Is my RT-N66U dying

[Vandergraff]

In the last couple of days I have started having issues with the wired LAN ports on my RT-N66U.

Devices/switch that having been working perfectly for years are now losing connectivity.

I was running John's latest fork (which I updated to also a couple of days ago). Went back to John's earlier version, did a factory reset and then tried Merlin's latest version - but the issue doesn't change with the firmware.

Looking in Tools LAN 2 and 4 have 'Down' as their link state. Strangely devices connected to then (directly or through switches) seem to get IP addresses from the router (reported in the client network set up) but cannot get Internet connectivity. The clients are also not listed as connected clients by the router.

Clients I have tried include Blu-Ray Players, DirecTV Set Top Boxes, Ooma etc

Any ideas for other things to try - does it sound like a hardware issue with the router?

The 2 things I did around the time the issue started was force an IP change on Comcast by changing the router WAN MAC address (since changed back to default) and upgraded to John's latest fork (however issues remains there with other firmware so seems like a coincidence).

 

[mstombs]

The older N16 has a known hardware failure problem over time - cause was an electrolytic capacitor. The N66 has several similar capacitors and runs hot which reduces life of capacitors - so similar hardware failure quite possible. How old - is it still under warranty?

 

[Vandergraff]

Unfortunately its out of warranty.

I have had it for around 3 years

 

[wh7qq]

You might also try a different power supply brick...cheaper than a new router and much easier than changing the electrolytics on the n66 PC board. Be sure to get a direct replacement as the 66 uses a different voltage and power connectors from many other routers. Your old supply might put out the correct voltage by measuring at the connector but under actual working load, the electrolytics in the brick are prone to fail as well. Mine is perhaps a bit older than yours and still kicking but YMMV. If a mfgr doesn't use low ESR caps in their switchers, they do heat up and die over time.