Connection Issue Likely Due to IP Conflict
Connection Issue Likely Due to IP Conflict
Hello, I recently faced a situation where my main PC, which I use intermittently, showed no internet connection even though it displayed as connected. I thought it might be a virus, but scans with Malwarebytes and Avast-Antivirus came back clean. I considered an IP conflict between my PC and my sister's, both using Cat5e and Cat6 cables, but they usually work together without issues. It’s unusual for the main PC to lose connection randomly despite being online, especially since both devices are DHCP enabled.
Ensure DHCP doesn't cause issues by assigning a fixed IP to your network card that isn't covered by your router's DHCP zone. Check if the problem persists.
I’m noticing it now that I changed my IP address to static. I left my sister’s computer using a USB-to-Wi-Fi adapter for quicker access. It seems the router might be behaving oddly on its LAN ports, giving IP addresses to Ethernet connections. The router itself is quite old, ahahhahaha.
DHCP IP addresses are typically provided by the router. Unless you're manually assigning them on your computer, that shouldn't matter. How are your two computers linked to the router? Which one is it? I've also experienced similar issues—random internet drops often come from the router getting hot, and many older routers struggle with this problem.
Verify the cables and connectors briefly, clean them thoroughly. Address any sharp bends in the cable by straightening them. Windows won’t notice minor internet disconnections unless you reboot the router via the web interface once a day. If an automatic option exists, schedule it for nighttime, such as around 3 A.M., to free up memory—especially the log storage. Change your Wi-Fi channel to avoid interference from neighbors. Using static IP addresses works fine, but consider DHCP with a lease time of 1440 minutes (24 hours) or 86400 seconds (1 day) for better performance. Most importantly, update the router firmware if available—it may resolve many issues.
It’s worth considering if the router might be overheating, especially with multiple devices connected. I’m noticing no issues right now, but running both PCs could put extra strain on either the NIC card or the router.
Networking won’t strain a PC much. If the ad is for a Card, verify it fits snugly in the PCI-express slot. How recent is your computer? Excessive router use might be an issue—consider adding cooling, such as a laptop-style USB fan. If range isn’t important, set transmission power to medium or slightly lower than 100% so it runs efficiently and stays cooler. Your router model suggests it’s not very old.
The computer is around 5 to 6 years old. Last month the router was constantly busy 24/7 without any issues, but it sometimes works okay when I let it rest occasionally. It runs fine with just the built-in NIC card, and I’m thinking about adding an Ethernet adapter if the problem comes from the PC’s internal card.