Why Is My Netgear Router Not Working?

There are a lot of meanings that could be derived from the phrase, “My Netgear router is not working.” It could be that the router isn’t connecting to the internet, or it wasn’t properly set up, or the speed is too slow, among many other reasons. Some common reasons could be hardware issues, IP address issues, outdated firmware, among others. As such the cause and solution to the problem will depend on what the issue is and what you define as ‘the router is not working.

Netgear is a well-known brand. It’s popular for the quality it delivers an excellent performance it promises with each of its devices. Although the brand produces several gadgets including modems and switches, they are most known for their top-notch routers. Netgear routers are built with precision and are among the leading choice for many individuals around the world.

Despite their high quality and top-performance, it’s not unlikely that you will run into one issue or another as a user. This is normal with all routers regardless of the quality. So, what happens if your Netgear router won’t work? What could be the problem and how do you fix it? In this article, we will cover all of these concerns by looking at the main problems you could face with your router, the causes, and how you can solve them.

Why Your Netgear Is Not Working – How To Fix It.

When most Netgear users talk about their routers not working, they are mostly referring to it not being able to connect to the internet. There are many reasons for this, all of which we will discuss below along with the solution on how to fix the problem. The reasons are as follows:

Incorrect Password.

Passwords are important to safeguard your network from cyber threats when browsing the internet. That is why it is recommended that you change your passwords as often as possible. That way, your network won’t be easily hacked. The problem is, sometimes amidst all the password changes, one might get confused or forget the password they used last. Entering the wrong password may prevent you from accessing the internet.

Solution: The answer to this problem is to reset your password. It is recommended that during setup, you enable password reset when you change your password, that way you can easily reset it when you forget your password. If you enabled reset, then you can reset your password by accessing your router’s web interface by following these steps:

• Launch your browser and key in routerlogin.net in the address bar.
• A login page will come up, click on Cancel.
• You’ll be prompted to key in the router’s serial number (on the product label).
• Once you’ve keyed in the serial number, click on Continue.
• A page will appear requesting answers to your set security question.
• Key in the answers and click on Continue.
• A new reset page will appear, key in your new password, and confirm.
• Key in the same or new security questions.
• Now click on Next and you have successfully reset your password.
• You can try accessing the internet with the new password.

Out-dated firmware.

Over time, Netgear keeps releasing new updates for the devices to solve problems users report. These updates are meant to improve the performance of the device, in this case, your router. Updating your router is therefore recommended. It should be done as frequently as needed. Failure to do this could cause glitches and possible failures in the router especially if the outdated firmware is no longer supported.

Solution: For this problem, the solution is to update your firmware. To do this you must first confirm whether there are any new updates by checking the Netgear website. If there are, then you can update the firmware using the following steps:

• First, log in to your router through your web browser.
• On the Home page, click on Settings>Administration or Advanced>Administration
• Under Administration, select, Router update or Firmware update.
• Click on Check
• Click on Yes if the router finds available updates.
• The router will restart to begin the updates.
• This may take a few minutes, so, avoid doing anything or turning off the router until the restart process is complete.

Improper Set Up

When your Netgear router is new, you will need to set it up and carry out certain installations. Luckily most of their routers are easy to set up and all of them come with a manual you can follow. There is also the Netgear Nighthawk application which is the easiest way to set up your router. Still, you may have made a mistake when setting up. As a result, that may be the reason why your router is not working.

Solution: To solve this issue you must first perform a factory reset to return your router settings to defaults. Then you can use your Nighthawk application to set up the router correctly. Use the following steps:

First, download the Nighthawk app.

For factory reset

• Locate and press the Reset or Reset Factory Settings button (Use a paper clip).
• Hold it for 7 seconds.
• When all the lights are blinking together release the button.
• Wait for 20-30 seconds for the router to restart with the default settings.

For Setting Up.

• Note down the router SSID and password (at the back or bottom of the router)
• On your Mobile device tap on Settings and select Wi-Fi.
• Connect your mobile device to the router’s Wi-Fi.
• Open the Nighthawk app on your mobile device.
• Follow the instructions on the app to install and set up your router.

If your router model is not supported by the app, you can set up the router using a computer.

Hardware Issues

Sometimes the hardware might be the reason why your Netgear router isn’t working. This refers to the modem, antennas, and cables. It could be that these components aren’t properly connected or that they are faulty. The modem is important because the router needs it to access the internet from the Internet Service Provider (ISP). The antennas are important because they create streams through which data is shared via radio channels. In a wired network, the cables are also important in data transfer between the router and devices in the network. If any of these components aren’t working, then there will be an issue with communication between the router, ISP, and devices in the network.

Solution: This problem can be easily solved by replacing the faulty hardware components. But first, your must check to see that the components are properly set up. The modem should be securely connected to the yellow internet port using an ethernet cable. Ensure the cables are not twisted or cut and that the antennas are working properly.

Other general troubleshoot fixes you can try if your Netgear router is not working are as follows:

Restart the router. This will solve the temporary technical glitches. To do this unplug the router, wait for 30 seconds and plug it back in, and power it on.

Remove as many obstacles as possible. Sometimes physical objects like walls or other electronics can obstruct wireless signals. Try putting the router in a central place away from obstacles. You can also move closer to the router or consider adding WiFi extenders to your network.

Change the DNS servers. If the DNS server is offline or corrupt, you wouldn’t be able to access the web. Try connecting to a public DNS server to solve the problem.

Change your WiFi channel. Your internet might be slow if many devices are using the same channel. Try splitting the devices between 2.5GHz and 5GHz depending on the best wireless channel for the device.

Conclusion:

While the problems mentioned in this article are causes for the Netgear router not working, in some cases, it could be that the router isn’t coming on. In such a case, you need to ensure that the power source you connected your router to, is working. If it is and the router still won’t come on then you should contact Netgear customer support for assistance as the router might be dead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.    How do I know if my router is broken?

If your WiFi range and speed keep worsening, this is a sure sign your router might be breaking down. You should think of repairing or upgrading your router if you notice these signs.

2.    How long should a router last?

The average lifespan of a router today is around 5 years. Upgrading your router within this time ensures that you will always enjoy great features and excellent performance.