No internet through Router?

Question

Important:  Signal is coming from Modem (so please don't tell me to call my ISP)  I'm looking for someone with extensive knowledge, so if you're going to tell me to hire Geek Squad or something like that, please don't waste your time.  I need step by step problem-solving advice.

Here's the issue:
Internet and wi-fi was working fine, then suddenly we were unable to access the internet.  For some reason it spontaneously stopped working.  I need to know how to fix it.  Please read entire question before answering.

Here is what I've been able to confirm:
1) Signal is coming to Modem.  I can connect a cable from the back of the modem to a computer and can access the internet that way.  It's not satisfactory since it's only one device and I need wi-fi access to 3 computers, 2 cell phones, 2 streaming devices, and a tablet PC so 1 outlet on an RJ45 cable is not a solution.
2) Router is broadcasting a signal and I can connect to the home network via the router, but have no internet access via wi-fi
3) If I run a RJ45 from Modem to Router and another from Router to PC, I have no internet access.  The Router is stopping the internet signal
4) I have reset the router, rebooted the router, rebooted modem, rebooted computer, none of those actions have resolved the problem.  I've also tested different cables.
5) I have also hooked up a different router and had exactly the same result
6) The routers were both current models (Netgear and Linksys), both less than a year old
8) the Modem is a SB6121 Motorola - also less than a year old.
9) I repeat, the signal is coming through the modem fine, it seems to be an issue with the router but I don't know how to fix it, and the ISP's responsibility ends with getting the signal to the modem.
10) I'm running Windows 8, so if possible give me instructions for that platform if possible, though I can disconnect this and hook up an older computer running XP if necessary.

Please help.  I am out of work and have no funds to have a pro come in to fix this.

Thank you for your help!

Andrew · Accepted Answer

1. access your router via web browser
2. go to your security settings, find out what you have it set to 64 bit wep, 128 bit wep, wpa/psk etc.
3. remember it, now find your "ssid/ channel" settings and go to them
4. make sure you are broadcasting your ssid (the name of your netwok)

6. from your laptop, go to your ssid as if you were gonna try to log into it, right click it and select properties
7. go to the "security" tab
8. set your security type to "shared" (may be different depending on your security setting) and manually type in your password into the box

....this is all just a trouble shooting possibility

***note
start with a 64 bit wep encryption on your router, and then make the connection changes on your laptop manually. if it works, you can then try upping it to a more secure encryption type

Anonymous · Answer

Doesn't make much sense to me, unless both routers are bad which is unlikely.

Let's try and simplify the problem and work from there.

Forget about wireless connections for the moment.

If you can connect a PC or laptop directly to the modem and get Internet then the modem and Internet connection (ISP) are good.

Now while you have this working, a single computer connected via Ethernet to the modem, you can verify that all of your Ethernet cables are good. Test them one at a time and make sure that they all function by using them to connect the modem to the computer.

Now, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the computer and plug it into the port labeled WAN or Internet on one of your routers. You now have the modem connected to the router.

Use one of your known good Ethernet cables and connect the computer that you just used to one of the LAN ports on the router.

Follow this procedure:

Unplug power cables on the router and modem.

First plug in the modem and wait a minute or two for to establish a Internet connection.

Now plug in the router

Reboot the PC. (This is required to have the DHCP service on the router assign a IP address to the PC.)

Do you have Internet?

If not be sure that the PC network settings are set for automatic IP and DNS and that any firewall settings allow the range of your home network.

Once you get the wired connections working then you can work on the wireless connections which require security configuration.

EDIT:
Sounds like the router is bad or misconfigured.

You need to log into the router to set it up. Configuration does not require WAN (Internet) access only LAN access via Ethernet.

Download the manual if you don't have one. You'll have to do a Internet search for your specific model and include the terms "manual" or "setup" in your search.

Connect a PC or laptop via Ethernet to one of the router's LAN ports and follow the instructions in the manual to set it up.

Connecting involves typing the router's IP address into a computer browser from an Ethernet connected PC. IE: http://192.168.1.1 if this is your router's IP.

If you don't know the login password you'll have to reset the router to factory default state. The instructions and default password will also be in the manual.

You can reconfigure your router's settings. Be sure to change the default password for security.

Wireless connections require configuration to prevent anyone with a WiFi in range of your router from connecting to your network. They could do malicious deeds, such as hack into your network, or just leech off of your Internet bandwidth.

Wireless setup is not too difficult, Just follow the instructions in the manual. If you're having problems either pay someone to set it up for you or find a knowledgeable friend to configure it. Once the wireless network settings are configured it's a fairly trouble-free system.

Once it's setup you can disconnect the Ethernet cable and use the wireless connection.

Good Luck...

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No internet through Router?

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