Just been onto o2 again. They just say change the channel as it may be interference. I have changed it 6 times & still the problem happens. o2 say until they change the channel themselves 6 times they won't do anything else. They also said they doubt it would be a gaming problem.

Is the router getting very hot?

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Is the router getting very hot?

Its just warm.

o2 say they want to change a channel each day (13 channels) & only if the fault persists will they take it further. They used to be so helpful but nowadays their help is very bad.

Presumable you are with O2 like I'm currently. May I ask what version of the O2 supplied Modem/Router you're using?? I used to have the OLD Thompson V2 from O2 and had experienced similar WiFi dropout problems as yours in that very occasionally my Tablet(not Ipad) and a particular one of my laptops would dropout their wireless connections(using WAP2), and could only reconnect if I rebooted them very occasionally(getting to the point of annoying). I was initially thinking that was due to my CHEAP tablet had a dodgy wireless design. However when O2 replaced my V2 with their latest V5 modem/router a few months back, all my wireless dropouts had suddenly been resolved on its own with same wireless protocol and channel!!
As such if you're with O2 and are using their older version of modem/router and wireless, it is wise to try O2's latest V5 hardware, as least you can rule out whether you may have a dodgy modem/router !! O2 should still be replacing with V5 modem/router FREE unless they have changed their condition now!
Just a thought

Edited by deleted (Fri 11-May-12 11:25:21)

And changing wireless channels from 1 to 2 to three etc makes no sense either!

1, 6 and 13 are the "recommended" channels to use - the others just overlap each other.

Get a decent router?

EDIT: Typo - was 1, 1 and 13!

Edited by greenglide (Fri 11-May-12 12:54:07)

1, 6 and 11 are non-overlapping chanels most commonly recomended, 1, 7 & 13 obviously also don't overlap but quite a few wireless devices do not use chanels 12 or 13 (which are not approved in USA) so these two may cause problems anyway.

Edited by deleted (Fri 11-May-12 12:49:39)

The OP has stated that "cant access internet" when this occurs.

Are all the laptops still connect to the wireless network? If the wireless is still connected but the internet isnt accesible this looks like some kind of problem with the router.

This sounds identical to what happens if you use torrents and exceed the number of concurrent connections the router will support.

Are the games played on-line? Are you "certain" that no one is using torrents?

Is the firewall in the router switched on? You could switch it off and see if that makes a difference - it usually helps if it is a torrent like problem.

Uh?

The reason for changing channels is to avoid, or at least minimise, overlap with other wireless users within reach. So the initial idea of changing channel 1 at a time is perfectly sensible. It falls down however as it ignores the fact that at any time other routers may start or stop using proximate channels.

Using the "recommended" 1, 6, 13, (many don't go above 11), merely shows the ignorance of whoever that recommendation comes from. (Not meaning you, I'm meaning any earlier source. It's another internet myth). If everyone used those channels then the interference from and to neighbouring routers would be maximised.

On Windows machines InSSIDer is an excellent tool for seeing what else is around, and how strong a signal, in real-time. Checking there lets you pick the cleanest available at the time, though after a while you get to know which come and go a lot.

Spread is about 2 channels either side of the chosen one. An increasing number of people are now using bonded channels, with the increasing use of "n" wireless. The secondary channel is 4 away from the selected one, giving an overall spread of 7 channels. I can see three right now, 1+5, 6+2, 13+9.

Edit - I reckon O2 are wasting time on this track.

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 11-May-12 14:45:10)

Log into the router with "superuser" priveleges and configure each connected device to always use the same IP.

to see if channels are in use, get a copy of 'InSSIDer'
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InSSIDer