Basic Router Troubleshooting

After going through IP address troubleshooting or isolating a router as a cause for your computer being unable to get online, this guide will walk through basic troubleshooting steps for a router.

1. Verify the hard wired connections to the router.
   • Unplug all network cables from the modem, computer, and router.
   • Unplug the power from the modem and the power from the router, then shut down the computer
   • Take one end of an Ethernet cable and plug it into the modem in the Internet port then plug the other end of that same cable into the WAN or LAN port on the router. This is usually an isolated port, separate from 4 numbered ports.
   •  Take a second Ethernet cable and plug one end into one of the four numbered ports on the router and plug the other end of that same cable into the computer.
   • Plug the power back into the modem, wait one full minute, then plug the power into the router, wait one more full minute then turn the computer back on.
2. Run the setup disc for the router again
   • If the disc cannot connect to the router to change the settings after verifying the hard wired connections, then the router is likely defective.
   • Verify any connection settings and credentials with your Internet Service Provider when running the setup disc.
3. Verify a second computer is able to get online (if possible).
   • If neither computer is able to get online then the router or modem is the cause of the problem.
4. Go through IP address troubleshooting steps
   • If after going through IP address troubleshooting and basic router troubleshooting the result remains the same, contact your Internet Service Provider or your router manufacturer for additional assistance.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.