Is my Netgear Wireless Router Working?

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

I have a HP PC with 8.1 MS and a 4 year old Netgear router

Comcast said I should call Netgear to find out if WiFi was working. I called 2 Netgear helpers who would update my wireless box at a price. $89.99 for 6 months, $49.00 for 7 days. They said it was a good deal as there is only a 90 day warranty on a new one. I was told to go to a site where I could test my wifi. Due to shock at the answer I said thank you and hung up. Is this Sales talk? I know my computer is running very slow and believe I need a new router. Can I have some advice on how to best spend my money for wifi?

Featured Answer

azinoh

10 years ago

Without knowing why you think the router is the problem, the simplest way to find out is to plug one end of an Ethernet cord into the router and the other end into your computer (I'm assuming this is a laptop?). It's a good idea to have at least one Ethernet cord, even if you don't need it all the time. If you see the situation improve, then maybe the router is having a problem although frankly I doubt it. There are many other possible causes for your slowdown...most of them having nothing to do with the router.

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Comments (16)

Maggie200
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for answering. I don't have a laptop or an Ethernet cord. There must be a way to diagnose my Wi-Fi. In settings on my iPad or Phone it will say sometimes I have no Wi-Fi connection. Is 4 years a normal amount of time for a router? The front of the router should tell me if I have enough lights working.
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fwiw WPA is the security most would use. One passphrase of 20 charatures is recommended by most to make it virtually unhackable. That security is to keep others out of your router or off your internet connection. Many people screw up writing down passphrases on paper and/or retyping it in. Can't connect complaints usually blaming it on other things are frequently solved by whoops, my passphrase was entered wrong. Copy & Paste passphase is virtually foolproof. But requires a bit of though. Dont push the OK button until you've pasted it onto notepad or something. WEP is ok, but there are programs Johnny Jr next door might use to gain access in a few minutes. One of those four WEP keys is designated the primary key with a bullet or check box... that checked key you would copy/paste into your computer for the passphrase or key. You're not going to be automatically given a key in your home. Maybe at work when login & security is handled off a server. When you do credit cards and other secrets online usually its on a secure web page and those web pages are encryped so mr bad guy & neighbor are not able to see anything except googlygoop.
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big_al_41
10 years ago
I'm no puter guru by any stretch of the imagination... but try unplugging the power cord from the router and wait a minute and then plug it back in sometimes that resets the router ... see if that helps. It will take a minute or two for the internet etc. to come back on so be just be aware of that. Good luck
Maggie200 thanked big_al_41
Maggie200
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, I have done this twice. Thanks. Someone has the answer.
dadoes
10 years ago
Doubtful there's a way for a consumer-level user to test/diagnose WiFi without specialized equipment to read the signal strength. Routers can last for years. Mine is 7 years. You can get an ethernet cable from Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc. It won't connect your phone or iPad but your computer should have an RJ45 jack for it.
millworkman
10 years ago
Buy a new one at a store that doesn't charge for returns to try. You should be able to get one cheaper than the "service contract" you were offered.
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
just a thought:

Maybe I'm missing it, but did you try Windows Network Troubleshooter to see if it does detect a concern?

DA
Maggie200
Original Author
10 years ago
No. I don't know what that is. I will try to look it up now.
Maggie200
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I went to Windows Network Troubleshooters. It's good to know it exists. Really looking for something to gauge the performance of my wifi. Hoped that Task Master could do that. Did review the videos the troubleshooter showed. Netgear has an extender you can add. Nah. Some simple ideas I have tried before were there. Thanks for looking at my problem. My iPad and my iPhone suffer most of all. thanks for your answers.
jrb451
10 years ago
Got a smartphone? There's several free Wi-Fi analyzing apps - Wi-Fi Analyzer & Wi-Fi Analytics, etc. - to measure signal strength.
Maggie200 thanked jrb451
Maggie200
Original Author
10 years ago
good idea
User
10 years ago
You could always Ping an IP Address.
There are also Programs out there that can scan like: Acrylic WiFi Home
Maggie200 thanked User
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
Here's something that might help as it lays claim to multiple targeted apps.

Though I have multiple browsers installed on my desktop I myself only have it added to Chrome. My cellphone is a bare bones 4G antique so I have no knowledge there.

http://openspeedtest.com/?chrome

DA
Maggie200 thanked DA_Mccoy
Maggie200
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I did the test for IE. I could not upload photo. There is much wrong with MS. The results are Download + 31.10, Ping: 21.ms and Upload 96.60mbps
Maggie200
Original Author
10 years ago
Nope can't upload anything. Tried to bring up a pic of Prince and so it isn't.
Maggie200
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Along with the great advice from here I have to admit a problem and t that nothing is synced to the PC. MS help desk could not work with MS365 and tried to sync new Outlook to iPad and IPhone. They lost my calendars on my Pc. This has been happening over and over at the tier one level. Their supervisors will not let the Tier 1 send me to tier 2 to a dept that specializes in Outlook. I got there the first time - to Microsoft365/ Outlook and had great advice to start me.

Is my Netgear Wireless Router Working?

azinoh

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