Router/Modem power cycle question.

[KiddCold]

So I have done a fair amount of research about my recurring problem and have yet to find an answer which is really helpful.

So it seems that once or twice a month people seem to disconnect the surge protector which the modem and router are plugged in. This completely cripples my internet connection for on average an hour.


Personally I think it's an issue with my ISP.

What happens is I guess my router looses connection to the modem or the internet.

Normally there is a light (upside down question mark is what we'll call it). After a loss of power this light is amber (normally it's green).

Every time this happens it take an hour worth of power-cycling to get everything back in order.

I unplug the modem and router, let them sit for 30 seconds, connect the modem, wait 30 seconds, plug router in and wait for a couple minutes then rinse and repeat till that little question mark goes green.

Am I doing something wrong?

Is there a better way?

It's ridiculous to have to sit there and power-cycle everything for an hour.

Though when it happened early today I think I noticed that if I power-cycle both modem and router, then unplug just the modem and plug it back in it seems to work.. I think, will test when I get home.

But overall I'm just wondering am I missing a step or something?

 

[eibgrad]

If I had to guess, I'd place the blame on your modem/ISP. Of the two, the router is the least sensitive to this kind of problem. It typically just sits there and repeatedly attempts to get a public IP via the modem. But the modem may be having issues getting reestablished w/ the ISP.

Does the modem appear to be ready? Can you connect another device, say a desktop/laptop to the modem and have it work?

Personally I'd just get a cheap UPS to keep the power available at all times. Might even save the equipment someday from all that power cycling.

 

[KiddCold]

If I had to guess, I'd place the blame on your modem/ISP. Of the two, the router is the least sensitive to this kind of problem. It typically just sits there and repeatedly attempts to get a public IP via the modem. But the modem may be having issues getting reestablished w/ the ISP.

Does the modem appear to be ready? Can you connect another device, say a desktop/laptop to the modem and have it work?

Personally I'd just get a cheap UPS to keep the power available at all times. Might even save the equipment someday from all that power cycling.

Yes the modem is basically ready to go, all lights are on and if I connect it directly to a computer it allows me to connect to the internet.

I should have mentioned this in my original post but...

While that upside down question mark is amber I can access the router login and information, in those pages
the internet IP address, subnet mask and gateway IP all come up as 0.0.0.0

This is what originally made me thing it is a issue with my ISP (To be honest I hate charter, but it's all that is available).

 

[eibgrad]

Did you try manually renewing the DHCP lease on the router's WAN (rather than just letting it sit there, most routers have the option to renew/release)?

 

[KiddCold]

Yeah, no luck though.

When I do that I still have no internet access when that happens.

I think after Christmas I'm going to pull the plug and try some different methods, thanks for the help!

 

[KiddCold]

Did you try manually renewing the DHCP lease on the router's WAN (rather than just letting it sit there, most routers have the option to renew/release)?

Sorry for not responding or anything. I have been on vacation.

First, I would like to say thank you for taking the time to help me. Atleast someone was willing to..183 views..

I have found a solution to my problem, it seems that when I power-cycle both my modem and my router I need to plug the router in before the modem. Which from my understanding and previous experiences is the opposite of the norm.

If anyone may have any additional suggestions feel free to share.

Modem= Motorola Surfboard SB6120

Router= Netgear WNR3500L

 

[KiddCold]

Best answer selected by KiddCold.

 

[bcaudil0]

I used to power cycle my Internet everyday in order to keep it connected. I would unplug the modem and router and wait then plug them back in properly waiting for the modem to power up first. This was a pain and I was having to crawl behind my desk to do it. Until I purchased a new product called NetReset 1. It automatically power cycles the modem and router in proper order daily for you. I have not touched my Internet connection since I purchased it. I have also noticed the Internet being faster. My entire family now has NetReset 1 and we love it. Can't imagine going without the device now. Check it out at www.netreset1.com. My Internet hasn't gone down a single time.