Is my Router on it's last legs?

I'm a Verizon DSL customer and they gave me an Actiontec wireless router. Lately my router drops the Internet signal. I have both the "POWER" and "DSL" LED's lit. But the Internet LED randomly drops. This by the way is a 4 year old router.

If the Router is the problem is there another brand that will work with Verizon?

 

Rodster I too have Verizon DSL I am using the Westell 7500 that they supplied for free when I thought my Westell 6100 (not wireless was failing).
The 7500 has a 4 port wired hub and wireless B & G capability.
If you can login to your router and go to transceiver stats it would help narrow down the issue.
the default login S/B admin/password. I had a very similar issue that turned out to be a line issue.
http://192.168.1.1 - system monitoring - advanced- Yes - transceiver stats

 

Has this been happening only recently. The first thing i'd do is contact Verizon, it's possible they are doing maintenance in your area or that they have changed something that is not playing nice with your older router. Who knows, they might even offer you a replacement free of charge and you'll be able to ask them if you can use another modem than what they supply.

 

Stats that JOSEA posted would be interesting too.
These show the quality of the line.

BTW JOSEA- yours is terrible

 

Thanks for confirming Downloads, I am about 2.5 miles from the central office, is I am used to YO YO DSL, In fact I often have to power down the modem, and switch cords from the wall jack the the router/modem.
(In windy weather I just to the library )

Rodster, just wanted to ad I would request a direct line from Network interface (junction box) to your DSL jack, if problems persist, they did this for free for me. Now I do not have to use filters on my land telephone lines.

 

Thanks for the responses. I called Verizon last night and the told me there is an outage in my area. I wasn't aware of that and did a FW update to Actiontec router. When the internet comes back I don't know if it will have problems with Verizon DSL service.

I typed this from my Android phone.

 

If it's still acting up have them test your connection. I have a Actiontec router that I got with FIOS but it's not my primary router, I use it as a AP. I have had the FO transceiver go out on mine several years ago.

 

I have seen a few and been told by other techs to watch out for Actiontec. After 4 years, I wouldn't hesitate to replace it if you suspect it's part of the issue.

 

I can't believe a communications company like Verizon doesn't know how to work with Routers other than their own. I went to Walmart and bought a Belkin then a NETGEAR N300 and they couldn't get either to work. Their response was they are not supported. What a crock.

They tried to sell me another Actiontec which I flatly refused because I told them they were junk. I was prepared to take my business elsewhere. They offered me a new modem router by Westek for free which I accepted. So I'll be without internet until later this week.

 

Out of curiosity, what you got was a router to use with a modem provided by Verizon or a modem/router combo?

 

Was that a statement, question or a statement/question combo?

 

Badly formulated question. English is not my main language and as such some of the things i write might not come out exactly right, that and i sometimes think of two ways to say something and end up saying half of both instead of one or the other.

Anyways:

Did you purchase a router that you wanted to use with your verizon modem or modem/router combo meant to replace the one from verizon? Before accepting the replacement modem/router that Verizon offered you. I'm just curious to know what the techs were unable to help you with.

 

The Belkin was supposedly a combo. While setting it up it gave me messages that it was attempting to communicate with the modem. It had a plug on the back that said modem.

The NETGEAR appeared to be just a router. Fortunately I had told them that I did not want another Actiontec because of numerous issues including reboots and dropouts and that I didn't want to be tied to a Verizon brand incase I decided to use another DSL company. That's when I was put on hold and was offered a free modern-router combo.

 

Hey fellas, would you mind helping me reconfiguring my Actiontec GT704-WG?

It's running the updated Actiontec FW. I got the internet light to come on but but wasn't able to connect to the internet, had no idea what I was doing.

Btw I just received my new Verizon D-Link Modem/Router. Has anyone ever thought of making a sticky on how to configure a router? That would be most helpful for us noobs.

 

AFA securing the Westell DSL router - change the login to the router to a new user name and secure password OPen http://192.168.1.1/ in a browser then locate Change Login User Name & Password on the first page - default S/B admin/password
2. Wireless settings - Turn on Wireless, Change the default SSID, Turn on WPA and SSID broadcast - turn this off
3. Advance settings - Personal - WPA2 - AES - set up a long Security key
4. Firewall - I set mine to Max, if you use steam you have to set up Port Forwarding

NOTE if you have to reset the modem all settings will be lost

 

Joe my Westel is running just fine. It's the NEW modem/router I received today via UPS.

I wanted to get the Actiontec GT-704WG operational as well. I went into the Actiontec settings and that's where i'm a little lost.

 

My bad, Have you already followed this procedure for the ACtiontec? Verizon Support
NOTE if you can login write down all custom settings because once you hit reset they will be gone (been there).
If you still can not get it to work you may need to reflash the firmware back to whatever verizon recommends

 

PM sent with settings

JOSEA I checked the Verizon page and those are just basic instructions. My Actiontec modem/router is now running Actiontec FW after I updated the FW unbeknownst I had a line outage.

 

I just found the Verizon custom FW for my modem/router. Actiontec GT704WG Firmware (Verizon Custom) Here It Is! - Verizon Online DSL | DSLReports Forums