We rely upon our routers to provide fast internet and perform all data transmission we require throughout the day. If you’re using an older router and start experiencing problems, you should consider the possibility that you need to replace it and get a new one.
But how to tell if router is bad? Several indicators may suggest that your router’s use has come to an end. If you need some help picking up the signs, keep reading.
How to Tell If Router Is Bad
If you’re dealing with connectivity issues, two things can be the cause — poor service from your internet provider or problems with the equipment. If you’ve already contacted your internet provider, it is time to put your router to the test.
The best way to determine whether your router is to blame for the connectivity issues you’ve been experiencing is to switch to a wired connection and compare performance.
If you have an Ethernet cable at hand, connect your computer directly to the modem, and see whether you’ll get a more stable connection. If the wired network performs better than your WiFi, it’s probably time to replace your old router.
If you’re unsure whether or not the wired network works better than your WiFi after the initial test, here are some other things you can do to double-check:
Login problems
One of the major indicators that your router is faulty is the inability to log in to the network. If you’re facing login problems or often get kicked out of the network for no reason, it may be a sign of a faulty router.
Nonetheless, this could also result from other problems, like USB or Ethernet cable issues. That is why we recommend troubleshooting all the wires – disconnect them, then plug them in again, and see whether that’ll fix the problem before you jump to conclusions.
Slow connection
Slow connectivity is undoubtedly the most nerve-wracking issue coming from a faulty router. Slow internet speed is the primary indicator of an operational problem in the router.
You should run a speed test to check whether you’re experiencing connectivity speed problems. You can download many desktop and mobile apps to test your internet speed and many web-based applications that’ll test connectivity in only a couple of clicks.
Router temperature rises
The routers perform many operations under the hood. The workload gets even more robust when using a more secure network with WPA2 encryption. However, they’re designed to manage their workload without overheating.
Although it is absolutely normal for a router to get a little worm, it shouldn’t get too hot. If you notice that the router starts getting too hot so that it becomes uncomfortable to the touch, the device is overheating. If you notice frequent overheating, your router will likely break down soon.
Indicator lights
Every router has built-in indicator lights to indicate whether the device is properly operating. Depending on the make and model of your router, it can include a list of specific indicator lights. However, the most commonly used indicator lights are:
- Power
- Internet
- Ethernet
- Wireless (2.4 GHz)
- Wireless (5 GHz)
- USB
- WPS.
The indicator lights may turn different colors or flicker differently when something’s wrong with the device. Still, the indicator lights and their behavior vary between router models, so you should check your user manual to determine whether the indicator lights are showing an error.
Poor responsiveness
Poor responsiveness is yet another indicator that your router is faulty. Although responsiveness may vary between devices, a router should be able to respond quickly to requests. If you notice that your router is becoming slow or unresponsive, it may be a sign of a faulty device.
You can easily try troubleshooting the issue by unplugging the router and plugging it back again after a couple of minutes. If that solves the problem, the problem might have been coming from a queue clogging up the router. Otherwise, you should consider repairing or replacing the bad router.
Other Causes for Connectivity Issues
Network problems happen often, but they don’t necessarily mean that your router is faulty. If you’ve gone through our guide on how to tell if router is bad and didn’t find anything suspicious going around your router, you need to consider other causes, such as:
Misconfiguration
Setting up your router properly is vital if you want to make the most out of the device. In fact, many connectivity issues happen because of misconfiguration.
To prevent connectivity problems resulting from misconfiguration, you should pay more attention to configuring your network equipment. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guide, and if you’re uncertain whether you can set up the network yourself, get professional help.
Power outages
Sudden power failures can also affect internet connectivity. Frequent problems with the power supply can significantly affect the networking equipment and cause problems with connectivity. Therefore, you should consider getting a backup power solution if you often face power failures.
Traffic jam
Another reason why you might be facing connectivity problems could be network overload. This happens when too many users are connected to a network that cannot serve a large number of requests. It often happens with public networks, but if you’re experiencing such a problem with a home network, you should check the list of logged-in users and look for unauthorized devices.
You’ll need to access your router’s configuration interface and look for a list of logged-in users. If you discover someone is stealing your WiFi, you can use the interface to block, ban, or eject unauthorized users.
Do You Need a New Router?
If you’re often experiencing issues that basic troubleshooting cannot solve, you’ll likely need to replace the router. Before you rush into purchasing a new router, have a good look at the abovementioned problems and see whether you can solve them by troubleshooting. If connectivity issues continue to reappear – we recommend purchasing a new router.