Router reboots every few minutes while gaming

[zeezok]

This only occurs while both my wife and I are simultaneously playing Heroes of the Storm. Every 3 or 3.5 minutes, the router will reboot itself for no apparent reason and we'll lose connection on every device and computer in the house until it comes back online. If only one of us is playing HotS and the other is playing anything else (BF4, Elite Dangerous, etc.) nothing seems to happen. It's a EA6300 Linksys router, in case that comes up.

So far I've tried getting a different router, getting a new cable modem, flashing both comp's BIOS, making sure all drivers are updated, getting our computers both hardwired with Ethernet into the router instead of Wi-Fi, shutting off the 5ghz band, disabling the router firewall, port triggering, shutting off Norton, changing the Ethernet cable between the router and modem, plugging into a different outlet, changing between Wi-Fi channels, putting a desk fan beneath the modem/router in case it was overheating, and probably a few thing I'm forgetting at this point. Nothing has worked.

I have completely exhausted all ideas, I've even completely exhausted all of my network admin friend's ideas, and I am utterly at a loss. Is this something that could be caused by the cable box in the yard somehow resetting my router? I'm open to any suggestions at this point because I'd really like to resolve this issue, thanks for any help!

 

[boosted1g]

That is really really weird.

If it was your modem rebooting then I would say it was t3/t4 timeout errors when demanding bandwidth and the problem was with line by ISP.

Only thing that makes sense is that the game is sending so much data packets the router is basically getting DoS attack on it. Only think I could recommend is upgrade the router to something with a better CPU like the asus RT-AC68P (dual core 1ghz and 256mb ram)

 

[zeezok]

I got a Linksys WRT1900AC for a day and it didn't solve the issue, do you think that it could have been because it didn't have enough processor to handle the load? I'll buy a new router if it'll solve the issue but that didn't help when I just tried it the other day.

 

[boosted1g]

I would try a non-linksys router. The ASUS RT-AC68P is a really good router (also called a RT-AC68Uv2).
Do buy it from a local retailer though so you can return it if that does not fix the problem.

If it was a problem with any high demanding game or high bandwidth download then there is a multitude issues it could still be. Since it is only with one specific game on 2 simultaneous machines, and you have replaced the router to eliminate it as being defective this really only leaves something specific about the game. The PC would rrash over the router if there were just bugs in the code, the game just overloading the router is the only thing that makes sense. One other thought I just had is that both linksys routers had a glitch in the firmware. Linksys has really gone downhill after the wrt54g days when they got bought out by cisco. Hence why to increase sales they made the new routers look like the old g ones..

 

[zeezok]

I would try a non-linksys router. The ASUS RT-AC68P is a really good router (also called a RT-AC68Uv2).
Do buy it from a local retailer though so you can return it if that does not fix the problem.

If it was a problem with any high demanding game or high bandwidth download then there is a multitude issues it could still be. Since it is only with one specific game on 2 simultaneous machines, and you have replaced the router to eliminate it as being defective this really only leaves something specific about the game. The PC would rrash over the router if there were just bugs in the code, the game just overloading the router is the only thing that makes sense. One other thought I just had is that both linksys routers had a glitch in the firmware. Linksys has really gone downhill after the wrt54g days when they got bought out by cisco. Hence why to increase sales they made the new routers look like the old g ones..

We got the Asus RT AC68P and we've been able to play without any disconnects, I think you were right that Linksys routers were the problem. I'm not necessarily on the pulse of computer hardware anymore but I've always historically trusted Linksys, it was surprising to learn they're not that as reliable anymore. Thanks for your help, it's nice to finally be able to play a F2P game (after spending $600 fixing my home network....) with my wife, we both appreciated your time and knowledge!

 

[boosted1g]

Glad that got you all fixed up.

Unfortunately Linksys had been just coasting from reputation for the last 7-8 years. Believe it or not they still make and sell the old wireless G routers that gave them a good reputation in the first place. They are trying to make a comeback but it they still have not gotten there. To add insult to injury, the majority of their routers are designed to not be able to be flashed to dd-wrt or tomato firmware which is what made their wrt54g routers so popular in the first place.


If you ever want more customization/higher end features on your ASUS then I highly recommend downloading Merlin firmware. It is a port from the original ASUS firmware and installs as easy as a factory firmware update, it even keeps your settings.