Do I have a bad modem or wireless router?

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AbsoluteBobby

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Mar 18, 2013
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For the past few weeks I have been losing internet connection several times a day. I have an ATT wireless modem. I disabled the WiFi on that and have my own Linksys A3500 wireless router hooked up instead. Basically what happens is the WiFi icon in my task bar will get a yellow triangle over the icon and say connected but no internet access. My other devices will also lose connection. About 5 minutes later it will come back on. Is there anyway to figure out if it is my router or modem that is bad?
 
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das_stig

das_stig

Glorious
Jul 24, 2009
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If your getting the same fault after switching the wireless provider from ATT to Netgear device, then you may just be on a congested channel.

If wireless is in 20mhz mode, then choose channel 1,6 or 11

If in 40mhz mode, choose channel 3 or 11.

This should leave channels for other users to choose from without too much congestion.
 
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boosted1g

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Jun 12, 2013
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Does your modem have logs on it?

My cable modem connection kept dropping and it was an issue on my ISPs side.

If it is dropping internet but not network connectivity I dont believe it is a wifi channel issue as that should make the whole connection go out.

If you have a wired device the easiest way to eliminate the router being an issue is to connect the modem directly to a PC and when it still dies out then it has to be an issue with the modem or equipment/cabling between your house and your ISPs main distribution center.
 
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AbsoluteBobby

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Mar 18, 2013
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Would that be the case even if when my internet disconnects both my 2.5 and 5ghz network have no internet access?
 
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boosted1g

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Jun 12, 2013
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You can have congestion on the 5ghz band but it is much less likely simply due to the fact that most users are not using it.

As I said though, try connecting directly from modem to a wired pc, that will tell you what the real issue is.
If the AT&T is a dsl you may need to configure it as a PPoE connection and input your user id and password, otherwise you should just be able to plug ethernet from modem into pc, reboot modem and be good to go (assuming you dont have a static IP set on that PC).
 
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AbsoluteBobby

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Mar 18, 2013
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OK so I was able to plug into my router while the WiFi was down. Connected via Ethernet to my ATT modem I still could not get internet access for a few minutes, and that is also when the WiFi came back on. I'm guessing this is something I have to contact ATT about and nothing I can really troubleshoot?
 
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