6 Ways to Fix Router Not Working Issues

A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. It is usually connected to two or more data lines from different IP networks. The most familiar type of IP routers are home and small office routers that simply forward IP packets between the home computers and the Internet.

Sometimes, you may encounter router not working issue. The symptoms of this issue include no WiFi signal, WiFi network disappearing, devices not connecting to WiFi, slow Internet, connections dropping randomly, etc.

The reasons of these issues may be various. But you can try the following ways to troubleshoot the router issues.

Fix 1. Reboot the Router

Rebooting the router is the most common way to solve WiFi issues. You just need to unplug your router’s power cable, wait a few seconds, and then plug it back in. Sometimes, you may also need to unplug your modem’s power cable and plug it back in after a few seconds.

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Fix 2. Check the Cable Connection

Sometimes, the WiFi router not working issue is just caused by loose cable connection. You should make sure each cable is connected well. For example, the power cables to your router and modem, the cable between your router and modem, the cable between the modem and the wall socket, and each Ethernet cable plugged into the back of the router.

If possible, you can unplug these cables and then re-pug them. If the loose cable connection is caused by plug damage, you should get it repaired.

Fix 3. Reposition the Router

Wi-Fi is radio waves and it broadcasts in all directions from a central location. When you place the router, you should pay attention to the following factors:

• Do not place the router in a far corner of your house. Otherwise, it will cover a great deal of the outside world unnecessarily.
• Ensure nothing is blocking the wireless signal, particularly large metal objects or devices that can interfere, like microwaves and some types of cordless phones.
• Ensure the router’s antenna is positioned vertically rather than horizontally. A vertical antenna will give you the largest coverage area.
• Ensure the device needing Internet is in the area covered by the WiFi radio waves.

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Fix 4. Check the Vents

Like any other electronic device, overheating will damage the router, making it unstable or slow. Therefore, you should make sure the vents are not blocked and the router has enough airflow. If the router is overheating now, please shut down it and wait for the router to cool down.

Fix 5. Change the Wireless Channel

Sometimes, the router not working issue is caused by interference from other wireless routers sending signals on the same wireless frequency. If you are in an apartment building or other locations where there are a lot of wireless routers nearby, this situation is likely to happen.

In this case, you can use tools like NirSoft WifiInfoView to change the wireless channel on your router to a better one.

Fix 6. Reset the Router

If the above methods don’t work, you can try resetting router to its factory default settings. Please press the Reset pinhole button on the back of the router for several seconds until the LED lights begin flashing.

Once reset, you can log into the web interface and set it up from scratch. Just be careful not to enable the same setting that caused the problem in the first place.

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