Do I need a new router?

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nms71

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Feb 25, 2013
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Hi,
I just upgraded to a SB6141 Docsis 3.0 modem. I called my provider Cox to have them add the modem and provision my account. I am having a dilemma and don't know if I need to upgrade my router which is a Linksys E900 (2012 model). Directly connected to the modem I am getting 59.77mps down and 6.58mbs up. Then if I connect to the router speeds are awful 12.58mbs down and 6.78 up. Cox instructed me to call Linksys to figure out what is going on. Called Linksys and my router is out of warranty and they gave me a few options to reset and reconfigure the settings that would cost $29 second option I forgot it was 39$ the third option is to get a new router a dual band AC router. The rep said it would be optimized for the speed I have and would probably be the best bet as she believes the one I have now would not be able to handle the speed??? I don't know if they are just saying that to get me to buy a new router or what. Has anyone had to upgrade their router once they changed to the new modems? If I do have to get a new router any suggestions of what would be compatible and cost effective. The one they are trying to get me to buy is $100 really don't want to spend that if I don't have to. Thx
 
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That router isn't old, it should still be good to go. You should start by resetting the router. First begin by unplugging the router from the outlet. Hold down the reset switch on the back of the router for 10 seconds. Plug it back in.

You should also make sure that the cable from the modem to the router and from the router to the modem are good enough. You can find this out by looking at your new modem. The link symbol (looks like a heartbeat, is last symbol near bottom on front) should be blue to indicate a high speed connection. Make sure to take the cable that's hooked up to your PC and use it to connect your modem and router together as well. This is to ensure both cables are able to handle high speed connections.

Let's say that there is an issue with the router's speed, you still wouldn't need a new router. The best option would be to purchase a switch. This way you can run the router as a dedicated Access point while the switch would handle your PC and other Ethernet based devices.
 
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Hey thanks for writing back.

I forgot to mention I have a desktop that I am connecting via wi-fi with a mini Usb adapter. Don't know if that is causing the speed issues or not. I did what you said above unplugged the router and reset it. I did a direct connect to the pc and the heartbeat was a blue. Then I reset again and connected through the router and with 3 cables the heartbeat was amber colored.
 
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If you are doing wireless those speeds aren't terrible. I don't know which adapter you are using but usually you want as little in between the receiver and the router as possible. If it's a usb stick adapter, you can always use a usb extender cable to place the adapter someone that is free of clutter or closer to the router. Metal is pretty good at blocking wireless signals.

Make sure that the same goes for the router as well. It shouldn't be too close to any wall, fabric or metal. I would say a half foot clearance is good enough. Other than that, that's all you can do short of upgrading equipment.
 
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I keep a couple of these lying around and they work very well:

http://www.amazon.com/Panda-300Mbps-Wireless-N-Adapter-button/dp/B00EQT0YK2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416752895&sr=8-1&keywords=panda+n300

If you think it could be a router issue and just need the most basic router functions, then just keep it simple. You do not need wireless AC at all. That was a sales pitch. You would have to upgrade all of your wireless adapters to AC as well and it sounds like that's not something you'd like to do at this point. Right now, my feeling is that this is the best bang for your buck non-AC router out there:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704144&cm_re=tp_link_wndr3600-_-33-704-144-_-Product

Even this would work on a really tight budget:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704039&cm_re=tp_link_wndr3600-_-33-704-144-_-Product
 
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I am thinking at this point it's not the router. I did a test on my wi-fi (router connected) with my iPhone and I got back 40mbs down then I did a test on my xbox one I got 30mbs down. When I tested the PC with the wireless wi-fi adapter I am getting 12mbs with those other devices turned off and on that speed was consistent. So maybe this wi-fi adapter is junk. I understand I will not get the speeds 60mbs connecting through wifi and I am good with speeds I am getting on other devices just not happy with pc's speed. Reading the box on the wireless wifi card it says it's an 802.11b/g/n 150mbs. Maybe this adapter can't handle the speed and its bottle necking the speed?? I think cheapest way to rule this out is to get a better usb wi-fi adapter. Linksys just wants to make money and will say anything for me to buy another product. Thanks SmitBret for those links I will be taking a look at them. =) Ohh one more question would I get a better connection if I installed a PCI wi-fi card into the computer vs the USB wi-fi adapter. Thanks all you ROCK!!!
 
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