7 Wireless Router Problems And How To Solve Them

Don't put up with a slow data stream. Troubleshoot your router.
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A good router gone bad isn't always a bad router. Most times it's just a good router looking for a little love and attention.

We've all had it happen: You're sitting there connected to your network, browsing the Internet, or trying to get some game on, or you just want to watch a video from upstairs, and, suddenly, Shazaam! You feel like you're walking uphill through drying cement -- in lead shoes.

The feeling isn't good and, when it happens, all you really want to do is point your 27th century neutron rifle at your router and blast away.

It's an understandable reaction, but it's not the most fiscally responsible solution. Routers can be expensive items to replace. So we've rounded up a few tips to try to overcome some of the more common causes of router headaches.

1. It's So Slow You Can't Get Any Work Done

Problem: Your router is slower than molasses running uphill on a hot day.

Solution: A couple of things that might be causing this problem. Most routers work on the 2.5GHz band. So do Microwave ovens, cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, and some other electronic devices. Have you added anything to the environment recently that works on the 2.5GHz band -- just about when the problem started? If so, turn it off and see if there's an improvement.

If that's not an issue, keep in mind that the 2.5GHz band has only three real channels (1, 6, 11) despite pretending to have eleven (the others overlap with each other). Your neighbors who are Wi-Fi-enabled are also using those same channels. If you live in a major metropolitan area with public transportation, it's a lot like trying to get on the bus during rush hour.

You can modify the channel your router uses (and subsequently any Wi-Fi adapters) by going into the device's setup controls (usually through a browser-based program that's been installed on your computer when you installed the router or adapter) and manually changing it. (The default setting is where the problem can arise; vendors always pick the same channel.)