# Can't connect to this router via Ethernet **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 9, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309 "2018-03-09T23:27:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/1 "2018-03-09T23:27:12Z")
I got a Buffalo router with native DD-WRT firmware. I updated the firmware, and it did install, and I was able to log in and use the settings. Now, for reasons completely unknown, 3 different laptops using 2 different cable (and I know for a fact that one of the cables is good) can’t get the login page via ethernet cable. I’m just out of ideas, and Buffalo pointedly refuses to help. I’m open to any suggestions of what might be wrong. Ideas? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/2 "2018-03-09T23:29:55Z")
Are you getting an IP address? Can you Ping the router? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/3 "2018-03-09T23:38:12Z")
How are you trying to access the login page? Via a browser with something like [http://192.168.1.1](http://192.168.1.1) as the address? Do you get a login prompt? What model router is it? Which version of firmware did you update it to? ETA: normally if a router gives me very much trouble, I’ll perform a hard reset and use the defaults to login (typically obtainable via a download of the specific model’s user’s guide from the manufacturer’s website). ---
**Author:** ![cardinal\_fang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal_fang/32/15316_2.png) [@cardinal\_fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardinal_fang)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/4 "2018-03-10T00:07:47Z")
Following up on **beowulff** ’s comments. Can you get to the Internet? During your adventures with settings, did you perchance disable management access? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/5 "2018-03-10T00:53:39Z")
1. Make sure you’re connecting to the right address. Open a command prompt and do a ipconfig /all and it should tell you the gateway address. 2. Does it matter if you try https (or without it)? ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/6 "2018-03-10T19:09:42Z")
This is connected via ethernet while the computer is also able to get on the house wifi. I know the address is 198.162.11.1. I used it 3 other times. All I get is a timeout in the browser, even changing computers and cables. It’s a Buffalo WZR-300NH2. I don’t think I disabled management access. I never bothered with https one way or the other, before. I updated it either with wzr-hp-g300nh2-dd-wrt-webupgrade-MULTI.bin or buffalo\_to\_ddwrt\_webflash-MULTI.bin. I can look up how to ping a router, but I don’t have any expectations, because nothing at all happens when I use the numerical address. The light on the ethernet port doesn’t even blink. We don’t know of it being dropped or mutilated. ---
**Author:** ![pdhenry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pdhenry/32/5561_2.png) [@pdhenry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdhenry)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/7 "2018-03-10T23:29:01Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > I know the address is 198.162.11.1. Because you changed it to that? That doesn’t look like a default router gateway address (typically. 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1). > **[A List of Common Default Router IP Addresses](https://www.techspot.com/guides/287-default-router-ip-addresses/)** > > There will come a time when you need to access your router's browser interface. Though you can typically find the information by entering 'ipconfig' into the Windows... ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/8 "2018-03-10T23:36:35Z")
> [@pdhenry](#): > > Because you changed it to that? That doesn’t look like a default router gateway address (typically. 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1). > > [A List of Common Default Router IP Addresses | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/guides/287-default-router-ip-addresses/) Missed that. I hope the OP just transposed the 2 and the 8, or he’s got problems… ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/9 "2018-03-11T00:17:17Z")
I just typed it wrong here. Jeeeezt. Here it is copied from the actual browser address bar: [http://192.168.11.1/](http://192.168.11.1/) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/10 "2018-03-11T00:20:35Z")
Since we have **beowulff** here, can I just quickly piggy back on this, as I have a similar question, specifically OS X related? My desktop has an ethernet connection to the router (some Xfinity provided Motorola router/cable modem combo, which I will eventually replace with my own.) Sometimes, the computer simply doesn’t see it, so I have to switch to the wireless connection, which works fine. When I go to “System Preferences -\> Network,” the ethernet connection simply shows up as “not connected” and I can’t seem to find a way to force a connection. The cable is plugged in fine, and usually doing a reset of the computer will solve the issue. But, otherwise, if the computer isn’t seeing the ethernet connection for some reason, I can’t seem to force it. I’ve tried unplugging and replugging the cable, but the only thing I can do is either switch to the wireless connection or restart the computer. Any ideas what the problem can be? I know it’s a bit vague, but that’s as best as I can express it. ---
**Author:** ![pdhenry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pdhenry/32/5561_2.png) [@pdhenry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdhenry)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/11 "2018-03-11T00:54:34Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > [http://192.168.11.1/](http://192.168.11.1/) OK, that appears to be a valid gateway for a Buffalo router according to the site I linked. Just trying to help! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/12 "2018-03-11T01:12:33Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Since we have **beowulff** here, can I just quickly piggy back on this, as I have a similar question, specifically OS X related? > > My desktop has an ethernet connection to the router (some Xfinity provided Motorola router/cable modem combo, which I will eventually replace with my own.) Sometimes, the computer simply doesn’t see it, so I have to switch to the wireless connection, which works fine. When I go to “System Preferences -\> Network,” the ethernet connection simply shows up as “not connected” and I can’t seem to find a way to force a connection. The cable is plugged in fine, and usually doing a reset of the computer will solve the issue. But, otherwise, if the computer isn’t seeing the ethernet connection for some reason, I can’t seem to force it. I’ve tried unplugging and replugging the cable, but the only thing I can do is either switch to the wireless connection or restart the computer. > > Any ideas what the problem can be? I know it’s a bit vague, but that’s as best as I can express it. I haven’t seen this exact problem before, but it sounds like doing an SMC reset might fix it. It also might be worth a try to delete the Ethernet connection (click the ‘-‘ sign when it’s selected), and then re-adding it. How often does this happen? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/13 "2018-03-11T01:33:41Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I haven’t seen this exact problem before, but it sounds like doing an SMC reset might fix it. > It also might be worth a try to delete the Ethernet connection (click the ‘-‘ sign when it’s selected), and then re-adding it. > > How often does this happen? Oh, yeah, I’ve tried the remove and add connection to no avail in the past. As to how often it happens. I guess every few days or so? It’s hard for me to guage, as once my ethernet connection drop, I just stick it back to my wireless connection and just use it until I really need the ethernet speed again (to transfer gigs of files between this desktop and another one in the basement.) Yeah, I guess I should have also tried the usual SMC reset troubleshooting procedures. I was just wondering if there was something else obvious I may have missed. And it would help if I could figure out a consistent pattern as to when the ethernet drops – it doesn’t seem to be while I’m working at the computer, but rather after it’s been asleep. It seems like sometimes when I log in in the morning, I get the “No Internet Connection” error and then I just switch it over to the wireless and forget about it for awhile. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/14 "2018-03-21T17:43:59Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I haven’t seen this exact problem before, but it sounds like doing an SMC reset might fix it. > It also might be worth a try to delete the Ethernet connection (click the ‘-‘ sign when it’s selected), and then re-adding it. > > How often does this happen? OK, looks like I managed to go 11 days without it being a problem. When the computer woke from sleep this morning, there was no ethernet connection. Says “Status: Cable unplugged; either the cable for Ethernet1 is not plugged in or the device at the other end is not responding.” Given that my cable is plugged in, I’m guessing option 2 is the problem, though I don’t know how to force it to respond. So now I’m back onto wireless. I’ll do the SMC reset and see if that keeps the internet from going out for a longer period of time. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/15 "2018-03-21T17:49:15Z")
ETA: OK, restarted it; SMC reset, and computer seems to be back online via Ethernet. Let’s see if this lasts. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/16 "2018-03-21T18:34:34Z")
The new firmware you installed could have a bug. Or the older firmware you updated over could have had a well-known bug, **and** the drivers you’re using could have been written to work around that bug, so that your computer is expecting the buggy behaviour - and doesn’t know how to deal with the correct behaviour of the updated firmware. 🙂 If this keeps happening but it’s something that is corrected by a reboot or whatever, then you decide whether you want to mess with more things, or just keep on rebooting when it happens. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/17 "2018-04-04T16:56:41Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > ETA: OK, restarted it; SMC reset, and computer seems to be back online via Ethernet. Let’s see if this lasts. OK, there it went again today this morning. Restart fixed it. So it seems like about every two weeks when I go to wake the computer from its slumber, the ethernet disappears. Not really a big problem, since restarting always seems to solve the problem, but it’s gnawing at me not to be able to figure out what is going on. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-this-router-via-ethernet/810309/18 "2018-04-04T19:01:10Z")
I just upgraded my Buffalo WZR600 with the newest version of DD-WRT and it’s doing the same thing. My suspicion is that it’s having issues with my main router which is a Netgear but since I’m replacing that shortly we’ll see if I have any success.