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Wireless router is disconnected from PC(s) when using Firefox 37.0.1

  • 3 cavab
  • 2 have this problem
  • 9 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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This problem has been occurring for the past 2 weeks every time I use Firefox on each of the 2 PCs I use everyday. The problem may occur a few minutes after starting Firefox or it may be hours of continuous use before the connection is lost. It doesn't matter if I'm running Firefox by itself or have background apps running, but definitely requires Firefox to be running before I see a problem.

Configuration: WIN 8.1 and VISTA 64; both with latest updates. LAN: cable modem and Belkin wireless router; both with latest firmware. Firefox v37.0.1 with no add-ins or add-ons. Start page is "blank".

Symptoms: Windows status bar shows I am disconnected from the router. Router and modem status LEDs show I am connected to the internet. Same for the WIN network status app. It shows no router connection.

The problem can be temporarily fixed by power cycling the router. Or, by just waiting a random period of time the connection may (or may not) be reestablished on its own.

I also use a standalone PC application that streams text data in short bursts and runs all day (no video or music... just short lines of text) with no problems until I start Firefox in the background. Then it may go a few hours before the connection to the router is lost. I also frequently watch videos on my tablet with no problems from the router. While typing in this question on a PC I was disconnected from my router. I'm hoping to get some suggestions as to what to inspect or change. Thanks!

This problem has been occurring for the past 2 weeks every time I use Firefox on each of the 2 PCs I use everyday. The problem may occur a few minutes after starting Firefox or it may be hours of continuous use before the connection is lost. It doesn't matter if I'm running Firefox by itself or have background apps running, but definitely requires Firefox to be running before I see a problem. Configuration: WIN 8.1 and VISTA 64; both with latest updates. LAN: cable modem and Belkin wireless router; both with latest firmware. Firefox v37.0.1 with no add-ins or add-ons. Start page is "blank". Symptoms: Windows status bar shows I am disconnected from the router. Router and modem status LEDs show I am connected to the internet. Same for the WIN network status app. It shows no router connection. The problem can be temporarily fixed by power cycling the router. Or, by just waiting a random period of time the connection may (or may not) be reestablished on its own. I also use a standalone PC application that streams text data in short bursts and runs all day (no video or music... just short lines of text) with no problems until I start Firefox in the background. Then it may go a few hours before the connection to the router is lost. I also frequently watch videos on my tablet with no problems from the router. While typing in this question on a PC I was disconnected from my router. I'm hoping to get some suggestions as to what to inspect or change. Thanks!

Chosen solution

Fred, I had to leave the house early this morning and didn't have time to dig out a cable long enough to reach my modem to try your suggestion. But, what I did do was half of your suggestion. I poked the little recessed RESET button on the modem and left the house around 8:30 a.m. with Firefox running on both PCs. Seven hours later all is normal. No router disconnects and I've been giving the system a pretty good workout.

I also now notice that initial connects to web sites are faster.

There's is obviously a logical explanation for what was going on, but to an outside observer (me) I see absolutely no logical connection of the "fix" to the rest of the universe. I'm not going to lose sleep over it. And, I'll ask for you specifically when the next head scratching problem occurs! Thanks, Fred!

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I've called the big guys to help you. Good luck.

Lets start at the beginning, meaning the modem. Use a wired connection to the modem. Is it working okay? Any kind of problems?

After that, go thru the modems menu. What I want you to do is to reset the modem. Not restart / reboot, a full reset.

Let us know how you are doing.

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Seçilmiş Həll

Fred, I had to leave the house early this morning and didn't have time to dig out a cable long enough to reach my modem to try your suggestion. But, what I did do was half of your suggestion. I poked the little recessed RESET button on the modem and left the house around 8:30 a.m. with Firefox running on both PCs. Seven hours later all is normal. No router disconnects and I've been giving the system a pretty good workout.

I also now notice that initial connects to web sites are faster.

There's is obviously a logical explanation for what was going on, but to an outside observer (me) I see absolutely no logical connection of the "fix" to the rest of the universe. I'm not going to lose sleep over it. And, I'll ask for you specifically when the next head scratching problem occurs! Thanks, Fred!

Modified by KV1E

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Glad to help Safe Surfing.