Why is my Linksys router so moody, and what do I do about it?

Question

I have a Linksys Wireless G router (version 5 or 6...I can't remember). I've had the router for about 2 years now, and I have a network set up and the firmware updated. Whenever there is a storm or the power goes out, or just because it's in a bad mood, I have to go in and reset the router and set up a network all over again before I can get back on the internet. It is getting very frustrating to do on a regular basis, and customer service just tells me to do the same things I already know how to do myself.

What do I do to fix it so I won't keep having to reset the router regularly?

Answer 1

All I can say is that 2 years ago I setup a Linksys router and it kept resetting itself every two weeks or so and I couldn't cure it, was tearing my hair out as I had to re-configure all the time and I was making wireless as complex as possible with a MAC control list and so on.  

In the end we marched it back to the store and swapped for some Netear kit that sits there without anyone having to touch it.  I'm NOT saying that Linksys is bad, Netgear good, but you're not alone and it might be something with the models from that time period.

There may very well be updated firmware available from the Linksys website and I suggest you keep the router cool with air flow around it as I was convinced we had a heat issue behind our problem.

Hope it works out.

Answer 2

It sounds like you may have a linux based router.  Try a third party firmware.  It fixed my problems.

Google the following to learn more

router third party firmware

dd-wrt firmware

tomato firmware

See if your router is compatible.  Do some reading.  These 3rd party firmwares give you tons of new options.  The one I like is the power of the router signal.  The power of the wireless signal can be set between 1 and 251.  Almost all routers are set at 23.  I used to only get a 'good' signal with three bars.  Now I get an 'excellent' signal all the way down the street.  And my router is just set at 82.  It is not recommended to go over 82 as it may overheat the router and shorten its lifespan.

Good Luck

Answer 3

You claim that you can't get the wireless router to work again unless you completely reset it?  

Sounds like a bad router that needs replacing. -- Especially if you have talked to Linksys already.

If you didn't have a surge surpressor power strip when the storm hit/power was lost, it may have gotten a power surge when electricity was restored which partially damaged some of the internal components.  -- Make sure your router is on a surge supressor if it isn't already. -- maybe too late for this router.

A bad firmware upgrade might do this.. try flashing it BACK to the original firmware IF that is possible.  Some firmware update programs don't allow downgrading. -- Talk to Linksys support about this option.

Maybe it is a conflicting setting somewhere.

Try resetting it back to factory default (generic password, no security, etc) and see if it behaves better for a while.  THEN slowly add settings back in and see if it suddenly starts failing when you enable a certain setting.

If you are using Wireless.. try plugging into the Wired ports on the back.. see if the issues go away when you are directly plugged in. This might signal an issue with the wireless chipsets within the router.

See if a friend or family member has a laptop and can come over and test it with their laptop.  (or take your router to their house, if that's easier) This will eliminate the issue being on your computer.

Personally.. I'd recommend getting a new Router.

My personal perference is D-Link

Answer 4

Have you tried simply unplugging the power from the router for 15 seconds and plugging it back in instead of pressing and holding the "reset button"?

This will reboot the router, but keep all your setup information intact.

V5 or 6 makes a difference... one is compatible with the dd-wrt firmware, and the other is problematic.  You might take a look at http://www.dd-wrt.com and see if your exact router model is supported.  (You will need the "micro" version of the firmware.)  

The dd-wrt firmware is a linux-based free firmware project that can replace the linksys firmware on the router.  It tends to be much more stable and higher performance than the linksys/cisco firmware.

Answer 5

Thornhill...