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 overloaded router? ›
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.
What causes Wi-Fi overload? ›The Network Is Overloaded
If the test shows a significantly slower speed than you pay your internet service provider (ISP) for, there's either a problem with your modem or router or you're using too many devices on your network at once. The first thing to do is take some of the devices off of the network.
Step 1: Unplug the modem and router from the power outlet. Step 2: Wait at least 15 seconds. Step 3: Plug the modem back into the power outlet first, wait 1-2 minutes, then it's time to power on the router. Step 4: Wait for all panel lights on your cable modem to become green on before testing your internet connection.
Why is my router not connecting to the 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.
Can too many wireless devices overload a router? ›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.
How do you fix router problems? ›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.
What are the signs of a router going out? ›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.
Turn on every device that uses the internet at the same time, and check load times for an internet search. This will help determine the router's overall capacity. A slow and sluggish load time response most likely indicates router overload.
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.
Is there a way to test my router? ›
In summary, to test the performance of your wireless router, you can use simple speed test tools available on Android and iOS or a more comprehensive network monitoring tool such as Network Watcher, Pulseway, or Atera.
How long do Wi-Fi routers usually last? ›Router age
If you can't remember the last time you got a new router, it's probably well out of date. 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.
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 should I unplug to reset my router? ›Unplug the router first, then unplug the modem. Neither of them have power buttons, so it's a matter of pulling the power cord out of the back of the modem or router. Leave the devices unplugged for 30 seconds, then plug the modem back in followed by the router.
What happens if I 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 get my router back online? ›- 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.
...
Steps to Reboot a Router and Modem
- Unplug the router and the modem. ...
- Wait at least 30 seconds. ...
- Plug in the modem. ...
- Wait at least 60 seconds. ...
- Plug in the router. ...
- Wait at least 2 minutes. ...
- When the router and modem restart, test to see if the problem went away.
- Open the Google Home app .
- Tap Wi-Fi .
- At the top, tap Devices.
- Tap a specific device and a tab to find additional details. Speed: Real time usage is how much data your device is currently using.
Having too many connected devices will not necessarily crash your Router, but it can definitely have an impact on performance and connectivity. Issues will generally include delayed load times, buffering, latency and occasionally having to reconnect devices to compete for bandwidth.
Can a Wi-Fi network have too many devices? ›You may have too many devices on your wifi. While many systems claim to support around 250 devices at one time, it's not recommended that you do so. You may still be able to access the internet but you'll likely experience poor connectivity.
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 do I know if my modem or router is dying? ›- Connection indicator lights have turned off even if you can still surf the web.
- Data transfers/downloads are slow.
- The connection speeds are slow.
- The modem is making a lot of loud or weird noises.
- The modem turns off or stops functioning.
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 you check the connection of a network? ›Select the Start button, then type settings. Select Settings > Network & internet. The status of your network connection will appear at the top.
How do I test my home network? ›Testing your connection speeds
You can use free web services like speedtest.net or fast.com to get detailed statistics for your download speeds, upload speeds, and ping. Don't worry if your download speeds are higher than your upload speeds since that's actually pretty common.
Routers are special because they have two IP addresses. An IP address is assigned to each of the router's two “interfaces”. The first router interface is called the WAN (Wide Area Network) interface.
How many wireless devices can I connect to my router? ›How Many Devices Can Connect to My Wi-Fi Network? Typically, most wireless devices can connect up to 255 devices simultaneously from a single access point on your Wi-Fi network.
How many Wi-Fi connections can my 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 often do you need to replace your router? ›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.
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.
Is it OK to keep WiFi router on all the time? ›
Can WiFi router stay on all the time? The Short Answer: Simply put, you can indeed run your WiFi router 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. These devices often feature passive cooling and won't overheat with constant running. Manufacturers do design these products to run without shutting down.
Do routers need to be updated? ›Keeping your WIFI router up to date with the latest firmware and security patches, is a critical part of cybersecurity and digital safety at home. Keeping your WIFI router up to date, will help protect your family, school and work from cyber-attacks, while schooling and working at home.
Why do I have to restart my router every day? ›The benefits of regularly rebooting your router are twofold. If you want a faster connection, you should be regularly turning your router on and off. According to Consumer Reports, your Internet provider assigns a temporary IP address to each of your devices which can change at any time.
What happens when I press the WPS button on my router? ›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.
“In general, it's a great idea to reboot the main internet router every couple of months. A router reboot can fix certain Internet connectivity issues, from no Internet connectivity to slow wireless connections, and should be one of your first troubleshooting steps in a home or consumer environment.
Does turning your router on and off damage it? ›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.
The best way to clean your router physically is with Lysol or Clorox fluids, which are known to kill 99.9% of germs. Spray this disinfectant cleaner onto a paper towel and wipe down all outer surfaces of the router. Allow it to air-dry.
Where is the router reset button? ›- Make sure your router is plugged in.
- Find the reset button (usually inside a tiny hole on the back).
- Insert a paperclip into the hole to hold down the button for 30 seconds.
- Release the button, and wait for your router to power back on.
That's just a manual reset button. It will cause the router to reset and redownload the settings.
Should I push the reset button on my router? ›So when should you press the Reset button? 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.
How do I remove limits from my router? ›
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 are 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.
How do I know if my router is blown? ›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.
Arguably, router buffers are the single biggest contributor to uncertainty in the Inter- net. Buffers cause queueing delay and delay-variance; when they overflow they cause packet loss, and when they under- flow they can degrade throughput.
Why does my router say limited? ›Limited connection means that the system has successfully connected to the router, but the computer wasn't assigned a valid IP address, so you can't actually get to the Internet. It can also indicate that a valid IP address was assigned but that the computer doesn't have Internet connectivity.
How do I increase my Wi-Fi limit? ›- Clear up your device. Remove any unnecessary files and clear your caches. ...
- Reduce the number of devices connected to your network. They'll all be competing for bandwidth;
- Use an ethernet cable. ...
- Check your router. ...
- Update your drivers on your connected devices.
...
Find the router's IP address on Android or iOS
- Tap on Wi-Fi.
- Make sure your phone is connected to your router's Wi-Fi network.
- Tap the 'i' to the right of the network name.
- Your router's IP address is shown next to '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 many Wi-Fi connections 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 you know when you need a new router? ›The easiest way to tell if your router needs replacing is slow WiFi. That could mean long loading times for web pages, pixelated or laggy video streams, trouble uploading documents, or a wide range of other issues. Try an internet speed test to determine if you're lagging behind.
How do I know if my router is bad or my modem? ›
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.
Does rebooting a router help with buffering? ›If web pages aren't loading or streaming video keeps buffering, resetting your router and modem is one of the first things you should try, as it can fix a slew of Wi-Fi or Internet connection problems. This works just like rebooting your Windows PC when you're having issues.
Does Wi-Fi cause buffering? ›Poor Wi-Fi Can Cause Buffering
Typically a slow or unreliable Wi-Fi network in the home can be the cause of video buffering on streaming devices. One way to avoid this is to make sure your home network maintains consistent minimum speeds.
Once the buffering capacity is exceeded the rate of pH change quickly jumps. This occurs because the conjugate acid or base has been depleted through neutralization. This principle implies that a larger amount of conjugate acid or base will have a greater buffering capacity.