When should you replace your Wi-Fi router?

Routers are designed to last for several years’ trouble free. However, dust, wear and tear can cause your router to breakdown prematurely. Most of the time what you call router failure may just be a simple case of cable disconnections or something you can easily repair.

The evolution of router technology has necessitated the concept of replacing existing Wi-Fi routers every four to five years.While this is not standard, it gives one sufficient time to take advantage of new technologies. However, you may find yourself replacing your router earlier than this when you start experiencing constant loss of connectivity and range, indicator lights stop blinking, or the router becomes completely unresponsive.

Smart phones keep advancing by the years and this has necessitated faster routers that are capable of keeping up with the speed requirements of some of this devices. You know it is time to replace your existing Wi-Fi router when you experience any of the following:

Multiple frequency bands

You know you have an old router when it can only transmit through one band (mostly 2.4GHz frequency). An outdated router that operates on only one frequency is troublesome when you have multiple devices fighting for bandwidth. In this instance, the router is outdated and you will experience various bottlenecks as you try to upload and download large media files. The norm is for routers to have more than two radio frequencies – 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

With two frequencies you can split your Wi-Fi networks. In this scenario, the 2.4GHz can be used for transmitting over long distances while the 5GHz can be used for short distances and your latest gadgets. So, if you are still using a Wi-Fi router that still operates on one frequency it is time to upgrade otherwise your devices won’t be able to keep up with the slow speeds.

Router standards

Wireless network transmissions (Wi-Fi)are often classified in standards. At the start there was the 802.11g then upgrades where made to 802.11.n and then the 802.11.ac. Today, we have the 8011.ax or Wi-Fi 6. You know it is time to replace your Wi-Fi router when you notice that your devices demand higher speeds than what you currently have. 802.11.ac for example is up to three times faster than the 802.11n.  Most smartphones that have been released support 802.11ac and above. Changing your router for the latest standard ensures that you enjoy the longest ranges and speeds.

Sudden stoppage

If you are surfing the internet and all of a sudden your internet connection goes missing then know it is time to replace your existing router. Most of the time a sudden router stoppage can be attributed to power line interruptions. You should thoroughly check your wiring for any loss of connection. If the problem is not with the power cables then it could be that your router has serious internal problems. If you have been using your router for some time the best thing would be to replace it rather than repairs. A router that losses power frequently or does not power at all is one that you need to replace.

Loss of connectivity

If you notice that you are experiencing frequent losses in connectivity then it is time you replace your router. The connection could be working all fine then all of a sudden it gets cut out. A check of the indicator lights will reveal that all is working fine but when you try to log in to the internet there is not connection. In some instances, simply restarting your router will restore your internet back but if this fails or the lack of connectivity persists for days, then know your router has outlived its purpose. Lack of connectivity can also be caused by faulty Ethernet cables so you may need to purchase a new one and see how it performs before replacing your router with a new one.

Heat stress

Routers do come with air vents to cool down internal components, however, after sometime these vents do become clogged with dust hence preventing the router from functioning well. Heat stress is not an automatic need to purchase a new router. When air vents get clogged with dust you can clean the router with compressed air. You can do this once every month. You will know it is time to replace the router if the heat stress persists even after cleaning it off dust or placing it in an aerated place. Once you purchase a new router try as much as possible not to place it on the ground. Always find some elevated place and position it vertically.

Random reboots

It is normal to reboot your router. This helps fix some hardware problems. However, if you find your router constantly rebooting then you know it is breaking down and in need of replacement. The router consists of processors and RAM which when they break down there is little you can do to repair it.

You may also notice that a router that is need of replacement losses its configuration more often than not. Most of the router internal configuration is stored in the flash memory. If you notice that every time there is a power cycle it goes back to the default factory configurations ignoring your settings. Replacing the flash memory is complicated and you will find yourself replacing the router.

When to replace your router

Conclusion

It is not always the case that when your router fails to power up that you replace it. Before replacing you may want to rule out any human errors like not connecting your cables well, dust issues, or failure to switch on the Wi-Fi button. If your router internal components are compromised replacement makes more sense than repair.

FAQ

Do Wi-Fi routers wear out?

Yes, they do mainly from something called heat stress. This leads to damage of most internal components and wires. Such a router will need to be replaced.

How do I know that I need to update my router?

If you go to the advanced settings for most routers and click administration you will know whether there is an available firmware for your router or not. If an update is available just click “Update” and it will automatically replace your old one.