Internet randomly disconnects and reconnects

[vwj]

The internet in my house randomly disconnect, but then usually it’s able to connect a few seconds later. It happens like once every 60-90 minutes. Sometimes, however, it’s not able to re-connect. When that happens, to fix the problem, I’d have to reset the router and the modem by disconnecting the power cable.

The issue affects every device connected to the network – hardline and wireless. I suspect the router is the main culprit, but it could also be the modem or the ISP. How can I determine the issue?

 

[jojesa]

If it affects all devices then is either the modem or router.
To confirm, check the lights on both modem and the router when the internet is working and then check the lights again when you get disconnected.
Pay attention to how lights are flickering or if the lights are lit or just go off.
Ideally, the internet lights should be ON solid (green in some routers), and the WiFi indicator lights should blink.
Do you have any Google devices connected to your network?

 

[vwj]

If it affects all devices then is either the modem or router.
To confirm, check the lights on both modem and the router when the internet is working and then check the lights again when you get disconnected.
Pay attention to how lights are flickering or if the lights are lit or just go off.
Ideally, the internet lights should be ON solid (green in some routers), and the WiFi indicator lights should blink.
Do you have any Google devices connected to your network?

I should pay more attention to the lights on both the modem and router when the internet is working/not working. It happens randomly, and sometimes, I hardly notice that it happens because it happens too quickly. But it does happen enough and long enough to the point where it's become an annoyance.

And, no, I do not have any Google devices on my network.

 

[jojesa]

But it does happen enough and long enough to the point where it's become an annoyance.
And, no, I do not have any Google devices on my network.

You could check activity logs of the devices (router & modem) to track activity, process failures, firewall events, connects and disconnects, etc.

 

[vwj]

But it does happen enough and long enough to the point where it's become an annoyance.
And, no, I do not have any Google devices on my network.

You could check activity logs of the devices (router & modem) to track activity, process failures, firewall events, connects and disconnects, etc.

How would I go about that?

 

[jojesa]

You could find logs by accessing the devices web interface.
If you don't see the logs or status links on the web interface main screen then check your devices user guide to find the logs specific location.
You could post the model and we might be able to help.

 

[markjarbour]

I would start by connecting direct to your modem if possible rather than through the router, if it works then its your router. if it still disconnects , you know the problem originates from your modem. You could always go the manufacture website make sure your ROuter firmware is Up to date, as ISP's sometimes make changes to the way service is rendered to your or maybe change in protocols due to performance , security . or anything els of the type. after Firmware update and it sitll happpends contact your ISP , this might be a problem for them as they probably own the modem and can service is and also check it from theire end.

Hope the info is relevant or useful to you.

Thx

 

[vwj]

My modem model is Cisco dpc3208. Router model is Linksys E2500.

Over the weekend, our network did its usual thing and disconnected and wouldn't reconnect. I disconnected and reconnected the router power cable, but that didn't work -- internet was still out. I was also able to ping the router successfully.

Next, I examined the lights on the modem, and noticed that the orange light under the "link" label flickered a few times then goes solid...it flickered a few times then goes solid. It just loops like this until I unplug and plug the power cord for our network to work again. Under working conditions, this orange light just flickers.

I'm starting to believe it's the modem that's the problem.

 

[jojesa]

It could be a faulty modem or it could be that there is work happening (upgrades, cable replacements, etc) around your area which could be very annoying because they seldom disclose it.

 

[markjarbour]

If you follow my steps above you will be able to determine if its modem or Router 100% , or at least let you know if the problem begins at the modem or the router. Plug direct to Modem for testing .. if PC stays connected , you know your issue begins at the router at least. I would Start with 1 devices adding until you find the culprit. its always the way we go when we diagnose networking problems ... start simple then keep adding until the problem happens ..

 

[vwj]

It could be a faulty modem or it could be that there is work happening (upgrades, cable replacements, etc) around your area which could be very annoying because they seldom disclose it.

My problem has been going on for a while, so I highly doubt my ISP is doing any upgrade. This is something I've been putting off a while to fix. When I go over to my friends house who lives about 5 miles away, I/they never experience disconnects.

If you follow my steps above you will be able to determine if its modem or Router 100% , or at least let you know if the problem begins at the modem or the router. Plug direct to Modem for testing .. if PC stays connected , you know your issue begins at the router at least. I would Start with 1 devices adding until you find the culprit. its always the way we go when we diagnose networking problems ... start simple then keep adding until the problem happens ..

I'm assuming you mean plug directly to the modem when issue is happening? Otherwise, other people in the house that use wireless wouldn't be too happy.

 

[jojesa]

It is hard to believe but I had a similar issue that lasted almost 3 months. I called many times.
I had several techs come over and every time they arrived the service was running 100%. They thought I was messing with them.
They even sent a supervisor, who waited over an hour and when he was about to get into his vehicle I loss internet service. I call him back and he saw the modem with just the power light on.
He went back outside and around the corner where all the cables met in a box.
There were squirrels walking on a cable with a flimsy connection. Every time squirrels pass by I will drop the connection and then I had to reboot the modem to reconnect. That day the issues was fixed.

 

[vwj]

My issue has lasted well over two years, if not longer. Like I said, it's been an annoyance that I've just lived with. My wireless devices are especially sensitive: the wifi connection drops right away when the network hiccups. I've just gotten back to online gaming recently, and it's very frustrating when I get kicked-out because I lost connection. Seems like it's getting worse, or maybe it's because I've just been keeping a closer eye on it these last few weeks.

I'm not entirely ruling out other culprits, but for now, I think I'll focus on the modem.

 

[jojesa]

My issue has lasted well over two years, if not longer. Like I said, it's been an annoyance that I've just lived with. My wireless devices are especially sensitive: the wifi connection drops right away when the network hiccups. I've just gotten back to online gaming recently, and it's very frustrating when I get kicked-out because I lost connection. Seems like it's getting worse, or maybe it's because I've just been keeping a closer eye on it these last few weeks.

I'm not entirely ruling out other culprits, but for now, I think I'll focus on the modem.

Oh noooo...that long... I would have gone nuts!
Have you contacted your service provider?
They could run a 24 hour line quality test (latency, jitter (ping) packet loss, and overall quality) from their end. They will be able to find out where the problem originates.