# Why is my router acting up? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 27, 2005, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130 "2005-02-27T06:05:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130/1 "2005-02-27T06:05:10Z")
Every once in a while my internet connection goes out and I have to un-plug then re-plug my router to get it working again. I had the same trouble with a previous router. Why is this happening and is there any way to stop it? I was once told that it has something to do with the router going out of sync with the cable modem. Is it true, what does it mean? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130/2 "2005-02-27T12:34:22Z")
What kind of router? ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130/3 "2005-02-27T17:51:13Z")
SOrry that I did not say that it is a Netgear Websafe router rp614 V2. ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130/4 "2005-02-27T18:07:00Z")
Wow, mere moments ago I had the exact same problem as the OP, which I also solved by resetting the router. I too am curious about this. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130/5 "2005-02-27T18:29:39Z")
I just unplug the router and my DSL modem (unplug, not just turn off) for a minute or two, then plug back in. Solves most of the weird problems they get from time to time, ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130/6 "2005-02-27T23:38:43Z")
How long is your DHCP lease time? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130/7 "2005-02-28T18:31:57Z")
I’ve always jokingly assumed that the equipment has gotten tired and wants a nap. I’ve got static IP on my DSL and from time to time, the DSL router loses the ability to bridge traffic. (it’s still pingable from the outside) More realistically, I’d be quite willing to believe that this is simply because this is all residential-grade gear rather than commercial-grade stuff that’s expected to run flawlessly 24x7 for its years-long lifespan. I have noticed that these things need to be kept cool - stacking the things is not a good idea. Also, DSL modems don’t seem to like being close to wireless routers. Once I separated my router and modem by about three feet, the time between lockups dropped down to about once every other week, rather than close to daily. ---
**Author:** ![archmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@archmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archmichael)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-router-acting-up/292130/8 "2005-02-28T18:41:03Z")
Are you running bittorrent? I found that all the connections were overloading my router.