LAN connection randomly dropping out

[Martin_54]

Hi,

I've been having an issue for close to a month now. My internet connection keeps randomly dropping out with random issue being reported by the troubleshooter. I'm using Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit. The messages I get are:
- Default Gateway Is Not Available
- The connection between your access point, router, or cable modem and the Internet is broken
- Invalid IP address

I read that this could be an issue caused by one of the programs installed on my PC or drivers so here's what I tried so far:

- Reinstalling the Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
- Switching to Selective start-up so no non-essential program starts up with Windows
- Scanning my PC for viruses and other malware using MalwareBytes, Windows Security Essentials, ADWremover and I have Cybereason RansomFree active.

The only programs starting up with Windows are Cybereason RansomFree, MalwareBytes and Windows Security Essentials. (note: this issue started back when only RansomFree was installed).

My PC is clean of viruses/malware yet this issue still keeps happening after everything I've tried above. (note 2: utorrent keeps starting with Windows even though I've disabled its boot several times already),

My system specs (if relevant for this issue) are:
ASRock 980DE3/U3S3 R2.0
AMD FX8300
MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti
16 GB RAM DDR3 1600 Hz 1.5 V

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

P.S. I don't think the router is the culprit as the other PC in my household does not have this issue and none of the smartphones and tablets running on wi-fi have drop-outs

 

[The Paladin]

I would run CCLEANER and select Tools on the left column, then select " startup and disable your uTorrent and any other application that seems suspicious, if a problem arises you can always "enable it" back on. after you reboot. also look in scheduled task nothing is out of place

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

I wouldn't dismiss the hardware side of things just yet - - I'd be looking at replacing the router with a borrowed one temporarily just to see if that is the culprit, then proceed accordingly.

That's certainly been my experience in the past - - more than once I've had to replace a router because it was causing the symptoms you've described. I always keep a spare router now so I can do a quick swap over when signal keeps dropping off, though I have to say it's never happened since I set up a new Billion router 2 years ago - - it's been rock solid since day one - - just as well since it cost me a fair whack, double what I previously paid for other brands.

 

[Martin_54]

I wouldn't dismiss the hardware side of things just yet - - I'd be looking at replacing the router with a borrowed one temporarily just to see if that is the culprit, then proceed accordingly.

That's certainly been my experience in the past - - more than once I've had to replace a router because it was causing the symptoms you've described. I always keep a spare router now so I can do a quick swap over when signal keeps dropping off, though I have to say it's never happened since I set up a new Billion router 2 years ago - - it's been rock solid since day one - - just as well since it cost me a fair whack, double what I previously paid for other brands.

I don't think the router is the issue as there is another PC in the house, one notebook as well as several smartphones and tablet, all running fine both on LAN and wi-fi. My PC is the only one with this issue :/

 

[The Paladin]

if this a wired pc., try plugging your cable end going to the router into a different port and try again.