All DNS traffic completely suspended for 60 seconds randomly throughout the day

Hi, this sounds very similar to an issue that MANY other XR1000 users were experiencing 6-12 months ago (and earlier as well).  The symtom was that at several random times throughout the day, ALL network traffic would completely stop for about 60 seconds.  Then it would mysteriously work fine again.  What we all came to deduce was happening through various troubleshooting was that the XR1000 Pro Gaming Routers were automatically set to receive automatic firmware updates and they were timing out whenever they were trying to check/perform these updates.

The reason that I'm here replying now is because I'm having this exact same problem AGAIN!!!!!

I'm not sure if Netgear is aware of this issue (they certainly should be by the many users that are being affected and the numerous posts in various community support forums about it), but they really need to figure this out and start supporting their customers and products!

The subject line mentions DNS traffic, but the description says ALL network traffic. (although the example is web browser use). When this happens again, it would be helpful if some other network activity was examined, such as using ICMP to 'ping' some internet resources.

All devices connected to the network are affected?  i.e.

• Both 'wired' and WiFi devices?
• IoT devices do not respond to their smartphone apps?

Hi and thank you for your response.

Yes, every device that gets internet from the router, wired, 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi is affected.  I've got 5 computers (all hard-wired), 4 iPhones, 1 printer.

I'm not sure if my thermostat works with the app or not (remember, I have to 1) notice it, and 2) try things within 60 seconds).

I probably mispoke by saying DNS, where I got that from is that every webpage that fails to load, refresh errors out saying "DNS Probe Started".

Next time it happens, I'll try pinging Google.com and let you know if that works.

Internet search on "DNS Probe Started" turns up a bunch of recommendations.  My router is set to use Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and Google (8.8.8.8) instead of the ISP supplied DNS servers.  (I wasn't having any problems, but did that on a whim.)

If these episodes occur on a regular schedule, such as every 60 minutes, there are several active discussions on that topic.

What resources are available to troubleshoot network issues?  For example, I have set up "network taps" to allow me to record the WAN traffic between my router and the internet.  (There is a feature on the router's "debug" page to record the LAN/WAN traffic but it seems to have a circular buffer that does not hold very much.  Using the tap, I can record gigabytes of data to a hard drive for analysis.)

Is QoS or Ad Blocker enabled on the XR router? 

What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.

How are the advanced Wifi settings configured? 

What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too? 
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended. 

Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and router and satellite(s) been performed since last update?
Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:
Turn off and unplug modem.
Turn off router and computers.
Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on computers and rest of network.

Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? A complete pull of the power adapters for a period of time after the factory reset then walk thru the setup wizard and setup from scratch with a wired PC and web browser. https://kb.netgear.com/22697/How-do-I-install-my-NETGEAR-router-using-the-router-web-interface

Recommend setting the default DHCP IP address pool range to the following after applying and a factory reset: 192.168.#.100 to 192.168.#.200.
https://kb.netgear.com/24089/How-do-I-specify-the-pool-of-IP-addresses-assigned-by-my-Nighthawk-router

robturpin wrote:

Hi, I am again experiencing an issue that MANY other XR1000 users were experiencing 6-12 months ago (and earlier as well).

 

The symtom is that at several random times throughout the day, ALL network traffic would completely stop for about 60 seconds.  Absolutely no website can be updated or resolved using any browser for at least 60 seconds.  After about 60 seconds. it mysteriously works fine again.

 

What we all came to deduce was happening through various troubleshooting (in the other thread which unfortunately I can't find now) was that the XR1000 Pro Gaming Routers were set to receive automatic firmware updates by default (meaning right out of the box as well as after a factory reset) and they were timing out whenever they were trying to check for/perform these updates.

 

I'm not sure if Netgear is aware of this issue (they certainly should be by the many users that are being affected and the numerous posts in various community support forums about it), but they really need to figure this out and start supporting their customers and products!