Can anyone out there help figure out what is going on with my internet connection? We have Suddenlink (have for years) and we don't seem to be able to figure out why we are having issues. They have been out 3 times and found no issues, but came up with unhelpful advice like "Move your router up higher" and "Get a wifi extender" (We already have one).

Our internet just seems to drop the connection at various times throughout the day. I have the modem and router plugged into a designated power switch so it's easy to reset by just turning the power switch off and on. We have to do this multiple times per day because we lose bandwidth and can't stream Netflix or get a good internet signal on our computers. Once we reset it, it's great ... for a little while. Then it goes downhill and we have to do it again and again and again.

We bought a new Netgear modem and a new Netgear router last fall (at separate times) trying to alleviate this problem, but it didn't help. Now we just have a shinier modem and router that we have to reset multiple times a day.

Any help is very, very much appreciated because Suddenlink has pretty mush washed their hands of trying to help us at this point.

Maybe there's interference on the bandwidth the router uses. Common causes include neighbors using same frequencies. Try a different band maybe. If on 2.4 GHz try 5 GHz or vice versa.

If it's got a direct Ethernet plug in the back you can try plugging a laptop in directly when it goes down. That will help tell you if it's wireless interference or not.

Upgrade your modem to a DOCSIS 3.0 (or 3.1 if you want to future-proof) capable modem.

Then, upgrade your router.

Purchase whatever is recommended on http://thewirecutter.com

Don't skimp out.

New Docsys 3.0 modem and new router last fall, so I can't afford to keep repurchasing new ones. I tried to get Suddenlink to help me figure out which ones to buy, but in the three times I called, none of the three different people I spoke with had anything close to a clue.

Can I change the bandwidth on the router myself, like some sort of input I just have to toggle?

I'll check the back and see if I can plug my laptop in the next time it happens (which will probably be this evening) and figure out what happens...

thank you!

How is your speed? Also what all are you running off of Suddenlink?

I am not clear what is not working, internet or WiFi?

I would recommend having some device hardwired to (or can be quickly connected to) the cable modem, so that when "the internet drops" you know for sure if it is the cable modem or your router.

IMO, that's a good question. I'm working on a computer in another room using the router/modem, so I don't know which it is that seems to be dropping the signal and then can't pick it up again. I'm not close enough to the actual modem or router to be able to hard wire into it all day to do my work, but I work online and have to reset numerous times a day because I just seem to have no bandwidth at all (i.e., can't download a PDF like I could a couple of hours earlier or stream)...

Do you have a modem/router combo or are they separate?

Last three days my download speed at night has tanked from about 390 on the speed test, to about .5 to 5.

Works fine in the morning and when I'm home at lunch, but starting around 6:30, it just implodes.

Suddenlink's self test says there is a "weak signal" from the modem, but it has been reporting that for years and until the last few days, it has never been a problem. Speedtests to local or servers in Texas seem to be fine, but going outside of that it just craters.

Normally I can download a major Steam update (1-3GB) in no time, now I'm downloading about 200K.

If I have someone come out, they won't find anything wrong with the lines, or the modem.

I had a similar problem for ages and went through multiple modems and routers. Finally, a technician climbed the pole outside and found the connection on the pole was fried, likely from a lightening strike. If the wind blew the wrong way, our signal would drop. He replaced the connector and we've had good signal ever since.

It's Suddenlink, there is your answer.

Been having a lot of problems with Suddenlinks connection lately both at my house and at my office.

If you want to do some self testing yourself

Next time it happens
Hook you modem directly up to the incoming line outside to bypass all the splitters and coax in your house. If your issue goes away, you know you have an issue inside the house. If he issue still happens hooked directly to the outside incoming coax, then call a tech to come check the connection from your main line to your house.