Wireless connection disconnects every ~10min

[exfuga]

I have a Comcast Cable Modem - I am connected right now to a Linksys router and I am trying to figure out why I cannot stay connected to the internet without it disconnecting for a short time every 10 minutes.

To determine exactly what happens I tried uploading a large file via FTP, and I observed the transfer speed as the connection disconnects - so it's going full speed, then all of a sudden it goes down slower and slower, until it's transfering at 0KB/s, and it'll stay at that speed for about 10-20 seconds, then as the connection comes back, the transfer speed goes faster, and faster, and then back to normal speed.

This really sucks when I am uploading to my shoutcast radio server, because I cannot upload for longer than... roughly 10 minutes.

I am going to test if the internet connection keeps disconnecting on my brother's computer, which is directly connected to the router, not wirelessely like mine. So, until then, if anyone knows what could possibly be causing this, or what I can do to fix this, please reply!

 

[keeleysam]

See if your phones are 2.4GHz.

 

[exfuga]

Some of the phones in my house are 2.4GHz.

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: exfuga
Some of the phones in my house are 2.4GHz.

Disconnect those from power and report what happens.

 

[exfuga]

I have had 2.4GHz phones longer than this problem has existed.

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: exfuga
I have had 2.4GHz phones longer than this problem has existed.

I still belive you should test it.

 

[spidey07]

Unfortunately interferrence and flaky behavior go hand in hand with wireless.

Its normally caused by other devices in the same radio frequency. Try changing channels on the AP to 1, 6, 11

 

[JackMDS]

1. Electrical hardware as it ages generates more interference.

2. Interference might come and go a unit that did not interfere before can shift Harmonics and start to interfere. A close by neighbor with wireless equipment can contribute to the problem as well.

The first step is to isolate the problem.

Put the Wireless source and the Client in the same room within 3? one from the other with the Antenna looking ?eye to eye?. If it keeps dropping than it is probably not interference and you need to go carefully over all Network/wireless settings.

If it stable then you have to start to work on increasing the signal strength that reaches the original location of the hardware.

Link to: What the Signal Strength Bars mean in Wireless hardware?

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.

Link to: Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point

Link to: Wirelessly Bridging Home / Network.

Link to: Hi Gain Antenna for Entry Level Wireless.


It worked before is a very a Wishful thinking excuse, when something is not currently working.

Any 2.4 GHz device affect the Wireless, there is always harmonics and electrical noise that is generated by all transmitting devices.

In most cases when people say that other devices transmitting in the same or close range are Not affecting their Wireless, it means.

1. I am not knowledgeable enough in Electronics to understand the impact of Transmitting devices

2. I can not measure the impact of the noise.

3. My Wireless works OK for me so as as far as I am concern there is No noise generated by other devices.

Most of the time the level of the noise allows functional use of the Wireless Devices.

However, some time the negative affect can be very strong and disabled, or vastly reduce the Wireless Capacity.

It might be generated from devices that by themselves are doing what they suppose to do, but were not designed carefully and thus generate a lot of noise that interfere with the Wireless.

Environmental factor (like changing the position or adding furniture) might impact on the noise interaction as well.

:sun:

 

[Kelemvor]

Also check your wireless settings on the PC and make sur eyou don't have conflicting settings. We have people all the time at work that get two sets of settings for our network. One will have the right encryption code and one will not. The computer doesn't know which to use and jsut keeps flipping back and forth which makes it go on then off then on....

And I'd also try changing the channel the router uses as well.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

my linksys used to overheat, especially once i turned up the mw for the wireless signal. try feeling it and seeing if its hot when it disconnects. if it is then just run a cool fan on it.

 

[exfuga]

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions - I will try each of the solutions you brought up.

 

[Rottie]

i don't believe linksys would cause overheat. if it is my linksys would have disconnected at times but it is not.

 

[exfuga]

I tested to see if this problem exists on my brother's computer - which is connected directly to the linksys - and it exists on his computer as well. So, could this be a problem I'll have to talk to my ISP about?

 

[JackMDS]

You have to try connecting one computer directly to the Modem, if it keeps doing the same it is an ISP issue.

If it happens only with the Router then it is a Router BAD/Mis-configured issue.

Or might be authentication: How to Fix Cable/DSL Internet authentication (password).

:sun: