Illustration of hourglass on top of a router

How Long Does A Wireless Router Last?

How is your home internet network these days? Does the speed seem slower than usual, or does it drop of connections intermittently? Well, you might have a damaged wireless router. A wireless router is perhaps one of the most critical connectivity tools for any internet access. While these devices are crucial for internet connectivity, they are sometimes susceptible to functionality issues.

In particular, the average life span of a router relates to various vital factors. More so, taking good care of your router is also a key factor to consider.

In theory, a router should last for several years without any functionality issues. After all, these devices have close to zero moving and mechanical parts. In fact, they should be as every bit as reliable as reliable PlayStation or Atari device. That said, the big issue is that a router is prone to various problems over the years of use. For instance, if the router is more than four or five years, then consider replacing the device. Some of the main reasons to consider the replacement include:

Heat can cause damage to the internal components over several years of use. Such an occurrence might explain issues such as slow performance and intermittent outages in connectivity. Many routers, especially the low budget versions, are not fully equipped with proper cooling systems. You might consider turning off the router after extensive use or installing it somewhere with good airflow.

An old router may not provide adequate support for the current Wi-Fi standards. 802.11n is the most common Wi-Fi technology. However, devices that only top out at 802.11g, then you are not getting sufficient speed and connectivity range. Some 802.11n models are also out of date, mainly if they were manufactured in the past few years.

When the router does not offer dual-band wireless connectivity. Dual band is a feature that makes it easy for a device to function between various types of frequency bands. Furthermore, the dual-band feature provides improved roaming capabilities, especially for mobile devices. It’s also possible that some other devices such as cordless phones and a garage door open operate on the same frequency. As such, any interferences issues is a crucial factor to consider when conducting replacements.

Factors that Play a Role in the Lifespan of a Router

A good router is an essential tool for internet connectivity. Increasing the longevity of a router depends on various vital factors. Among some of the main ones include:

The Brand of the Router

Similar to investing in any technology, purchasing a good router is an essential factor to consider. Among some of the top router brands to consider include TP-Link, Asus, Netgear, and more. There is a strong correlation between a good router brand and its lifespan. The main reason for such an occurrence is because reliable brands are famous for creating high quality technology resources. Their routers have durable hardware components and customized software that can accommodate all the modern Wi-Fi standards.

The Location of Installation

Even more, being able to install the router in the correct position in your home or office is also essential. A good location is free from human traffic and issues such as the accumulation of dust. More importantly, the ideal installation location offers optimal ventilation room for the router. Using the device for long durations increases the changes of hardware overheating. These are significant issues that affect the performance of a router in various ways.

Maintenance and Storage

Furthermore, you may also have to consider investing in a reliable IT professional service for maintenance purposes. The router might sometimes be prone to issues such as dust accumulation and typical functionality complications. As such, investing in a reliable IT maintenance professional helps to increase its longevity. They might also help you identify the best use practices to promote the durability of the router.

The Usage of the Router

Different types of routers are developed for as many different functionalities. For instance, a home router would not necessarily provide the same performance benefits as an office router. In essence, a router that works more is highly likely to get damage from issues such as heat. You should use a router according to its stated capacity level.

Signs You Have a Damaged Router

There are various signs associated with a damaged router. Among some of these significant signs of compromised connectivity include:

Poor Internet Connectivity

The first tell-tale sign of a damaged wireless router is poor internet connectivity. The poor connectivity issue arises due to the several components in the router that have damage. More so, the connectivity issues also occur due to problems such as lack of proper firmware to keep up with the increased changes in internet technology.

Decreased Functionality

Furthermore, any instance of compromised functionality in the router is also a vital sign of a damaged router. For example, if the router fails to start correctly, or provide sufficient coverage. These are just some of the primary symptoms that you may have a router that has outlived its lifespan.

Tips for Taking Care of Router

An equally important factor to consider when it comes to taking good care of your restaurant is to take good care of the device. There are various vital tips to consider:

  1. Avoid overworking the router – Ensure that you use the router according to its stated capacity level to promote longevity
  2. Installing the router in the right place – Install the router in a position that is free from issues such as dust and excessive heat accumulation
  3. Perform an occasional reboot – Using hardware for long durations can lead to data cache accumulation issues and more.


Overall, the lifespan of router relates to various vital factors. As such, similar to investing in the conventional type of device, it’s also essential that you consider these functionality factors. For instance, the brand, the expected use, the installation are and more, are all critical. Furthermore, making informed decisions in regards to taking good care of the router is also crucial.