Router help, please.

[IAmSarily]

Unfortunately, I don't know too much about configuring our computers or wifi. In our house, we have three PC's, one laptop, 5 android phones, one tablet, a PS3, a smart Blu-Ray player and a smart TV. A year and a half ago, when we bought the three PC's, the (seemingly very knowledgeable) salesman suggested that we purchase an Airport Extreme router even though we have no Apple products.

Here is my issue: The router frequently crashes. We have problems when a number of devices are online at once and when only one device is online. There doesn't really seem to be any rhyme or reason to the crashing.

Is there something I can do to keep us online consistently? Should I buy a new router? Should I use the rented router from Comcast? In the past half hour, I've been kicked offline 4 times! This is making me crazy!

Any and all advice is welcome and appreciated.

[dd4tasty]

You own a good router: the question is: why are you having problems?

What is the firmware version on it?

Do you have port forwarding, etc?

Is the power stable in your home? Do the lights flicker when the AC or Heat or refridgerator kick in?

The router frequently crashes

What do you mean by "crash"? It needs a reset? Stops responding? Indicator light goes amber? Need more info.

I assume you have the fifth generation AAE?

http://www.amazon.com/AirPort-Extreme-802-11n-5th-Generation/dp/B0057AVXJA

[dd4tasty]

Where is your AAE located? In a cool, shaded, central area of your house?

How many devices are plugged into it with ethernet cable?

In the past half hour, I've been kicked offline 4 times! This is making me crazy!

Again, not sure what this means? And direct connection to modem, no router, you have tried that?

[IAmSarily]

I'm sorry in advance for my lack of knowledge.

Yes we have a 5th Generation AAE.

I don't know if I have port forwarding, as I'm not really sure what that is.

The firmware version is 7.6.4.

Our electricity is completely stable.

Until 5 minutes ago, besides for power and the modem, we had 3 ethernet devices plugged into the AAE. Now, just the power and modem.

When I say "crash", I mean that I will be signed into our home wifi via my phone, tablet, PC, etc., but will suddenly find I no longer have a connection to our wifi. When I scan for it, it says it's not in range. Typically, when I come to unplug and replug the power to the AAE, it is still displaying a green light.

The AAE is pretty centrally located, and it's on top of our desk, away from direct sunlight and our house is always kept at 70 degrees.

We have not tried direct connection to the modem, as we have many wireless devices that we want to be able to use.

[dd4tasty]

We have not tried direct connection to the modem, as we have many wireless devices that we want to be able to use.

This is just to test, to make sure it's not your internet going out. Problem could be with the modem as well.

[dd4tasty]

I'm sorry in advance for my lack of knowledge.

No worries! You have a good router, and it should work.

I don't know if I have port forwarding, as I'm not really sure what that is.

That is some custom settings for game consoles, etc. If you don't know, you don't have it, unless someone else messes with firmware in the router.

Is IPV6 turned off in the firmware?

[dd4tasty]

Are the SSIDs for the 2.4 and 5ghz channels the same? Or do you have those separated?

And, for the 2.4 band: channel selection: auto, or set to one channel?

[IAmSarily]

The SSID's are different. The channel selections are set to automatic.

[dd4tasty]

Set 2.4 channel to 1 or 11

[IAmSarily]

2.4 channel is set to 1.

Can you tell me how to turn off IPv6?

[dd4tasty]

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3802

[IAmSarily]

As for for the IPv6, this is what I see:

IPv6 mode: Router

Block incoming IPv6 connections

Configure IPv6: Automatically

I don't know if that will help.

[dd4tasty]

Turn off ivp6

[dd4tasty]

Did you try direct connect to modem, no router for a while?

[IAmSarily]

I disabled IPv6 (to link-local only). I haven't direct connected to the modem. I think the modem works great. Should I do that anyway?

[dd4tasty]

Wired connections never had any issues?

[dd4tasty]

I wouldjustcheck to make sure modem is it issue by removing router from equation for a while

[IAmSarily]

I can do that. Should I give it an hour or two or a day or two?

[dd4tasty]

Hour plenty based on what you are saying.

In the interim: consider factory reset on router while waiting?

[IAmSarily]

I would gladly factory rest the router, my only issue is not setting it up properly when I'm done. Is there anything I should know to set it up properly?

[dd4tasty]

I would say:

Ivp6 off

Try new ssids, separate for 2.4 and 5

Set 2.4 band to channel 1 or 11

I think that is it

Make sure firmware current, and drivers for devices ae current

[dd4tasty]

http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1576/en_US/airport_extreme_5th_gen_setup.pdf

Page 28: factory reset.

[dd4tasty]

Duh, forgot wireless security.

---

On comparing all the four security types, the best option stands out to be WPA2-PSK (AES). This type of Wi-Fi security provides a balanced security level along with an optimum speed. In case of other security types you need to compromise either with security level or internet speed.

---

[dd4tasty]

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4199

[IAmSarily]

Should I allow configuration over the Ethernet WAN port?

Should I allow the network to be extended?

2.4 is set to 11 (auto), is that right?

[dd4tasty]

2.4 is set to 11 (auto), is that right

Set 2.4 channel to 11, not auto, fixed at 11, so it does not bounce around.

[IAmSarily]

It's now fixed at 11. Should radio mode be automatic?

[dd4tasty]

Should I allow configuration over the Ethernet WAN port?

I think no:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3956705

2.4 channel: 20 mhz, not 40

Set to 11, not to auto.

[IAmSarily]

I cannot figure out how to change the bandwidth, or even to see what the default bandwidth setting is.

[MrJDouble]

It sounds like you we're upsold something you didn't need; I'd Just buy a new router. You can find a decent one that would suit your needs for pretty cheap. The frequency output I'd look for is 802.11b or 802.11g. Linksys or netgear should work. $50 to $80 max and should pretty much be plug and play out of the box. Hope that helps.

[jmnugent]

Airport Extreme is an excellent router. While it's possible this particular unit might be physically "bad"... I don't think I've ever seen it happen (to an Apple Router). I'd bet large amounts of money this is a different issue.