There is a method to switch your PC's internet connections automatically when the connection drops.
There is a method to switch your PC's internet connections automatically when the connection drops.
Hi, I’m dealing with some issues from my ISP that often disrupt the network. Changing providers isn’t a solution since they’re my only choice. I also have a phone that lets me move my internet connection via USB. When transferring large files, if the connection drops, I lose everything and have to switch back to my phone. Is there a way to automate this so I never lose progress?
I believe you might be addressing the incorrect issue. Even with a download server that supports resuming, they usually rely on your IP address, so switching to a second connection won’t guarantee a stable IP, which could disrupt the download. You’d need a VPN or similar method to keep your IP consistent for the server. Disregard any unclear text; it didn’t provide useful information. Resuming a download is a server-specific feature—consider using Chrome, Edge, or Firefox built-in managers to resume when the connection restores. If possible, try third-party tools like DownThemAll or Free Download Manager to see if they resolve your problem.
Use wget or curl with the -c option to resume downloads after interruption. Both tools handle interrupted transfers well, and curl also supports SSL encryption for secure connections. For example, running curl -c https://example.org/file.iso/ > /downloadsfolder avoids saving the file if interrupted. You can also try wget for similar results. This method works in Termux on Android and keeps progressing despite network issues.
Uncertain about your point, but restarting a download isn't related to your IP address. The server just needs to allow resuming; it doesn’t know your progress. The IP becomes an issue only if the server has a front-end like a CAPTCHA that gives a one-time link, which usually can’t be resumed. Regular services such as Steam, Xbox, PSN work okay after a drop, and tools like wget or curl will continue the download instead of restarting.
Alright, understood. So the best approach would be sticking with the current solutions since a seamless setup isn't straightforward. You'd need two WAN ethernet connections linked to a router that handles multiple WANs, like an ISP, and set up failover automatically. A second connection via USB doesn’t have many apps that manage this. Personally, I use an Edgerouter-X for easy automatic switching between my 5G home internet and DSL, even though DSL is slow in my rural area.
I appreciate the clarification. It seems I blended several unrelated ideas—like TCP retries, client-side resumption, and download manager behavior during WAN failures. The revised post now centers on the simpler point: using a download manager is more straightforward than managing dual-WAN failovers.
I've practiced similar tricks many times before. Luckily, having dual-WAN made me comfortable with the idea. This was actually one of the reasons I chose pfSense for my router—it's much easier to manage than other options.