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Router frequently dropping network connections

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Router frequently dropping network connections

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Router frequently dropping network connections
Router frequently dropping network connections
2025-05-30 18:50:40 - last edited 2025-06-19 01:53:31
Tags: #Network Connectivity #Access Point Mode
Model: TL-WR840N   Archer C24  
Hardware Version: V6
Firmware Version: 0.9.1 4.19 v0001.0 Build 220120 Rel.55489n

I’m experiencing frequent internet drops on my home network and would appreciate your help troubleshooting this issue. Here’s the detailed information:

Network Setup:

  • Primary Router: TP-Link TL-WR840N (latest firmware)

  • Secondary Router (Access Point): TP-Link Archer C24 (latest firmware), connected via LAN cable to the TL-WR840N.

  • Wired Devices:

    • PC connected via Ethernet to TL-WR840N.

    • Smart TV and DVR connected via Ethernet to Archer C24.

  • Wireless Devices:

    • Multiple smartphones (at least 3) mainly connected to Archer C24.

DHCP Configuration:

  • TL-WR840N: DHCP Server enabled with static reservations for key devices.

  • Archer C24: DHCP Server disabled, static IP assigned (192.168.0.2).

Issue Description:

  • I experience frequent internet drops throughout the day affecting both wired and wireless devices connected to either router.

  • During drops, local network connectivity is fine (I can still access router interfaces), but there is no internet until I restart the TL-WR840N.

  • Restarting the Archer C24 does not fix the issue; only restarting the TL-WR840N does.

Troubleshooting Already Tried:

  • Confirmed there’s no issue from my ISP.

  • Reset both routers to factory defaults multiple times.

  • Reconfigured Archer C24 manually instead of using its access point mode — same problem.

  • Swapped Ethernet cables (CAT5e/CAT6).

  • Checked that both routers are on the latest firmware.

  • Confirmed DHCP is disabled on the Archer C24, and static IP is set.

  • Configured NAT and ALG settings correctly on TL-WR840N: NAT enabled, SIP ALG and other unnecessary ALGs disabled.

  • Ensured proper IP & MAC binding on TL-WR840N.

  • No duplicate IPs are reported on the network.

use of range extender mode is not really possible due to multiple walls between both the routers. 

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

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#1
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1 Accepted Solution
Re:Router frequently dropping network connections -Solution
2025-06-05 11:00:53 - last edited 2025-06-19 01:53:31

Hi @Sarthak2406,

Thank you for your reply.

 

I understand that you want to maximize the performance of Archer C24, so you set it as a satellite router for more clients.
But please note that the speed and stability of the satellite router will also be subject to the speed and stability of the main router.
Of course, if you think the speed of the satellite router has met your needs, then we can provide the following suggestions for the instability of the main router:
1. To do Mac clone as the main router:How do I configure MAC Address Clone on my TP-Link Archer Router?

2. For WAN connection unstable (Router Internet LED turns red/orange occasionally): 
    1) Connect a PC directly into your modem to verify if your ISP Internet is stable.
    2) Make sure the Ethernet cable between your modem and the Router is connected properly, replaced old cables with new ones.
    3) Change the DNS Server of the Router, login the web management interface of the Router, go to Advanced > Network > Internet > Advanced Settings, change the two DNS Servers into 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8. How to Change the DNS servers on the wireless router and DSL modem router (New UI)?
    4) Go to Advanced > System > Firmware Update to upgrade the firmware of the Router. How to Upgrade the Firmware on the TP-Link Wi-Fi Routers?

Welcome to Our Community！ Check Out the Latest Posts: △New Firmware for Archer BE400 V1 to Support IPv6 VPN, Wake On LAN, and More △New Firmware for Archer BE800 V1 to Support VPN Merge, EasyMesh Guest/IoT Network Extend, and More △Enhanced EasyMesh Support with Extended Guest/IoT/MLO Networking and Advanced Features for BE550 V2 △New Firmware for Archer BE900 V2 to Support Multi-WAN, DoH/DoT, EasyMesh in AP Mode and More If you found the post or response helpful, click Helpful. If an answer solves your problem, click Recommended Solution so that others can benefit from it.
Recommended Solution
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#4
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3 Reply
Re:Router frequently dropping network connections
2025-06-04 07:31:42

Hi@Sarthak2406,

Thank you for contacting our community.

 

When the internet drops, please connect the PC directly to the ISP modem to test the internet.

May I know why you don't use Archer C24 as the main router? The performance comparison of the two routers is as follows, click here.

 

Archer C24 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router, and TL-WR840N is a single-band Wi-Fi 4 router. In terms of performance, C24 is better than TL-WR840N.

In addition, you mentioned that you need to restart TL-WR840N every time to restore the entire network. I suggest that you compare and observe whether the network stability is improved after setting Archer C24 as the main router?

 

 

Welcome to Our Community！ Check Out the Latest Posts: △New Firmware for Archer BE400 V1 to Support IPv6 VPN, Wake On LAN, and More △New Firmware for Archer BE800 V1 to Support VPN Merge, EasyMesh Guest/IoT Network Extend, and More △Enhanced EasyMesh Support with Extended Guest/IoT/MLO Networking and Advanced Features for BE550 V2 △New Firmware for Archer BE900 V2 to Support Multi-WAN, DoH/DoT, EasyMesh in AP Mode and More If you found the post or response helpful, click Helpful. If an answer solves your problem, click Recommended Solution so that others can benefit from it.
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#2
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Re:Router frequently dropping network connections
2025-06-04 08:56:16

  @Joseph-TP 

Thanks for the reply!

To answer your question about why I can’t use the Archer as the primary router:

My house is two stories, and the PC is located in the farthest corner of the upper floor, while we usually sit on the opposite side of the house on the ground floor. The TL-WR840N (the primary router) is also located in the same room as the PC, and since that area is usually not occupied and only the PC is connected to it, we don’t need dual bands there.

On the other hand, the Archer is located in a different part of the house, where it serves the CCTV, TV, and phones — that’s why I wanted to take advantage of its dual bands for better performance and less interference in that area.

I also tried configuring the Archer as the primary router, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully resolve the issue — the network still drops, although less frequently. However, in that setup, I have to restart the Archer instead of the TL-WR840N to restore connectivity.

Regarding the ISP modem, I’ve tried connecting my PC directly to it and confirmed that the issue is only with the routers, not with the ISP connection itself.

Thanks for your help!

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#3
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Re:Router frequently dropping network connections -Solution
2025-06-05 11:00:53 - last edited 2025-06-19 01:53:31

Hi @Sarthak2406,

Thank you for your reply.

 

I understand that you want to maximize the performance of Archer C24, so you set it as a satellite router for more clients.
But please note that the speed and stability of the satellite router will also be subject to the speed and stability of the main router.
Of course, if you think the speed of the satellite router has met your needs, then we can provide the following suggestions for the instability of the main router:
1. To do Mac clone as the main router:How do I configure MAC Address Clone on my TP-Link Archer Router?

2. For WAN connection unstable (Router Internet LED turns red/orange occasionally): 
    1) Connect a PC directly into your modem to verify if your ISP Internet is stable.
    2) Make sure the Ethernet cable between your modem and the Router is connected properly, replaced old cables with new ones.
    3) Change the DNS Server of the Router, login the web management interface of the Router, go to Advanced > Network > Internet > Advanced Settings, change the two DNS Servers into 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8. How to Change the DNS servers on the wireless router and DSL modem router (New UI)?
    4) Go to Advanced > System > Firmware Update to upgrade the firmware of the Router. How to Upgrade the Firmware on the TP-Link Wi-Fi Routers?

Welcome to Our Community！ Check Out the Latest Posts: △New Firmware for Archer BE400 V1 to Support IPv6 VPN, Wake On LAN, and More △New Firmware for Archer BE800 V1 to Support VPN Merge, EasyMesh Guest/IoT Network Extend, and More △Enhanced EasyMesh Support with Extended Guest/IoT/MLO Networking and Advanced Features for BE550 V2 △New Firmware for Archer BE900 V2 to Support Multi-WAN, DoH/DoT, EasyMesh in AP Mode and More If you found the post or response helpful, click Helpful. If an answer solves your problem, click Recommended Solution so that others can benefit from it.
Recommended Solution
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  0  
#4
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