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usafmary's avatar
usafmary
Aspirant
Nov 17, 2024

Losing the wi-fi randomly

I have an RAX50 router purchased in 2021.  We have 2 PCs that randomly lose the wi-fi and at different times.  When PC1 is affected, I can't ping the router and PC2 can't ping PC1.  The router also r...
Kitsap's avatar
Kitsap
Master
Nov 17, 2024
usafmary wrote:

I have an RAX50 router purchased in 2021.  We have 2 PCs that randomly lose the wi-fi and at different times.  When PC1 is affected, I can't ping the router and PC2 can't ping PC1.  The router also refuses connection to PC1 when I try to sign into the router. 

I've tried so many things:

  • made sure firmware was up-to-date;
  • tried different drivers;
  • rebooted modem, router and PCs;
  • deleted/recreated adapters;
  • etc., etc.

I have a smart TV and Roku and cell phone that don't lose connection though they're probably not used as often as the PCs.

I've read that routers should last 3-5 years so, is it time to get a new one or does anyone have a suggestion that I may not have tried?

Thank you in advance,

-mary

 

Do you allow either of the PC's to go into power save (sleep) mode?  If yes, check the PC settings to see if the adapters are also allowed to go to sleep.  Some adapters are better than others in restoring a connection after coming out of sleep mode.

 

 

  • usafmary's avatar
    usafmary
    Aspirant
    Nov 17, 2024

    They both go into sleep mode but sleep on the adapters isn't allowed.  Thank you for your suggestion though.

  • Kitsap's avatar
    Kitsap
    Master
    Nov 17, 2024

    I presume the PCs are connected via the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band.  Are you using any channels in the DFS frequency range?

     

    Is smart connect enabled?

     

     

    • usafmary's avatar
      usafmary
      Aspirant
      Nov 17, 2024

      Both 2.4 and 5 GHz are set up on the router. Smart connect is not enabled - Enable AX is selected.  I'll have to find out what the differences are and try smart connect the next time one of the PCs loses connection. Most, if not all, of the settings on the router are from the factory.

      As for DFS frequency range, I'm not familiar with that.  I'll have to see if I can find that on the router.

      Thank you for your suggestions.

      • Kitsap's avatar
        Kitsap
        Master
        Nov 17, 2024
        usafmary wrote:

        Both 2.4 and 5 GHz are set up on the router. Smart connect is not enabled - Enable AX is selected.  I'll have to find out what the differences are and try smart connect the next time one of the PCs loses connection. Most, if not all, of the settings on the router are from the factory.

        As for DFS frequency range, I'm not familiar with that.  I'll have to see if I can find that on the router.

        Thank you for your suggestions.

        Smart connect combines both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency band SSIDs into one and lets the router decide what to connect.  In my experience, smart connect does more harm than good.  There are differing opinions.  Had it been enabled, I would have recommended you disable it.

         

        Some very good background reading on Wi-Fi can be found here.  https://www.wiisfi.com/

         

        Includes explanations for DFS and the AX band.

         

        Unless you have a specific device you are trying to connect to the AX band, it would be good to disable it and see if it corrects your problem.