Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Gonzilla]

I've had this router for about 3-4 months now.  I purchased it due to good reviews I read and my previous good experience for 8 years with a Gamer's Lunge router until that gave up the ghost.

This problem just started up earlier this week.  I have hardware model B1, FW 2.11NA.  I am connected to an XFinity cable Modem (Comcast) in bridged mode.

The issue is that intermittently, DNS when used from a wireless connection stops working.  It continues to work from a wired connection, although I've also had the wired connection lose DNS ability a couple of times.  This issue has now occurred about a dozen times over the past 3-4 days.  Power-cycling the router resolves the problem.

Let me start out by saying that while I appreciate the good intentions of FuzzyNation, I am not interested in a shotgun solution that you have suggested to pretty much everyone, and which would have me resetting nearly every single setting for my router.  The settings are not the issue as the router has worked flawlessly for 3-4 months. As I run my own server, I have a complex router setup and it takes a long time to set everything back up again.  Further, my research on this board for similar problems has shown that the shotgun approach has yielded no positive results for similar problems.

I was incredibly impressed by the work done by "ambercap" with his DIR-645, and I am tempted to recreate his steps to see if the issue can be resolved that way.  However, his symptoms are not exactly like mine, and I really don't have that sort of time to devote to this problem.  Additionally, any firmware patch would have to be re-created any time there was a new FW released.  It's also been nearly a year since he posted his procedure on that thread (http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=52082.0) and I am hopeful that there have been some more revelations since then.

I am hopeful that someone has actually found a reliable solution to this problem, and that I have just not uncovered it yet in my research.

Thanks in advance for any focused help that can be provided.

 = Ed =

[FurryNutz]

Link>Welcome!

• What region are you located?
• Are you wired or wireless connected to the router?
• Was a Factory Reset performed before and after any firmware updates then set up from scratch?
• Was the router working before any firmware updates?

Internet Service Provider and Modem Configurations

• What ISP Modem Mfr. and model # do you have?
• What ISP Modem service link speeds UP and Down do you have?
• Check ISP MTU requirements, Cable is usually 1500, DSL is around 1492 down to 1472. Call the ISP and ask. Link>Checking MTU Values
• For DSL/PPPoE connections on the router, ensure that "Always ON" option is enabled.

Router and Wired Configurations
Some things to try: - Log into the routers web page at 192.168.0.1. Use IE, Opera or FF to manage the router.

• Turn off ALL QoS or Disable Traffic Shaping (DIR only) GameFuel (DGL only and if ON.) options, Advanced/QoS or Gamefuel.
• Turn off Advanced DNS Services if you have this option under Setup/Internet/Manual or under Setup/PARENTAL CONTROL/Set to>None: Static IP or Obtain Automatically From ISP.
• Enable Use Unicasting (compatibility for some ISP DHCP Servers) under Setup/Internet/Manual.
• Turn off DNS Relay under Setup/Networking. Link>Finding Faster DNS Addresses using Name Bench
• Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking. This ensures each devices gets its own IP address when turned on and connected, eliminates IP address conflicts and helps in troubleshooting.
• Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.
• If IPv6 is an option on the router, select Local Connection Only or Disable IPv6 options under Setup/IPv6.
• Set Firewall settings to Endpoint Independent for TCP and UDP under Advanced/Firewall. Enable or Disable SPI to test.
• Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking. Disable uPnP for testing Port Forwarding rules. Enable IPv6 Multi-cast Streaming for routers that have a Media Server option. Disable IPv6 Multi-cast Streaming if IPv6 or Media Server is not being used.
• Turn off WISH, and WPS under Advanced.
• WAN Port Speed set to Auto or specific speed? Some newer ISP modems support 1000Mb so manually setting to Gb speeds can be supported by the router. Advanced/Advanced Networking/WAN Port Speed
• Set current Time Zone, Date and Time. Use an NTP Server feature. Tools/Time.
• Check cable between Modem and Router, swap out to be sure. Link> Cat6 is recommended.

Router Placement
Forum User - "Well I feel really dumb. After moving the router away from other electronic devices my speeds are back to normal. Just a heads up for anyone experiencing slow speeds, you might want to move it away from other electronics and see if that helps."
6" minimum safe distance between devices.

Wireless Configurations
Links>Wireless Installation Considerations and Managing Signal Congestion and Good Neighbour Policy

• Ensure the default (dlink) SSID name is changed. Can be anything and not something thats already in use by any neighboring WiFi routers. Under Setup/Wireless/Manual.
• What wireless modes are you using?
• 2.4Ghz Routers only: Try single mode G or N or mixed G and N?
• 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz routers: Try single mode G or N or mixed G and N on 2.4Ghz and single mode N on 5Ghz?
• Channel Width set for Auto 20/40Mhz or try 20Mhz only.
• Try setting a manual Channel to a open or unused channel. 1, 6 or 11. 11 for single mode N if the channel is clear.
• What security mode are you using? Preferred security is WPA-Personal. WPA2/AES Only. Some WiFi adapters don't support AES, so you might want to try TPIK only or Auto TPIK and AES.
• What wireless devices do you have connected?
• Any cordless house phones?
• Any other WiFi routers in the area? Link> Use InSSIDer to find out. How many?
• If you have any of these options, Try turning OFF or ON Short GI, WLAN Partition, HT 20/40 Co-exhistance and Extra Wireless Protection if you have it. Recommended settings are default. Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.

What is FuzzyNation?

Please help us by helping you in getting this issue resolved. By answering the questions presented and trying some if not all of the suggestions may help resolve this. The issue could be anywhere at this time and we need to start with the ISP and work our way down to the clients.

I have this router and it works well and haven't seen anyone else with this particular issue very often. Which tells me this is localized to your system currently.

Let's work the problem and find the solution. The more we know, the better we can help you figure it out and get it working for you.

[Gonzilla]

Link>Welcome!

• What region are you located?

I am in Northern California, USA (Nevada City to be specific)

• Are you wired or wireless connected to the router?

As indicated in the subject, both

• Was a Factory Reset performed before and after any firmware updates then set up from scratch?

Yes.

• Was the router working before any firmware updates?

Yes, and after the update.  The update was applied immediately after getting the router working after purchase.  As already noted, it has worked fine for 3-4 months before this issue cropped up earlier this week.

Internet Service Provider and Modem Configurations

I already indicated ISP is Comcast (XFinity) and the modem is running in a bridged configuration

• What ISP Modem Mfr. and model # do you have?
• What ISP Modem service link speeds UP and Down do you have?

I believe that it is > 30 MBPS down and about 6-9 MBPS up.  However, bandwidth is not any sort of issue here.

• Check ISP MTU requirements, Cable is usually 1500, DSL is around 1492 down to 1472. Call the ISP and ask. Link>Checking MTU Values
• For DSL/PPPoE connections on the router, ensure that "Always ON" option is enabled.

Again, not relevant.  I am on a DHCP connection.

As for the suggestions below, I am not interested in a shotgun approach, as I also indicated in my initial post.  I have seen these suggestions on every thread on this forum that I have looked at.  I have carefully checked any settings that might[/i] affect the issue that I am having and tried various settings for all of them already - to no avail.  Besides, my LAN subnet is not 192.168.1.xxx   I also note that none of the suggestions below had any effect on for anyone having a similar problem on any similar router.  I see no reason to go through this pain to prove these procedures ineffective yet again.

Router and Wired Configurations
Some things to try: - Log into the routers web page at 192.168.0.1. Use IE, Opera or FF to manage the router.

• Turn off ALL QoS or Disable Traffic Shaping (DIR only) GameFuel (DGL only and if ON.) options, Advanced/QoS or Gamefuel.
• Turn off Advanced DNS Services if you have this option under Setup/Internet/Manual or under Setup/PARENTAL CONTROL/Set to>None: Static IP or Obtain Automatically From ISP.
• Enable Use Unicasting (compatibility for some ISP DHCP Servers) under Setup/Internet/Manual.
• Turn off DNS Relay under Setup/Networking. Link>Finding Faster DNS Addresses using Name Bench
• Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking. This ensures each devices gets its own IP address when turned on and connected, eliminates IP address conflicts and helps in troubleshooting.
• Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.
• If IPv6 is an option on the router, select Local Connection Only or Disable IPv6 options under Setup/IPv6.
• Set Firewall settings to Endpoint Independent for TCP and UDP under Advanced/Firewall. Enable or Disable SPI to test.
• Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking. Disable uPnP for testing Port Forwarding rules. Enable IPv6 Multi-cast Streaming for routers that have a Media Server option. Disable IPv6 Multi-cast Streaming if IPv6 or Media Server is not being used.
• Turn off WISH, and WPS under Advanced.
• WAN Port Speed set to Auto or specific speed? Some newer ISP modems support 1000Mb so manually setting to Gb speeds can be supported by the router. Advanced/Advanced Networking/WAN Port Speed
• Set current Time Zone, Date and Time. Use an NTP Server feature. Tools/Time.
• Check cable between Modem and Router, swap out to be sure. Link> Cat6 is recommended.

Router Placement
Forum User - "Well I feel really dumb. After moving the router away from other electronic devices my speeds are back to normal. Just a heads up for anyone experiencing slow speeds, you might want to move it away from other electronics and see if that helps."
6" minimum safe distance between devices.

The only device in immediate proximity to the router is the modem, which is about 5 inches away.  A cordless phone station is located about 1.5 feet away.  This is because the modem is providing VOIP via XFinity's "Triple Play" package.

Wireless Configurations
Links>Wireless Installation Considerations and Managing Signal Congestion and Good Neighbour Policy

• Ensure the default (dlink) SSID name is changed. Can be anything and not something thats already in use by any neighboring WiFi routers. Under Setup/Wireless/Manual.
• What wireless modes are you using?
• 2.4Ghz Routers only: Try single mode G or N or mixed G and N?
• 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz routers: Try single mode G or N or mixed G and N on 2.4Ghz and single mode N on 5Ghz?
• Channel Width set for Auto 20/40Mhz or try 20Mhz only.
• Try setting a manual Channel to a open or unused channel. 1, 6 or 11. 11 for single mode N if the channel is clear.
• What security mode are you using? Preferred security is WPA-Personal. WPA2/AES Only. Some WiFi adapters don't support AES, so you might want to try TPIK only or Auto TPIK and AES.
• What wireless devices do you have connected?

Numerous wired computers, wireless laptops, tablets, smartphones, TV, gaming systems, etc.

• Any cordless house phones?

Yes.

• Any other WiFi routers in the area? Link> Use InSSIDer[/color] to find out. How many?
• If you have any of these options, Try turning OFF or ON Short GI, WLAN Partition, HT 20/40 Co-exhistance and Extra Wireless Protection if you have it. Recommended settings are default. Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.

Yes there are only a few other wireless routers in the area.  Wireless connectivity is NOT an issue.  I have very stable connection to the router for all devices at all times.  I am able to ping the router during the problem times without issue.  These issues are, again, not relevant to my problem.

What is FuzzyNation?

Please help us by helping you in getting this issue resolved. By answering the questions presented and trying some if not all of the suggestions may help resolve this. The issue could be anywhere at this time and we need to start with the ISP and work our way down to the clients.

I have this router and it works well and haven't seen anyone else with this particular issue very often. Which tells me this is localized to your system currently.

Let's work the problem and find the solution. The more we know, the better we can help you figure it out and get it working for you.

I do appreciate the quick support.  I am not any sort of newbie and have been involved in the computer industry professionally for over 40 years. As indicated in my original post I run my own server and have a fairly complex internal network setup.  The problem is restricted to the router failing to perform DNS intermittently - usually this happens on wireless while DNS of a wired connection still works.  In those cases, the wireless connection to the LAN is perfect  There have been a couple of occasions where the DNS issue has extended to the wired connection.  Power-cycling the router has always resolved the problem, if only temporarily.

Thanks,

 = Ed =

[FurryNutz]

Is DNS Relay ON or OFF?
Are you using ISP DNS or something different? Did you try using NameBench process with DNS Relay OFF?

Do you experience any issues if you directly connect a PC to the ISP modem?
What ISP Modem Mfr. and model # do you have?
We seen various odd and bad behavior with different ISP Modems as well. Especially router/modem combo units.

There have been some issues seen with ISP having DNS issues. I would contact them and ask them if they are seeing anything or have a look at there logs. Also please check the router logs when you see this issue. Could be more information posted there. Turn on Debug.

I recommend that you have your ISP check the cabling going to the ISP modem, check signal levels going to the ISP modem. Check for t.v. line splitters and remove them as they can introduce noise on the line and lower the signal going to the ISP modem. Connecting to the ISP modem could result in a false positive as the signal to the modem could be just enough to that point then adding on a router, could see problems. The router operation is dependent upon getting good data flow from the ISP modem and the modem is dependent upon getting good signal from the ISP Service.

If the router worked fine for 3-4 months then all of a suddenly started exhibiting this problem and you are sure you didn't modify anything, then this tells me that there is a problem upstream from the router and the ISP service and Modem should be looked at. This is not a problem at the router level persae, again, the router works well, however IS depended upon having good service from the ISP modem and ISP services. This is an intermittent problem...Start with ISP!

I would also do this, Save off the current router configuration as it sits now. Do a factory reset, set up Wifi, SSID and PWs from scratch. Leave everything else default. Run just one wired or wireless PC or device then check internet connections by going to different sites. Turn on the next device and test. Keep doing this. Report findings?

You can reload the saved config later.

What frequency is the house phone running? Any thing hear 2.4Ghz?

One extreme test you can do is to take this router to a different location, say family member or friends place with a modem and see if the problem follows. If it doesn't, then you'll know, either way.

[Gonzilla]

Thanks again for the quick response.  Answers below...

Is DNS Relay ON or OFF?
Are you using ISP DNS or something different? Did you try using NameBench process with DNS Relay OFF?

I have tried a wide range of well known and not-so-well-known DNS servers including a friend's personal DNS.  I don't the believe that the DNS serves are the issue in the cases where the wired devices work properly but wireless fails.  However, it could be that some of the wired devices have their own DNS settings overriding the use of the router's?  However, I DO have DNS Relay ON, and unless I am misunderstanding its function, turning that off would definitely disable any sort of DNS for smartphones and tablets and the like. This is not viable in my situation for the length of time that would be required to verify that it is the cause of what is an intermittent problem.

As for trying other DNS servers and NameBench, with all of the many DNS servers that I have tried already, the same issues still occur, which leads me to believe that changing DNS servers is not a trail worth continuing on.

Do you experience any issues if you directly connect a PC to the ISP modem?
What ISP Modem Mfr. and model # do you have?
We seen various odd and bad behavior with different ISP Modems as well. Especially router/modem combo units.

The modem is XFinity branded, but the back indicates that's it's made by SMC, model SMCD3CNV.  I have not connected a computer directly to the modem for a few months now.

There have been some issues seen with ISP having DNS issues. I would contact them and ask them if they are seeing anything or have a look at there logs. Also please check the router logs when you see this issue. Could be more information posted there. Turn on Debug.

I recommend that you have your ISP check the cabling going to the ISP modem, check signal levels going to the ISP modem. Check for t.v. line splitters and remove them as they can introduce noise on the line and lower the signal going to the ISP modem. Connecting to the ISP modem could result in a false positive as the signal to the modem could be just enough to that point then adding on a router, could see problems. The router operation is dependent upon getting good data flow from the ISP modem and the modem is dependent upon getting good signal from the ISP Service.

If the router worked fine for 3-4 months then all of a suddenly started exhibiting this problem and you are sure you didn't modify anything, then this tells me that there is a problem upstream from the router and the ISP service and Modem should be looked at. This is not a problem at the router level persae, again, the router works well, however IS depended upon having good service from the ISP modem and ISP services. This is an intermittent problem...Start with ISP!

I don't understand this.  If the issue is primarily ONLY on wireless, and if it goes away consistently when the router is power-cycled, this seems like another blind alley to me. Nevertheless, I can contact the ISP to have them run their tests.  The Modem's cabling is fine and I have reseated all of the connectors.  The VOIP works without flaw, and access to the outside world is fine - except for DNS.

I would also do this, Save off the current router configuration as it sits now. Do a factory reset, set up Wifi, SSID and PWs from scratch. Leave everything else default. Run just one wired or wireless PC or device then check internet connections by going to different sites. Turn on the next device and test. Keep doing this. Report findings?

You can reload the saved config later.

Again, this is shotgunning, but I can try this after the holidays when usage around the house will be lowered significantly. It is also a bit problematic to do as my setup has a lot of internal dependencies between servers and NAS device, and my workstation. In the meantime, I cannot afford the downtime this would incur.  FWIW, I save off my router config whenever I have occasion to even look at it.  It's a habit that has saved my butt in the past.

What frequency is the house phone running? Any thing hear 2.4Ghz?

It's a DECT 6 phone.  I believe that this is in the 1.9 GHz range, so it should not be a problem.

One extreme test you can do is to take this router to a different location, say family member or friends place with a modem and see if the problem follows. If it doesn't, then you'll know, either way.

Yeah, that is pretty extreme.

Again, thanks for the fast follow up and the help.  I will continue to work on this as I have time.  Please let me know if my understanding of the DNS Relay is inaccurate.  Since the problem is intermittent (i.e. it start happening once or twice a day), turning it off, if it would ruin DNS for tablets, smartphones, etc., for the required length of time to see if this was causing the issue is pretty much untenable in my current circumstance.

 = Ed =

[FurryNutz]

Do u have clients set up for reserved IPs?

I would try DNS relay OFF, use good known working DNS entries under Setup/Internet/Manual for Primary and 2ndary. Save settings and reboot. You'll need to reboot ALL client devices or ensure the DNS caches are cleared on each device. I run my routers mainly with DNS relay OFF. For testing I run it enabled. This will help in eliminating this process. This will allow all devices to get DNS pass thru via the router and directly from the ISP modem and ISP services.

Is the 655 your main primary wireless AP that everything connects to? Are there any other APs installed by chance? I just helped a guy with DNS issues on a 857 and come to find out that his DAP-1525 was the culprit. Thats since been removed. Just curious here.

What wireless modes are you currently using on the router? Mixed all?

This VoIP wireless or wired device?

Do the wireless clients have any reset or networking reset features? You might try this as well...If wired is really working and wireless isn't, could be something with the wireless clients...

[FurryNutz]

Just to confirm, is this your ISP modem?
http://na.smc.com/products/residential/voice/smcd3gnv/

[Gonzilla]

Do u have clients set up for reserved IPs?

Main server, NAS and my workstation all have reserved IPs.

I would try DNS relay OFF, use good known working DNS entries under Setup/Internet/Manual for Primary and 2ndary. Save settings and reboot. You'll need to reboot ALL client devices or ensure the DNS caches are cleared on each device. I run my routers mainly with DNS relay OFF. For testing I run it enabled. This will help in eliminating this process. This will allow all devices to get DNS pass thru via the router and directly from the ISP modem and ISP services.

So those devices that depend on the router for providing DNS will still get it with DNS Relay off?  Excellent!  I will try that straight away!  Of course we won't know for a day or so if this solves the problem.

Is the 655 your main primary wireless AP that everything connects to? Are there any other APs installed by chance? I just helped a guy with DNS issues on a 857 and come to find out that his DAP-1525 was the culprit. Thats since been removed. Just curious here.

I have a DLink access point DWL-7100AP connected via wire to the router.  It shares the same SSID as the DIR-655's primary SSID.

What wireless modes are you currently using on the router? Mixed all?

Mixed, n, g & b
auto scan
transmission rate is Best
channel width is 20 MHz.

This VoIP wireless or wired device?

The Voip is wired.

As for the Modem, yes, that's the modem.  Its router and wireless are completely disabled.

Thanks again

 = Ed =

[FurryNutz]

I highly recommend reserving ALL devices, those that reside at your home.

Yes, Just clear the caches for all devices and they will now get what ever you input under Setup/Internet/Manual...I use this all the time. 

Please turn OFF the DWL AP and test with all devices connecting to the main 655 wireless...as a test. 

I recommend that if you don't have any devices that use A or B modes, switch to Mixed G and N mode on the 655. Also test with Auto 20/40Mhz. Some devices can use 40Mhz pipe. If your DWL AP doesn't do N mode, You could use single mode N or Mixed G and N on the 655 and use G mode only on the DWL...using same SSID names and PWs. Just make sure they are using different channels...

[Gonzilla]

After following your advice re DNS Relay and settings for my Access Point, I am happy to report that I've had no DNS issues over the wifi since making those changes.  I will continue to report as I gain more confidence in the fix.

Thanks Fuzzy!

 = Ed =

[FurryNutz]

Good it's working better for you Mr Shotgun. 
Enjoy.