Difference between revisions of "Router and Wireless Troubleshooting"

Latest revision as of 14:33, 20 July 2022

Please Note:

• This page contains general information that applies to most routers manufactured after 2016.
• Your interaction may differ from manufacture and your home configuration and placement of the Router.

Choosing the correct Router

Router models are as diverse as the homes, apartments, and offices in which they reside. For most situations our recommended routers in the section below will be ideal, though a four-story home may need something more robust than a one-bedroom apartment or small office, so asking the following questions will help you determine which router model will best suit your needs.

1. Do I need a router or a switch, or neither?

• The UTOPIA fiber gateway delivers your connection over a single Ethernet port, typically GE1 or LAN1 though the number may vary depending on your setup. To split this connection up to more than one device you will need to purchase a router. Most routers will provide your wireless network as well as multiple Ethernet ports to which you can connect other devices.
• A network switch can split the connection from the router up to even more devices. If you need more Ethernet connections than your router provides, you can add a network switch. NOTE: The router must always come 'first,' with the switch then plugged into the router. Plugging a switch directly into the UTOPIA gateway will not properly split your connection and may cause loopback problems.

2. What speed is my connection?

• While most gigabit routers will provide more than enough bandwidth over an Ethernet connection to your devices that use a wired connection, the strength of the WiFi signal varies from model to model, as does the number of wireless antennae.
• Devices that connect over wired Ethernet will have the fastest most reliable connection. Using Ethernet wherever possible frees up your WiFi network to feed the devices which do not have Ethernet ports.
• How many devices will be using WiFi? How many will be using wired Ethernet? Will I need extreme wireless coverage or will moderate be enough for my smart phones and tablets?
• Most major manufacturers are comparable, deciding on which model and price-tier of router will be the greater determining factor in router performance.

3. Where should I install the router?

• WiFi signals come up from your router in the shape of an ice-cream cone, so placing it at the bottom of your desired coverage area is preferable.
• Interference can affect WiFi performance, keep the router as far away from other electronic devices as possible.

Recommended Routers

General Troubleshooting

Try from Multiple Computers

It is entirely possible that the problem you are encountering is an issue local to the computer or device you are using. Try using something else to see if multiple devices and computers are experiencing the same issue with your network.

Is Your Router Getting Power?

Most of the time a reboot can often resolve:

• Network issues
• Poor website connections
• Slow speeds
• Dropped connections

Doing an occasional reboot keeps the router acting like new. The reboot process is simple:

1. Unplug your router’s power cable.
2. Wait 60 seconds then plug the power back in.

Note: Rebooting your router more than 2-4 times a month could indicate a firmware update is required. See information below regarding firmware upgrades.

Verify Your Cables Are Correctly Secured

Often, a pet or household member can accidentally pull on or kick out a cable. Loose or damaged cables can cause issues with your router.

To troubleshoot this:

1. Check all of the cables and ensure they are securely connected.
2. Check the power cables as well. Loose plugs at the wall can create power surges that can damage your router.
3. Check to make sure each end of the Ethernet cable is securely connected. If you are unsure, unplug the Ethernet cable and plug it back in. You should hear a click sound when plugged in correctly.

Re-position the Router

1. Avoid enclosed spaces
   • Your router creates a frequency around itself that if you could see it, would look like a doughnut emitting from the antenna. With this in mind, keep it out of places that are closed off and remote from where you plan to use your WiFi. The more open, the better!
2. Keep it out of the kitchen
   • Your router creates a frequency that is shared with many other devices, like your microwave. Keep the two away from each other to prevent them from fighting with each other for dominance.
3. Move your router to a central location
   • Keep your router away from exterior walls, and basements. If you plan on using your WiFi in the center of your home, your router being on the opposite side of the house will do little to help increase it's performance.
4. Be aware of your homes construction
   • Metal / Load bearing walls / Concrete / Plumbing
   • Like enclosed spaces, your Router will have a hard time penetrating through thick objects. Some of the most common problems are what is behind your walls, out of your sight. Ventilation shafts and plumbing can prevent the frequency from passing through and into your device.
5. Use your antennas to your advantage
   • Your Router emits a mesh of information that radiates outwards from the antenna(s). It would look like a large cloud-like doughnut, with a hole in the top and bottom, where the tip and base of the antenna is. Since most new routers have multiple antennas, move them and arrange them to create a larger area of impact to cover your home more thoroughly.

Check for Overheating

Electronic devices, including routers, can overheat. Overheating can cause damage to the hardware, slowing your Internet connection.

Check your router’s temperature. If it seems very hot to the touch, ensure:

• There is airflow allowing it to keep cool.
• The routers vents are not blocked or covered.
• The router is not located around a heated surface (hidden behind a TV).

Reconfigure your WiFi to use a different channel

If your router is located around a lot of other nearby wireless connections (like inside an apartment building), you may be getting interference from your neighbors.

To change your wireless channel:

1. Use the Wi-Fi Analyzer App to find a less used Wi-Fi channel in your home.
2. Change the wireless channel in your router’s interface to the suggested channel from the analyzer.

Also note some routers have built in analyzer that can be used as well.

Check for a Firmware Update

CAUTION: If you do not know how to do this, please refer to your router manual before proceeding. 
Flashing a firmware incorrectly can damage your router and cause it to be inoperable. 

Your router may still be on the factory default firmware version that it was purchased with. Manufacturers tend to release updates to their routers to increase security, and resolve potential service problems. Upgrading your firmware is a great idea to try when troubleshooting your wireless, or any other router related problems.

To Check and Upgrade your Firmware:

• Login to your Routers Administration Webpage. Some routers will require you to use a URL like, http://routerlogin.net or a smartphone App. Others tends to be 192.168.1.1 or sometimes 192.168.0.1. The username and password can be found on the sticker under your router, or in the guide it came with. If you cannot obtain it either way, look online for your specific routers default login information.

• Find your routers Firmware settings. This tends to be in the Administration section of the ADVANCED menu.

• Your Router should have notes on this page detailing steps to go about searching for a new firmware version. If you have an internet connection, you may also have a "Check" button that will allow the router to lookup the newest firmware version and help install it.
• If you do not have any help notes on how to proceed with a firmware upgrade, go to the support section of your router manufacturers website, and find your specific router. Then under the support options, you should find files for new firmware files.
• Double check to see if your version is lower/older, and not the same as the current version available. If it is not, download the file.
• If you have the firmware file downloaded, using the same router administration firmware upgrade page, use the "Choose File" to upload the new firmware file to the router. Once you have the new file selected, proceed by clicking "Upload" or "Next".

• Wait for the process to complete, and test out your new firmware for your router to see if your issues have been resolved.

Reset to Factory Defaults

Features built into the router could also be slowing you down. By default, any feature that can monitor or slow your connection is disabled. To ensure something wasn’t enabled by mistake, you can do a factory reset on your router. We recommend using this step as a last resort.

A factory reset will require a reconfiguration of your router (like you did back when you first got it). It will include setting up your wireless network name and passphrase again.

Note: You can use the same network name and passphrase. It doesn’t require a custom one each time you decide to do a reset.

To factory reset(Refer to your router manual or online instructions) :

1. Locate the reset button, usually a small pinhole, on the back of your router.
2. Using a paperclip or something similar, you’ll insert the end into the reset hole and hold for about 30 seconds.
3. Normally, you will see the lights on your router flash or go out. This is an indication that you have successfully reset your router.

There are countless other issues that would make your router not operate correctly. Outside of the listed steps above, it is possible that your computer may have related problems where additional troubleshooting is needed. Contact a trusted computer technician to help determine if there are hardware or software issues playing a part in your troubles.

Some routers will give you the option from inside the admin panel, while others will have a physical button that needs to be pressed. For this example, it can be found under System tools then Factory Defaults.

Connection Types

DHCP - Dynamic IP

Customers that haven't requested a static IP or purchased a subnet will use this connection type.

• Many routers' configuration wizards will be able to detect this and connect automatically
• Sometimes referred to as 'dynamic' or 'automatic'

DHCP - Static IP or Subnet

Customers that have requested DHCP for static IPs or purchased subnets will use this connection type.

• Routes the static IP or subnet using the MAC address of the customer's device
• Select type 'DHCP' 'dynamic' or 'automatic'
• The static IP or subnet will only be routed if the MAC address on the device matches the MAC address in our configuration file, when connecting a new device please reach out to our support team so that we can update the MAC address and ensure the static routes are maintained

PPPoE - Dynamic IP, Static IP, or Subnet

Customers who have requested a static IP address or have purchased a subnet will use this connection type unless they have requested otherwise. Some customers may choose to use PPPoE if their router performs better with it over DHCP.

• Username and password are required
• If you aren't sure of your login credentials, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support department

General Configuration Instructions

The following instructions should help you get started installing with router models. Please refer to the router manual (via the links below, or via the manufacturer's website) for specific instructions if needed, and do not hesitate to reach out to our support department, any time 24/7 if you have any questions regarding your home network configuration.

1. Identify the UTOPIA gateway, it is important to distinguish between the fiber gateway and your wireless router. The gateway is the device UTOPIA installed, which will typically be one of three brands, either Zhone, Allied Telesyn, or Telco. This device should remain powered at all times, it is not meant to be cycled unless an XMission or UTOPIA technician specifically requests power be dropped to it. On this device there should be a number of ethernet ports. By default your internet service will be coming over port 1 (GE1, LAN1, etc.), but this is not always the case so if you're unsure please check with our support department. The UTOPIA field technicians will typically leave an ethernet cable coming from the appropriate port after installation. NOTE: Only one port will be provisioned for your service, plugging devices into the other empty ports will not provide service.

• If you do not have access to the UTOPIA gateway, for example if you're part of an HOA and you do not have access to the utility closet in which it's installed, please treat any reference to the UTOPIA gateway as a reference to the ethernet port feeding your domicile.

2. Take an ethernet cable (CAT5e, CAT6, or CAT7 preferred, CAT5 is limited to 100 M max and may slow your connection down) and plug one end into GE1/LAN1 on the UTOPIA gateway, and the other end into the port labelled 'Internet'/'WAN' on your router. Typically this port will be colored yellow.

3. To configure and maintain your router, you will need to access its configuration page via an internet browser. This can be accomplished by plugging an ethernet cable from your computer to one of the LAN ports on your router, or by joining the default wireless network. If you opt to configure the router via WiFi, you'll need to join the default wireless network. The network name (SSID) and default passphrase should be written on the label on the router itself, the box it came in, or the instructions included.

• Some routers support configuration via mobile app for smartphones and tablets, check with your router's manual or website for more information

4. Once your computer is connected to the router via an ethernet cable, or is connected to the router's wireless network, open an internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge...) and type the router's address into the address bar and hit enter. Check your router's manual or the instructions below for the router's address. The vast majority of models use http://192.168.0.1

5. Most routers protect their configuration with an administrative username and password, check your router's manual or the instructions below for the default administrative username and password. The vast majority of models use

U: admin P: admin or U: admin P: password

6. Once you're logged into the configuration, many routers will have an automatic setup wizard which will guide you through the rest of the process. The main things you'll need to know moving forward are:

• Your connection type

• If that connection type is DHCP or automatic, many routers will detect that connection type and connect automatically

• If that connection type is PPPoE, you'll need to know your XMission username and password, and provide them if asked 'Does your ISP require a login?'

• If you must provide an ISP type, select 'other'