

**johnwill** · 10-24-2009, 10:03 AM

Hard to say, but things do fail.

10-21-2009, 09:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
RyanMcMoney Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Windows XP	Intermittent Internet Connection On my wireless network computers (and an Xbox 360) have been having trouble maintaining a constant stream of internet connection via a WRT54G v2 linksys router. The signal strength is strong on all computers, however connectivity is intermittent. As one could imagine, going from great to terrible connection causes massive lag in online games. I have tried multiple things to fix this including power cycling the router and modem, resetting the router to factory defaults, upgrading the firmware on the router, and calling my internet provider (Comcast) who said everything was fine, blaming the problem on my router. Help would be greatly appreciated.

10-22-2009, 07:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,580 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Intermittent Internet Connection Try changing the router's wireless channel, something that you didn't mention in your post. I'd try channels 1, 6, or 11 first. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-23-2009, 11:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
RyanMcMoney Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Windows XP	Re: Intermittent Internet Connection I tried switching the wireless channel and it made the signal strength weaker and the connection even more unreliable, especially for the Xbox 360. I have narrowed the problem down to a router issue though because the connection between the computer and the modem is great. Its the weirdest thing, as soon as I reset the router to factory defaults or unplug and replug it, it works for a few minutes, then goes back to having a poor intermittent connection . Any thoughts?

10-23-2009, 12:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,580 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Intermittent Internet Connection Buy a new router. Do you have encryption enabled? Could this be a local freeloader connecting and bogging down your connection? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-23-2009, 08:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
RyanMcMoney Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Windows XP	Re: Intermittent Internet Connection Unfortunately its not a freeloader. I am getting to the point of buying a new router. I even attempted installing Tomato firmware on it (which made it a little better, but still ranging from good to poor connection). I'm just confused as to how the router could have became bricked.

10-24-2009, 10:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,580 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Intermittent Internet Connection Hard to say, but things do fail. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience