Router Overload & Solutions

Sometimes, you may not even realize that your router is overloaded. They can overload just like the rest of our electronics, but what happens with router overload is a little different.  Here, we’ll discuss what router overload is, and why sometimes it might happen, along with some key solutions to assist you with this.

What is Router Overload

Router overload is essentially when your router is handling way too many tasks at once.  For example, let’s say you’ve got your computer streaming something, but also downloading some large files as well. This can occur with multiple devices, and from all of this, it generates heat.  it’s basically handling too many processes, and your router just can’t take it.

Routers usually are strong enough, but they often may be handling too much on one little device.  You may also have the software, hardware, and connectivity issues that follow this, so by understanding why it’s happening and looking at the devices and how they connect, you’ll be able to tackle router overload easily.

The Signs of Router Overload

The signs of router overload usually show themselves in the form of slower internet speeds, and your downloads taking forever.  This affects the entire connection that you have as well, not just the websites that you're downloading from. Usually, this is a sign of either software, or hardware issues too, but if you notice that when you’re visiting the homepage or even doing something high-bandwidth and you just can’t do it on multiple devices, then this is definitely a sign that your router is overloaded.

Some people might also notice that the router is behaving unpredictably, especially shutting down randomly, or even disconnecting the local devices.  You definitely may notice that it comes with overheating rather than just overloading too, since this kind of goes hand in hand.

Sometimes as well, you may notice login issues, where you can’t log in today, and the lights aren’t working. 

If you’re also noticing that you can’t seem to get anything done today, from navigating a homepage to downloading a large file, without the connection dropping off and reconnecting, then chances are your router is overloaded, and you’ll definitely need something. Plus, that’s super annoying to deal with, and we don’t want to deal with going just a few hours before the wireless signal poops out.

So yes, if you notice these symptoms, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting a router solution, and we’ll list these below.

Solution: Getting a New Router

This is usually the first solution. Your router may just have too much going on, and you might notice that it keeps shutting off again and again. You may just need a new router, and that’s not a huge problem. You can try to power cycle, as we’ve touched on before and will go into in the next section, but sometimes your router can’t handle these extra devices.s. if you’re downloading a lot, chances are they’re just making things harder on you, so the solution to this is to get a router that can handle everything that you need to be done, and from there, try to connect this again.

Solution: Shutting down the Router

This is more of a temporary solution, but over time, sometimes this might work.  It works well if you’re dealing with the overheated routers.  What you do is you power cycle by taking it out of the outlet, waiting about half a minute, and then plug it back in. If that doesn’t work, try hard resetting it, and hold it for a few seconds to push it into factory settings.

If it’s not running in an area that’s ventilated, move it somewhere else, and if it’s not hot to the touch, you should be fine. But if it is, you should just shut it off for a bit.

Try unplugging and reattaching the ethernet cables and use spare ones to test whether it’s the router or even the modem.  If you haven’t, you should also check for firmware updates.

Alright, so if you've tried this and still nothing, you’ll need a new router.

Solution: Adding a Second Router

Finally, if you are using more than 10 items to connect, you should consider adding a second router.  Usually, a router at home doesn’t really need to have a secondary router, but if you notice that the home devices are actively using the network too much, this can happen. Sometimes as well, you may not even have issues with the overheating, but instead, it can cause outages in the home network.  that's why sometimes the best solution is to add a second router.

it’s quite easy to do, and often, you can just connect this same router to the modem. If you lie in a big place that often has a lot of devices connected to it, chances are you’ll want to put a second router in place to help with this, and it will make it much easier for you to deal with, and it will help with any connectivity issues that come about from this, and you’d be surprised at the difference it makes in your home devices and connections as well.

When it comes to your router, sometimes you might just be working with far too much on there for the device. When that happens, it’s best if you take your time and actually work to ensure that you have the best results possible with your device, and you can do that with the different solutions here. it’s best if you do learn to understand router overload so you can fix the solution, and do it fast for your devices. 

In conclusion, router overload can be a frustrating issue that impacts your internet experience and disrupts connectivity. Recognizing the signs of overload, such as slower internet speeds and unpredictable router behavior, is crucial for addressing the problem effectively.

Fortunately, there are several solutions available to mitigate router overload. These include investing in a new router capable of handling multiple tasks, power cycling or resetting the router to alleviate overheating issues temporarily and adding a second router to distribute the network load more evenly, especially in larger households with numerous connected devices.

By understanding the causes and symptoms of router overload, individuals can take proactive steps to optimize their router performance and enhance their internet connectivity. Whether it's upgrading to a more robust router or implementing additional networking solutions, resolving router overload ensures a smoother online experience and minimizes disruptions in connectivity for all users.