Is my router going bad?
Is my router going bad?
I have a TP Link Archer C50 router that's been connected via a fibre modem for about a month. It suddenly stops working properly. When it loses internet, opening the router settings at 192.168.1.1 takes around five minutes. After restarting, it remains non-functional. If I disconnect the power supply and reconnect it, everything works again with fast page loads. This issue happens repeatedly over a couple of days. The device isn't overheating or damaged despite good ventilation, and I've had a PC fan installed underneath it since day one. It seems to be deteriorating. The latest firmware is installed, but I can't provide proof for warranty claims. Could you help clarify what's going on? Thank you!
Have you checked for any firmware updates? A new version might have caused issues. Alternatively, the power supply unit could be failing, which wouldn't be resolved by restarting. If performance worsens over time, I'd consider it defective and push for a replacement. A software problem would also affect replacements, which is another concern. Regardless, stability seems key—especially after 11 months of normal operation. An ISP issue shouldn’t slow the UI down, particularly after a reboot.
Thanks for your response! PSU seemed to be functioning properly initially. I verified it was delivering 9V as rated. I also added a 16-ohm resistor and confirmed no voltage drop occurred. So far, everything appears to be working well. The router's wireless chip reached high temperatures—83°C—and the CPU stayed at 65°C during idle. I addressed this by adding heatsinks for both components using Raspberry Pi solutions. After a few days, performance improved significantly. I didn’t notice any increase in latency, and page loads became much smoother, especially with the fiber connection. The router handled heavy traffic without issues. I’m planning to void the warranty now. Photos attached for reference.
I remain worried because it seems to be occurring only now. I’m unsure if that PSU is truly stable without a scope, or if the capacitors in the router are failing. It’s possible these issues could lead to overheating of the chips since voltage regulation might no longer meet specifications. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not an expert, but I’ve fixed routers before just by swapping out the capacitors.