Problems with Netgear WNR3500L

[mrcaffeinex]

I set up a Netgear WNR3500L Wireless-N Gigabit Router a week ago to replace a D-Link that had died. I logged into the router's control panel and changed the administrative password, then proceeded to set up WPA2-PSK security. My computers connected, prompted me for the password and I was back online within minutes of setting up the unit.

After a few days the Router stopped broadcasting its SSID, but my computers were still able to connect to it automatically. After another day like this, none of my computers were able to connect. I powered down the DSL modem and Router, unplugged both, waited a few minutes, then plugged them back in. The indicator light on the router showed that it was broadcasting a wireless signal, but still none of my computers were able to connect to it and the SSID was still not broadcasting. I hardwired one computer to the router, logged into the control panel and checked all the settings, which seemed to be in order. SSID was set to broadcast and the WPA2-PSK security code remained the same as I had set. I was also able to access the internet through the router with the computer that was hardwired to it.

I reset the router back to the factory defaults using the reset button on the back and I was able to connect to it with the hardwired computer and wirelessly. I then changed the administrative password to a new password and reset the WPA2-PSK security code to a new code. My computers prompted me for the new security code and I was able to connect them again.

I am running the updated Netgear firmware. I have the desktop in my signature, the notebook in my signature and random other computers (Father-in-Law's notebook, Brother-in-Law's notebook, etc.) connected at any given time wirelessly.

Should I plan on having to reprogram the router again in a few days? After disappointing experiences with D-Link and Linksys I was told that the Netgear would be a worthwhile upgrade. It was also more expensive than the previous two, though I wonder if 'paying for quality' even works anymore...

-MrCaffeineX

 

[JackMDS]

I wonder if 'paying for quality' even works anymore...

-MrCaffeineX

In the End-User retail market there is No quality Work. There is only peaces of plastic made in the Far East, designed and sold by Psychosomatic marketing. People.

You know the one that print on the data sheet that the 802.11g does 300 feet indoor and the draft would do x10 more.

The masses instead of controlling the Market by thier Buying Power are only interested in Celebs life and childish conspiracy theory.

It is Not valid at least a decade.

While in the 802.11g Arena few Router emerge after a time as a sure bet .

It never happened in the Draf2 market.

And it probably never would, until a Rigorous new standard that make technological sense will emerge.

 

[country2]

I have the 3500 but not the 3500l but basically the same and have not had this issue.Could it be a signal strength issue or a spurratic (sp?) interference blocking it? Could try asking on the Netgear forum or se if anyone there is having this issue...

 

[bfdd]

Honestly I've had nothing but problems with my WNR2000v2 I purchased. I get CONSTANT internet connectivity problems. I'm constantly having to release/renew on my main PC every couple of minutes, I can't keep a connection very long on it. I purchased it because the wireless on my old linksys died off and I didn't want to run a wire to my 360, but I have to now ANYWAYS with this piece of shit because the wireless and wired networks are different. Seriously this pisses me off to no end and I'll never be buying another Netgear product again.

 

[mrcaffeinex]

I had connectivity issues like that with my old Linksys routers. I had a WRT54G that was down more than it was up, so I tried a WRT160N (not 100% sure about the model number), which was slightly better, but still experienced a lot of random connection drops/resets, especially when connecting the PS3 wirelessly.

Eventually I gave up on both, but did manage to recycle one of them. Thanks to DD-WRT firmware I was able to get the 54G working for my mom. Since she only has one computer, no Macs, iPods, PS3s, 360s, etc. it works fine.

I eventually got the D-Link, but I don't remember the model number. I think I got it at CompUSA before they went out of business. It lasted for a few years, which I guess is excellent in today's non-quality world.

I've got the rest of the 30 days to try out this Netgear and see how it holds up. So far I'm not impressed.

 

[bfdd]

seriously I'll never buy another netgear product again, never. this thing has been nothing but a hassle for me and the only tip i was given that could MAYBE fix my problem was to disable the DHCP on the router and set static ips to all my devices... yeah fuck that.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I realize that there is a lot of Netgear hate in this thread, but for a different perspective: I purchased four Netgear WRN834Bv2 routers as refurbs, and so far I've flashed two of them to DD-WRT, and have been using them as a WDS pair, and not a hiccup for months and months. Unforunately, they only sync up at 65Mbit/sec, which is not enough for HD streaming, but they are stable.

 

[mrcaffeinex]

It did it again this morning. No SSID broadcast, no wireless connectivity, but the hardwired PC was still connected and working fine. I'm not sure if it was due to the firmware update or just that I failed to notice the last time it crashed, however this time I was able to go into the advanced wireless settings tab and disable the radio. After re-enabling the radio, my wireless PCs picked up the SSID and re-connected automatically.

When these routers automatically pick a broadcast channel, are they able to switch without disabling/re-enabling the radio? If the problem is being caused by intermittent interference as country2 suggested, cycling the radio off and on again forces it to pick a new channel? It is not the end of the world if I have to do that every few days...

I also have the option of going with the DD-WRT firmware instead of Netgear's since I checked compatibility before purchasing the router. Does anyone have one of these running the DD-WRT firmware that can warn me about any possible complications before I flash it?

 

[S0lidburn]

DD-WRT on both of my Netgears, 8 port router/VPN/Firewall and wireless hardwired to the afore mentioned and placed out in the middle of the house. No issues at all....I actually forget what I have exactly for the wireless one, thats how much I have had to mess with it in 18 months....

 

[Modelworks]

The problem you are having isn't unique to netgear. If you are buying a router for wireless purposes and do not see external antennas or places to mount external antennas then do not buy it. All the ones without external antennas have internal pc board antennas. Basically little copper traces on the circuit board in different spots to work as antenna. These work fine in optimum conditions, but noisy signals, thick walls, etc they do not work well.

You can return the router or hack it. The hack is on the DD-WRT site for adding external antennas to internal only routers. It involves soldering a wire to the inside , drilling a hole in the case, adding a jack and then whatever antenna you want.

I have WNR3300 and the board inside is one of the best engineering designs I have ever seen in my 20+ years in electronics, I actually went through netgear to get the designers names so I could let them know how nice it was to see some quality work on a consumer device today. So the hardware is quality and the firmware works, it is just the design is not optimal for wireless.