Can't load webpages every few hours

My Problem

2 or 3 times a day, I can’t load any websites in any of my browsers. The weird part is, it’s currently only affecting my laptop and my cellphone (it used to be all internet connected devices in the house, but I may have fixed those already).

The thing is, Windows 7 still says I’m connected to the Internet. My Skype doesn't disconnect, my gaming consoles remain online, people can watch Netflix on the Roku etc… But my laptop and my cellphone can’t load websites.

It lasts for about 5 to 10 minutes before it starts loading webpages again.

Router

Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router, model WNDR3700.

What I’ve tried

I’ve re-setup my wireless settings on my router, and changed SSID.
Changed the Ethernet cable.
Reset TCP/IP.
Factory reset router.
Uninstalled network card driver, and installed the latest version.
Tried using latest router firmware updates.
Flushed DNS with ipconfig /flushdns.
Tried disabling IPv6 on my wireless connection.
Tried using a 5Ghz signal on my cellphone; my laptop won’t detect it, but I know it used to.

Does anyone have any ideas how to fix this?

This is pretty much driving me insane. I use my laptop for work and I browse a lot as well, so this issue is very, very annoying. I don’t exactly lose Internet access. I’m connected to my router, full strength, and I can chat on Skype, but webpages won’t load for 5-10 minutes every few hours.

Also, here’s an image of ipconfig result when I couldn’t load any websites:

enter image description here

Shane

Posted 2014-12-10T02:05:41.267

Reputation: 83

Try disable IPv6 if activated. – user3767013 – 2014-12-10T07:10:03.587

@user3767013 I tried disabling IPv6 on my wireless connection, it didn't solve the problem. – Shane – 2014-12-11T05:29:19.893

You already tried many possibilities for a solution. Is it possible for you to try another router? I suspect a defective router. Hope this help. – climenole – 2014-12-14T00:51:01.080

When you say, “can’t load websites” what do you mean? Do you mean you are browsing in the middle of browsing and a hang happens? Or you are launching a browser for the first time and then it just hangs when you attempt to go to a website. Also, what browsers are you using. – JakeGould – 2014-12-14T01:22:13.837

@JakeGould Both of those. Whether my browser was opened or not, currently loading a page or not, every few hours webpages stop loading. On the bottom of the browser it says "Looking up http://google.ca" or whatever site I try loading at the time, and eventually just gives an error (Server not found). It's not browser specific either. I mainly use Firefox, but I've tried Chrome and IE when the problem occurs and they won't load websites either.

– Shane – 2014-12-14T01:43:10.010

@shane Well, what is the make/model of your router? That could be a key factor in solving this. – JakeGould – 2014-12-14T07:41:17.473

@JakeGould Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router, model WNDR3700 – Shane – 2014-12-14T09:10:31.907

Answers

This all sounds like 802.11n network voodoo to me. The reality of 802.11n is not all devices support or behave correctly when using it.

The best advice would be to get a new router if you can. Or try to use 802.11g on you phone and laptop to see if you get a more stable connection.

The other idea is to see if your router is set to mixed mode which attempts to allow 802.11b and 802.11g connections to co-exist with 802.11n. I’m on a Mac but when I disabled mixed mode on my router and forced it to be only 802.11n things cleared up quite quickly. Of course if you disable mixed mode then any device needing 802.11b or 802.11g would not be able to connect, but if you are all on 802.11n that shouldn't be an issue

JakeGould

Posted 2014-12-10T02:05:41.267

Reputation: 38 217

I have no option to force a mode on my router, but I disabled 802.11n in my wireless settings on my laptop which I hope does the same thing your saying. I'll report back when I can, I have to wait hours to see if any fixes work since it appears at random. – Shane – 2014-12-14T02:40:39.503

1I haven't encountered the error since trying this solution, so thank you. – Shane – 2014-12-15T19:33:37.653

@Shane Sounds good! I know you said the router us good, but like my answer said 802.11n is just flaky at times for little rhyme or reason. If 80211g works for you, keep your connection at that speed. But you might want to look to see if there is a firmware update for your router that could fix the issue and allow solid mixed mode operation. Or just look at getting a new router to allow 802.11n and 802.11g to happily coexist in mixed mode. – JakeGould – 2014-12-15T20:03:50.687

During this Offline/Online State that you Can't access any website, On your Console (CMD) try

ping 8.8.8.8

If you get your packets back, then try

nslookup www.google.gr

if you don't get a result, your ISP's DNS Server is malfunctioning. The best thing to do is to set as Primary DNS Server 8.8.8.8 , and 8.8.4.4 , Google's DNS Servers.

If you don't get your packets either, but the other devices can connect to the Internet without problem, then you have to check your Devices for Malwares, or unconfigured Firewall, or Even a Scheduled task does this kind of thing.

In your situation even a faulty Router can cause this kind of thing. So better check up your router aswell.

Devian

Posted 2014-12-10T02:05:41.267

Reputation: 536

1Thanks, I haven't had the problem since trying @JakeGould's solution, but this is useful information. – Shane – 2014-12-15T19:35:20.820

I have previously had this problem affecting wireless devices in my home. You have done the drivers, try updating firmware on the router itself and flushing your dns cache if it is happening on the same sites.

Andrew

Posted 2014-12-10T02:05:41.267

Reputation: 46

Sorry, I forgot to mention I've also tried router firmware updates (I've edited my question). As for dns cache, would it simply be doing ipconfig /flushdns in command line? I've also tried that, and it's all websites that won't load, not only a select few. – Shane – 2014-12-10T04:32:57.303

Do you have any external devices or interference that would disrupt your signal? Microwaves are very common especially if they are getting older, is there a shower inbetween your wireless device and access point? Water impedes the transmission of more wireless networks and microwaves output around 2.45Ghz which is very close to your access points transmission of 2.4Ghz. Unless you are already using a 5Ghz router and it is set up as such I would try that. – Andrew – 2014-12-10T04:38:42.973

Yes, I might, however I never had issues before. Regardless, I enabled a 5Ghz signal on my router, and tried it on my phone (my laptop apparently won't detect it anymore, but I'm sure it did before), but it didn't work. – Shane – 2014-12-11T05:28:46.317

-1

Well I think something happened you're host file.

You can check it here:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

In this folder, you can find a file which name is hosts.

Copy to the desktop and edit with Notepad++ or if you don't have it, just edit with Windows notepad.

If you see any web addresses that’s could be a possible reason for you’re problem.

Delete the web addresses which you can't reach and please delete the browser and also IP caching.

Maybe good if you’re pull all of you’re router and modem from the connector and plugged in again. If you have Belkin router, buy another one, because this router is a most bad all time. I know, I have had it in the past, and I have the same problem. After I changed the router everything is working out.

Neo

Posted 2014-12-10T02:05:41.267

Reputation: 306

2I did edit the hosts file before, but all my changes are commented. It's not specific websites I have trouble with, but all of them. I have a Netgear router, but it's starting to look like I may have to change it. – Shane – 2014-12-14T01:39:07.583

You have a backup from the host file? Becouse the unvisible character also can be you're problem. – Neo – 2014-12-14T01:41:50.303

If you don't have it, may be this tool can be fix your problem: http://support2.microsoft.com/kb/972034/hu-hu

– Neo – 2014-12-14T01:45:03.640

No backups unfortunately, I should have made one. I'll erase all my edits even though they're commented, all my changes are at the end of the file. What do you mean by invisible character? Would that show up in Notepad++ or Notepad? I edit all my files with Notepad++ – Shane – 2014-12-14T01:46:59.560

Some editors made a character, which you can't see. I sooked this once when I maked a html file and I geted a strange character. The character on there on my page, but I can't see on the editable source (on notepad++) In this case, if you have this character, this is a very serius issu. Try it the program which I linked it, but before make backup you're host file, becouse this overwrite this. – Neo – 2014-12-14T01:51:45.543