G+_Mark Messiha Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Need some router help. So my Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 got a little weird after flipping the breaker for that room to replace a wall plug. The 5GHz network only works now if you're standing right next to the router. It used to work great throughout the house. The wall plug replaced was not the one that the router used. The 2.4GHz network works fine but obviously doesn't have the speed that the other network had. A few questions: 1) Did I do this by forgetting to shut off the router before flipping the breaker? 2) I've rebooted the router, factory resetted the router, and done a firmware update to no effect. Would/ could putting open source firmware fix this? Netgear wants 90 bucks to do phone support with this thing which I'm not really ready to pay. They reimburse you if it becomes a hardware replacement thing but I'm kinda turned off by them at this point. Thanks Know How community! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Black Merc Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 More info. on the replacement wall plug. Example... Did it have a usb charger or other special built-in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mark Messiha Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share Posted August 20, 2017 Black Merc nope. Just a regular plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_DigitalMatrixIO (Eric L Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 5Ghz typically does not "work great throughout the house". Are you sure you were not actually connecting to a 2.4 GHz network that had "5 GHz" or something similar in the name? I ask cause I have made the same mistake of deploying an AP and not setting up the 5GHz name to only be on the 5Ghz channel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mark Messiha Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share Posted August 20, 2017 DigitalMatrixIO positive. I was initially very impressed with how well it did broadcasting the 5GHz network throughout the house. In fact I burned through a bit of my data plan because I didn't have the 2.4GHz network saved on my phone. It's a really good router till it breaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_DigitalMatrixIO (Eric L Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Honestly wouldn't surprise me if the Circuit being turned on with it connected caused something bad to happen. I have noticed my routers seem to work more reliabily now that I have had them connected to a UPS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mark Messiha Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share Posted August 20, 2017 DigitalMatrixIO is there a difference between flipping that breaker off and having an external power outage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_DigitalMatrixIO (Eric L Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Mark Messiha B/w turning it back on? probably not. That's why I brought it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mark Messiha Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share Posted August 20, 2017 Yeah it's survived maybe 3 or 4 power outages with no problems prior to doing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John Sullivan Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 as to your question is there a difference between flipping the breaker off and having a power failure: No, it's the same effect. I believe it is just coincidental that the router decided to start acting up after you turned the power off, then back on. Yes, sometimes electrical stuff does weird things, but in your case, I think the router is just failing. As for $90 for phone support, what phone support do you feel you need? You've already done what a phone support person would tell you, other than send it in. Is it in warranty? do you feel like sending it in? what will you use in the meantime? What will they charge if you send it to them to have it checked out, and give you an estimate of repairs? Is it worth that, or would you rather just buy a new router (with a new warranty)? I would probably go with the latter. ps. did you buy it with a credit card? sometimes CC companies will double the warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Brown Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Silly question, but did you verify all the antennas are screwed on all the way? (If they're even removable, that is) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mark Messiha Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share Posted August 20, 2017 Jason Brown just checked em. Seem to be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Black Merc Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 The only other thing I can think of is a power spike did something to the router. It don't even have to be a big spike to do damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Tyger Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Mark Messiha? Why did the breaker flip? Was just that you flipped the wrong breaker or did the breaker pop for a power reason ? If it popped for a power reason the power flux may have messed with the DC converter or even the router hardware itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Tyger Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Mark Messiha? make sure your antenna is actually broadcasting. If you have an android phone use 'wifi analyser' to see if your can find your router broadcasting in the expected ranges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mark Messiha Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 Ben Tyger we shut the breaker off to change out a wall plug at another spot in the house. The wall plug and router were on the same breaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Black Merc Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 How cheap was the replacement wall plug? Did you use the screw terminals(as opposed to the slide-in holes on some types)? Reason: low quality components, and poor connections can generate noise(many forms) that may interfere with radio signals. Want proof... Take a portable AM radio around any room in the house. Almost guaranteed to hear noise from everywhere a switching function or bad connection is in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Tyger Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Mark Messiha I would try to get a wall wart replacement as Black Merc suggests. Even if the wall wart is working, it may not be working properly and having voltage or amperage problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Golden Retriever Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Hold on, check the wires on the new plug, if you have pinched the A.C. wiring isolator in a screw terminal, it could be preventing a good connection and generating noise in the home, for example arcking can generate a ton of RF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mark Messiha Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 Tod Sage it might be a day or two till I can look at it but for what it's worth I use power line networking and while it doesn't work great throughout the house it's speed haven't changed any. Is what you described dangerous for daily use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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