If you are experiencing low internet speeds in your home office or have any other trouble with your internet connection, the cause could be router overload. MostISPsprovide you with a router once you sign up to use their internet connection services, but many times these routers can cause problems such as router overload due to their poor performance in many areas.
Routers can overload just like the rest of our electronics, but what happens with router overload is a little different. It can really be a big inconvenience, especially when you have to meet deadlines. You might find yourself stuck with a bad connection. Such a situation can negatively affect your productivity.
This article will discuss what router overload is and why it happens, along with some key solutions to assist you if it does.
What is Router Overload?
Router overload is essentially when your router is handling way too many tasks at once. For example, let’s say you’ve got your computer streaming something and downloading some large files. This can occur with multiple devices, and from all of this, it generates heat. It’s basically handling too many processes, and your router can’t take it.
Small Routers usually are strong enough, but they often may be handling too much on one little device. You may also have the software, hardware, and connectivity issues that follow this, so understanding why it’s happening and looking at the devices and how they connect, you’ll be able to tackle router overload easily.
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The Signs of Router Overload
The signs of router overload usually show themselves in the form of slower internet speeds, and your downloads are taking forever. This affects the entire connection that you have as well, not just the websites you’re downloading from. Usually, this is a sign of either software or hardware issues too. Still, if you notice that when you’re visiting the homepage or even doing something high-bandwidth and you can’t do it on multiple devices, then this is definitely a sign that your router is overloaded.
Some people might also notice that the router behaves unpredictably, especially shutting down randomlyor even disconnecting the local devices.You definitely may notice that it comes with the overheating rather than just overloading too, since this kind of goes hand in hand.
Sometimes, you may notice login issueswhere you can’t log in today, and the lights aren’t working.
If you’re also noticing that you can’t seem to get anything done today, from navigating a homepage to downloading a large file, without the connection dropping off and reconnecting, then chances are your router is overloaded, and you’ll definitely need something. Plus, that’s super annoying to deal with, and we don’t’ want to deal with going just a few hours before the wireless signal poops out.
So yes, if you notice these symptoms, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting a fix, and we’ll list these solutions below on how to fix router overload.
Solution 1: Getting a New Router
This is usually the first solution. Your router may have too much going on, and you might notice that it keeps shutting off again and again. You may need a new router, and that’s not a huge problem. You can try to power cycle, as we’ve touched on before and will go into the next section, but sometimes your router can’t handle these extra devices. If you’re downloading a lot, chances are they’re just making things harder on you, so the solution to this is to get a router that can handle everything you need to be done, and from there, try to connect this again.
Solution 2: Shutting down the Router
This is more of a temporary solution, but over time, sometimes this might work. It works well if you’re dealing with overheated routers. What you do is you power cycle by taking it out of the outlet, wait about half a minute, and then plug it back in. If that doesn’t’ work, try hard resetting it, and hold it for a few seconds to push it into factory settings.
If it’s not running in an area that’s ventilated, move it somewhere else, and if it’s not hot to the touch, you should be fine. But if it is, you should just shut it off for a bit.
Try unplugging and reattaching the ethernet cables and use spare ones to test whether it’s the router or even the modem.If you haven’t, you should also check for firmware updates.
Alright, so if you’ve tried this and still nothing, you’ll need a new router.
Solution 3: Adding a Second Router
Finally, if you are using more than 10 items to connect, you should consider adding a second router.Usually, a router at home doesn’t really need to have a secondary router, but if you notice that the home devices are actively using the network too much, this can happen. Sometimes, you may not even have issues with the overheating, but instead, it can cause outages in the network. That’s why sometimes the best solution is to add a second router.
It’s quite easy to do, and often, you can connect this same router to the modem. Suppose you lie in a big place that often has a lot of devices connected to it. In that case, chances are you’ll want to put a second router in place to help with this, and it will make it much easier for you to deal with. It will help with any connectivity issues that come about from this, and you’d be surprised at the difference it makes in your home devices and connections.
Preventing Router Overload in the Future
Overall, you should now know the basics when it comes to fixing router overload. But, you shouldn’t leave here without knowing the right measures to take to prevent router overload in the future. So, let’s go over a couple of key preventative measures.
In general, you should develop a few good habits that will naturally prevent your router from becoming overwhelmed. One of these habits is to regularly check your Activity Monitor or Task Manager to make sure your CPU isn’t using too much power. If you have too many connections to your client open, you risk entering the danger zone. If you suspect that your router might be having trouble or if you haven’t checked in a while, open the Activity Monitor and you’ll be able to see how many tasks are being carried out.
The second set of habits we briefly mentioned before. The first is to keep your router ventilated. If your router is supporting multiple connections, it’s only natural that it will heat up in response to the energy demand. So, there’s no escaping a little bit of heat, but you can mitigate this by storing your router in a cool, dry place. If nothing else, this will slow down the progression of router overload. The second habit is to consistently update the firmware. This is easy—if you have any questions, just call your internet service provider (ISP).
The Bottom Line
When it comes to your router, sometimes you might just be working with far too much on there for the device. When that happens, it’s best if you take your time, and actually work to ensure that you have the best results possible with your device, and you can do that with the different solutions like following instructions at the online manual that can be foundhere. It’s best if you learn to understand router overload so you can fix the solution and do it fast so your business efficiency remains on track.
So, we hope that this article helped you understand what’s happening with your router, how to fix it, and how to prevent it. In the comments, you can let us know if you are still having problems and we can try to help you find where to go from there. Thanks for reading, and we will see you back here next week having problems and we can try to help you find where to go from there. Thanks for reading, and we will see you back here next week!
FAQs
How do I fix my router overload? ›
Try unplugging and reattaching the ethernet cables and use spare ones to test whether it's the router or even the modem. If you haven't, you should also check for firmware updates. Alright, so if you've tried this and still nothing, you'll need a new router.
What happens when a router is overloaded? ›Router overload would cause slow performance on any combination of devices, whereas performance issues that occur only with a specific combination of devices indicate a different problem, either with one of those devices or with its connection to the router.
How do you fix a network router problem? ›- Unplug the router and modem's power cords from the power outlet for 15 seconds.
- Plug the power cords back in.
- Check that all cords and cables are secure at both ends.
- Wait a few minutes, until the lights on the modem and router are working right. (See the device manual or manufacturer's support site.)
- Unplug the power and Ethernet cables from the modem. ...
- Wait 2-3 minutes for the modem to fully power off. ...
- Reconnect the power and Ethernet cables to the modem.
- Wait for the Internet light to turn solid, then check if the internet is working properly.
Network congestion occurs when a network is overrun with more data packet traffic than it can cope with. This backup of data traffic occurs when too many communication and data requests are made at the same time, over a network that doesn't have enough network bandwidth to carry it.
What does it mean when a network is overloaded? ›If too many users attempt to use a site at once, it can crash a server, or cause server overload. For example, on the first day of an online sale, the release of an updated version to a game server, or a new web service rollout, this kind of server overload error is common.
What are the signs that your router is going bad? ›Your Wi-Fi range and speeds are getting worse
Like poor connectivity, worsening Wi-Fi range and speeds are signs that your router is failing. You don't need to see all these symptoms to replace your router—any one is a sign that the complex machinations inside your router might be breaking down.
- Slow Speeds. Slow Internet speeds are hard to miss. ...
- Weak Connection. Your Wi-Fi signal keeps dropping, and it's getting in the way of you getting anything done while you're working from home. ...
- Malfunctioning Equipment. ...
- Incompatibility With Newer Devices. ...
- Overheating.
When multiple devices use the same network, overcrowding occurs as they all compete with each other to connect to the same router. This means low quality or buffering during streaming, latency during gaming, and frustratingly slow browsing speeds.
Why is my router not connecting to internet? ›Restarting your modem and router should be the first thing you do when encountering an internet signal issue. Don't skip this step! This is almost always what tech support will ask you to try first, as it often solves the problem. To restart your equipment, unplug the power cable for 60 seconds and plug it back in.
What causes a router to stop working? ›
Causes of Router Failure
Shock and vibration are also detrimental to electronics, and if the router is constantly bumped, knocked over, or otherwise moved abruptly, connections and solder joints can work loose, and ports can be damaged by network cords being tugged and pulled.
- Select the diagnostic tool: Ping.
- Type the IP Address/Domain name of the PC/server you want to ping the IP Address/ Domain Name.
- Click Start to diagnose. The following result indicates the connection is ok.
- Locate the Reset button on the back of your router.
- With the router powered on, use the pointed end of a paperclip or similar object to press and hold the Reset button for 15 seconds.
- Wait for the router to fully reset and power back on.
Whatever style of modem/router you have, you can do a manual reboot by unplugging the power cable (typically black) from the power port on the back of the router.
What are the five causes of network trouble? ›- Sudden hardware failure. Devices can fail, and hardware wears out over time. ...
- Support network failures. ...
- Power loss. ...
- Traffic spikes. ...
- Diverse linkages. ...
- Out-of-Band Management.
- Choose a central location. ...
- Move your router off the floor. ...
- Replace your router's antenna. ...
- Reduce wireless interference. ...
- Replace your device wireless card-based network adapter. ...
- Add a wireless repeater. ...
- Change your wireless channel. ...
- Update your firmware or network adapter driver.
Some network problems can arise from faulty hardware, such as routers, switches, firewalls, and even from unexpected usage patterns, like network bandwidth spikes, changes in app configuration, or security breaches.
How long do Wi-Fi routers usually last? ›Router age
Many experts suggest that if you don't use that many smart devices around your home, you can probably get away with replacing your router every five years.
Wondering if you have too many devices on WiFi? Most of the wireless routers and access points state they can support about 250 devices connected at once. This WiFi connection number includes computers, cameras, tablets, mobile smartphones, appliances, and a wide variety of other devices that are now internet-enabled.
How often should you get a new router? ›Generally, we recommend you upgrade to a new router every three to four years. That accounts for how often people typically upgrade devices like smartphones (every two years) and computers (every three to four years).
Can I replace my router myself? ›
Did you know that you don't have to settle for the router your provider gives you? You can use your own router instead, and there are lots of good reasons why you'd want to: A new router can offer a stronger and more reliable connection.
How to update your router? ›You can also update your router's firmware via Android and iOS. On Android, you must first install the IPConfig app. Once you've installed it, ensure you're connected to the router you want to update, then open it. On the front page of the app, you should see the router's IP address under DNS.
How many WiFi devices can a router handle? ›Most wireless access points and wireless routers can theoretically have 255 devices connected at a time. That represents a lot of computers, smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other devices and probably far exceeds the needs of the typical home.
How do I free up bandwidth? ›- Use an Ethernet Connection. TIP #1: Use an Ethernet Connection. ...
- Disable Automatic Backups. TIP #2: Disable Automatic Backups. ...
- Reduce WiFi-Connected Devices. TIP #3: Reduce WiFi-Connected Devices. ...
- Change the WiFi Band. TIP #4: Change the WiFi Band. ...
- Turn Down The Quality. ...
- Reset Your Router. ...
- Try a New Router.
Signal Interference
Almost all routers operate on the same frequency, also known as channels. Having multiple routers using the same channel close to each other might cause signal interference, meaning the routers will interfere with and prevent each other from operating at their best.
As a rule of thumb, a Netgear representative told us, consumers should consider replacing their router after three years, and representatives from Google and Linksys said a three-to-five-year window was appropriate. Amazon, which owns the popular Eero brand of routers, put the range at three to four years.
Is someone using my Wi-Fi? ›Once you're confident that all devices have been turned off, look at your router's wireless signal light. If that light is flashing, another device is still using your internet. If there is no light flashing, you're in the clear!
Is it my router or my internet? ›If you're seeing slow internet speeds on Wi-Fi, but your speeds improve when plugin into your modem, the issue is probably somewhere with your router. But if your speeds are a lot slower than you should be getting, your internet service provider (ISP) may be at fault.
Is it safe to press the reset button on the router? ›We suggest only pressing the Reset button if you wish to clear your device of all configurations (intentionally) or if you cannot recover your network password (in the case of routers) and have attempted all other methods of troubleshooting.
What happens if you press reset button on router? ›A reset restores your modem to its factory default settings. It will also erase any customized settings you may have changed, including static IP address setup, DNS, personalized password, WiFi settings, routing and DHCP settings.
How do I reset my router without unplugging it? ›
- Open a web browser and connect to your home router as an administrator. ...
- Once you're logged into your router as administrator, you can usually find the option to reboot your router in the Advanced section of the router's menu.
The WPS button simplifies the connection process
Press the WPS button on your router to turn on the discovery of new devices. Then, go to your device and select the network you want to connect to. The device is automatically connected to the wireless network without having to enter the network password.
It doesn't damage anything if you turn it off. An occasional reboot is good for a home wifi router. Just keep a good password on it and other security measures.
What is the difference in a modem and a router? ›To put it simply, the modem connects your home to the Internet, while a router creates the network inside your house. Knowing how the blinking boxes plugged into your wall work can help you to get the Internet up and running again the next time there's a power outage or connection disruption.
How do I turn off the limit on my router? ›Remove the data limit if one is set.
To do this: Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & Internet > Status . Under the network you're connected to, select Data usage. Select the network connection under Choose a network, and then select Remove limit > Remove.
There's no way to lift an internet bandwidth limit. Not even a VPN can help. The only way around the limit is upgrading to a higher internet plan or switching providers.
How many devices is too many for a router? ›Wondering if you have too many devices on WiFi? Most of the wireless routers and access points state they can support about 250 devices connected at once. This WiFi connection number includes computers, cameras, tablets, mobile smartphones, appliances, and a wide variety of other devices that are now internet-enabled.