How do I know if my ATT router is bad?
There are cases where users may begin to feel that something is wrong with their AT&T router, mostly because of internet connection problems such as slow speeds, disconnection, or even inability to connect to other devices. Here are some signs that can indicate your AT&T Internet router may be going bad and need to be replaced: Here are some signs that can indicate your AT&T router may be going bad and need to be replaced:
1. Slow internet speeds. If the speeds are consistently much lower than what the advertised plan offers and this is across the board, then the problem is most probably with the router. The next step would be to perform some speed tests while being directly connected to the modem and then while using the router for the connection.
2. Frequent internet service dropouts. Sometimes you may discover that you are losing that internet connection several times within a single day, only for it to re-establish again for a while; this may be an indication that your router is not functioning properly. Random disconnection most often indicates the hardware issues and not the router’s settings.
3. Connectivity issues with devices. Notably; if one or several devices or all have problems with sustaining adequate connections with the router even while close to the router, there could be problems. Some of the issues that may be experienced are for instance; constant disconnection or reconnecting of devices or even random connection issues may occur.
4. Overheating router. There are moments when your router might feel extremely hot to touch, and this is often due to overheating, and it may cause intermittent problems. Ensure that it does not have a problem with trapped heat and is not housed in an enclosure that may be hindering cooling.
5. Flashing lights on the router. Newer ATT routers may have LED status lights. Blinking lights that are very fast when there are connectivity issues can be seen as a sign of a router issue as opposed to a simple loose connection by the ISP. Sometimes, the error messages are indicated by the lights on the router model you are using.
6. Challenges faced include the inability to access the admin interface. You are locked out of your router’s administrative interface/pages where you manage its settings. If a person is locked out this typically means that they are dealing with a hardware or firmware issue. When possible, reboot and factory reset the device.
7. It is clear that firmware update is still a major issue. If updates stop or if the updates themselves are not solving problems, then that means that the router needs to be replaced with another new one instead of just another software update.
8. Some links take considerable time to open router admin pages. A page might take several minutes to load or it may not load at all it will simply time out. This suggests that the router has a slow processor for handling traffic if you have not connected any new device and the response time is equally slow.
9. The older version is no longer capable of changing router settings. If such settings are no longer effective like when making changes such as port forwarding or using static IP addresses, it means that the power to manage configurations effectively is probably affected.
10. The router is over 3 years old, and the maximum limit is 5 years. The average Router has a lifespan of 3-5 years and would, in most cases, not encounter any acute problems. You could try to replace it if your router was provided to you by AT&T more than 3 years ago; this should help to increase the speed a little bit.
If you think that your router is older and could be in poor condition, then it is advisable to contact AT&T customer service. You may be asked to give specifics of the problems that you’re encountering, how long these problems have been around, and the router model details that are often found on a sticker or engraving across the device. It can also state whether there was a recent power surge that may have contributed to the same.
As for diagnosing remotely, if replacing the router hardware itself appears necessary, then AT&T can assist. If you don’t own the router but rather rent it from them, they might send a replacement router. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to buy a new router that is compatible with the modem that they supply you with. The truth is that if you are having several connectivity issues originating from an older router, getting a new router normally solves those problems.
This is especially important as it will often solve the problem, whenever problems occur, before blaming it on device failure, reboot the router as well as the modem. First, use a power cycle before replacing routers as these devices may still have a good HW lifespan remaining. Call service providers for support in case issues persist after rebooting to get the most out of warranty replacements if necessary. These measures assist in making certain that your routing equipment is in its best functioning condition as long as possible before one has to incur the expenses of having a new whole set of units.
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