Steam download kills internet connection (have to hard reset router to fix it)

[XxTheDeceivedxX]

I was trying to reinstall a game (Arma 3) and about four or five minutes into the download my internet connection got dropped, completely all the way to the router it self. this has been going on for at least two months now, but if i plug my PC into my router (I'm on a laptop) the download works fine. I've check my drivers, they're all updated, I've scanned for viruses, my PC is clean. and lastly I even went as far to completely blow the OS and all my portions on my HDD and do a complete reinstall of windows to be sure my PC is clean that was about a week ago. I don't know if maybe my router is on its last legs or if its something to do with steam.

Edit and solution: So it turns out my HDD wasn't keeping up with my Nic, I put it on 802.11b/g from 802.11a/b/g my internet isn't as fast but at least i can download from steam now

[Muppet among Puppets]

Try if reducing steam download rate a little helps.

[XxTheDeceivedxX]

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

Try if reducing steam download rate a little helps.

That didn't work sadly, I dropped it to the lowest and it did take longer for it to kill my internet but it only took like ten minutes.

[Spanky]

Reset passwords on the router run a power cycle for one hour once a week.

[Joke]

Are you saying you loose connection if you use WiFi, but not if you use a cable to your router?


If yes, do you have a different laptop you could try downloading with? That could help narrow down if it's the router or the PC that has the problem. (guessing one of them gets overheated)

[XxTheDeceivedxX]

Originally posted by Joke:

Are you saying you loose connection if you use WiFi, but not if you use a cable to your router?


If yes, do you have a different laptop you could try downloading with? That could help narrow down if it's the router or the PC that has the problem. (guessing one of them gets overheated)

I do have another PC and I have tried the download on there as well, and same problem, it is possible its a ventilation issue but I don't see how it could kill the whole network if it was the PC I loose connection on everything in the house. My cell, the Xbox, and PC I have to do a hard reset to gain my connection back, and yes if I plug a Ethernet cable into my PC from the router the download doesn't kill the connection. That is why I'm confused by this. There shouldn't be any interference because the router is in the room right next to the room I use my PC. The only thing between is drywall, no pipes, no wiring. On top of that I have been using this room for years and this problem just started a couple of months ago. I may ask my professor Monday to see what he thinks.

[XxTheDeceivedxX]

Originally posted by NeBaZ-):

Reset passwords on the router run a power cycle for one hour once a week.

I have connection prior to the download. I loose connection after starting the download through steam.

[Silicon Vampire]

Sounds like the wireless side of the router is dying

Quite common with ISP supplied equipment

[XxTheDeceivedxX]

Originally posted by Silicon Vampire:

Sounds like the wireless side of the router is dying

Quite common with ISP supplied equipment

its pretty old and outdated, so I'm still probably gonna look into getting a new one but it turns out my HDD wasn't keeping up with my Nic i went in to my Nic's properties and changed the property value its working fine now, it hangs every once in a while but its not killing my network