DNS Error problem

Hi All,

I have had previous issues with gaining internet access despite being successfully connected to the router. Turning everything off and rebooting the router has helped before but not this time. It's been OK for a while but it's crept back again and I'm almost tearing my hair out. (I'm not as it happens as I realise I mustn't play with a dwindling resource).

My main PC is working OK. However, my laptop and my PS3 and now my partner's Samsung Galaxy 3 phone no longer have internet access. The laptop fails with both wireless and LAN connections to the router. The PS3 is wireless. The laptop and PS3 both report that there is a problem accessing the DNS server. Clearly the issue does not centre on the individual devices as it's affecting all at the same time.

Any suggestions?

ISP is Plusnet fibre, router is an ASUS RT-N66U

Tried the latest firmware? Have you "adjusted" anything in the router related to DNS etc? Or put anything static in?

Hi,

As far as I'm aware I haven't changed anything. The router is up to date.

OK on the affected devices can you

a) Do an ipconfig /all and post the output here
b) Can you ping the default gateway?
c) Can you ping 8.8.8.8?
d) Can you ping www.google.com?

Router looks to be broken. Suggest you use a spare, borrow or buy a cheap one to test.

In reply to a post by iand:

Router looks to be broken. Suggest you use a spare, borrow or buy a cheap one to test.

The router is actually a new one and has worked fine for the few weeks I have had it. I have however now 'sorted' the problem. I have disconnected a LAN connection to one PC and the whole DNS problem has disappeared. Not sure what was going on there but leaving that PC disconnected isn't an issue as it was very rarely used.

good to hear you have this sorted. I assume you tested the port the pc was plugged into to make sure its not the router port that's gone faulty rather than the connected PC or connection cable. Now is a good time to get a replacement router if it has gone wrong.

Anyway.... you are sorted, which is the main thing.

Sounds suspiciously like the old PC may have been set up for Internet Connection Sharing which would not be so unusual if for example it was the first computer to be on broadband using a USB modem.

Reason this would cause problems is that it would be offering DHCP and DNS services to the network (acting like a second router with no internet connection).

Now thats an interesting thought