Verizon FIOS Router Actiontec MI424WR-GEN3I Issue - Dropped Connections - Constant Reboots
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

So, here's my tale of woe: I received a new router (a MI424WR-GEN3I) to replace my old one around August. Almost immediately after setting it up, I noticed that it randomly reboots at least once a day and has been doing so ever since. Half a dozen calls to customer support have been no help whatsoever. I've had my ONT replaced, new routers sent to me, etc. Nothing has remedied the problem.

Today, however, a tech came by and showed me an internal document dated mid-October of last year {edited for privacy} that states Verizon is aware of the problem and the only way to fix it is to disconnect the device on the network that's responsible for dropping the connection. Frankly, I find that an unacceptable solution since, it turns out, this is a known (and apparently widespread) issue with the router itself.

I was told by another tech that Verizon is working on a "patch" that could come at any point in Q1, but I have no way to verify this. Nor do I have any understanding of the release schedule beyond this vague timeframe.

So, my question to the community is this -- has anyone else experienced this problem? 

Oh, and if Verizon is listening, when can we expect a solution? It's been three months since the document referenced above was circulated internally and five months since I started noticing this problem. I think we've waited long enough since this issue essentially makes Verizon FIOS unusable to power users like myself.

0 Likes
1 Solution
onyb
Enthusiast - Level 1

Hi all.

I did not read every post in this thread.

If your Actiontec MI424WR router is rebooting like every 60min then try this.

Select 'Advance Security Settings' under 'Wireless Settings'.

Select the 'WPA2' Bullet.

Under 'Encryption Algorithm' Change the number '3600' to '86400' (3600 x 24hrs).

'Apply'.

Even when the Wireless Bullet is set to off, for me, my router would reboot every

60 minutes. This changes it to 24hrs.

After this solved my problem and since I usually have wireless turned off, this is

what I now do to turn wireless off/on.

Under 'My Network' select 'Network Connections'.

Select 'Network ("your network")' Under 'Name'.

At the bottom select 'Settings'.

Scroll down and deselect 'Wireless Access Point'.

'Apply'

Takes a few more clicks to turn wireless on/off, but this results in zero rebooting or disconnecting

issues.

lat, tb

View solution in original post

0 Likes
464 Replies
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

eric00: Thanks for the update.

0 Likes
sangs1
Specialist - Level 2

Well things just got interesting here.

I went back to using my Rev. I router after seeing a lot of reports that they had stopped rebooting. Sure enough, I went over 220 hours without a reboot. Then I reintroduced Tivo into my TV setup three days ago and - BOOM! - the router is back on its 24 hour reboot loop.

This has to be more than coincidental, considering the last time the reboots were occuring, I had a Tivo setup. Back then I couldn't get the Tivo to work properly and didn't want to miss my return window for a refund, so I returned them and went back to using only FiOS DVRs and STBs. However, I knew I wanted to give TIvo another shot, since others have it working well with FiOS, so I'm trying again.

While the Tivo setup itself is working perfectly (knock wood) I find it very interesting that the Rev. I is rebooting again, after going so long without having done so. Luckily, its 24 hour reboot cycle is happening at 3:00 AM when we're all asleep.

Something to chew on for a bit.

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

The rev. I definitely has issues playing nice with other devices. I can now confirm that it only reboots when I try connecting with my Dell laptop. Is the cause self-heal, the "half-closed socket" issue that Verizon documented or something else? It's anybody's guess. Either way, the rev. D never had any of these issues. I'm continuing to chalk it up to buggy firmware or something else inherently wrong with the rev. I.

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

Rebooted four minutes ago. This time, my laptop wasn't even on. Instead, I was streaming through the Xbox One. Time for my 100th ineffectual call to support.

0 Likes
sangs1
Specialist - Level 2

@g00py wrote:

Rebooted four minutes ago. This time, my laptop wasn't even on. Instead, I was streaming through the Xbox One. Time for my 100th ineffectual call to support.


Why even bother at this point, what exactly do you think they're going to do differently? What is it they say about the definition of insanity? ๐Ÿ˜‰ (Mine rebooted again overnight. so I'm definitely chalking it up to the reintroduction of the Tivo. Maybe I'll try the Rev. F again, see if the same thing occurs.)

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

Maybe I'll start a campaign to bring Google Fiber to my area instead.

g00py
Contributor - Level 1

According to a document on Actiontec's site, firmware for the Rev. I was recently updated.

http://support.actiontec.com/doc_files/Current_Firmware_Versions.pdf

Can anyone confirm? Better yet, anyone have a copy of the .rmt?

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

UPDATE: Contacted Actiontec support and they passed the buck to Verizon, who said there's no updated firmware available. However, none of this explains why Actiontec refers to a recent incremental update in at least two places on their website.

0 Likes
beckolamuffin
Enthusiast - Level 1

I was having a problem with very slow download speeds (as tested by Verizon speed test, Ookla speed test, and others). Upload speeds were impacted as well, but not nearly as much.  Often, the upload speed would be 10 times faster than the download speed.  This was happening on both wired and wireless connections. The issue was particularly acute on longer downloads; the initial download speed was often normal or near normal, but would rapidly slow down to a crawl.

I tried rebooting the router and the ONT without any real change.  I also reset the router to factory defaults.  Again, no change.

What has helped a lot was reflashing the current firmware version to the router by using the "force upgrade" option in the web interface for router management.  Speeds are better now.  Will have to test for a few days more to be sure.

Hope this helps someone.

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

What version firmware were you running before and what are you running now?

0 Likes
beckolamuffin
Enthusiast - Level 1

I was, and am, running 40.21.10.2, dated 9/30/2013.

And I still seem to be having periodic slow issues.  My next step might be to dig out the old MI424wr router and hook that up instead.

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

Yeah, seems that what you're experiencing is separate to what the rest of us on this thread have been dealing with. But I think you're correct in that it's probably something specific to the Rev. I. I wouldn't be surprised if going with an older rev solves all your problems...it certainly helped people experiencing periodic reboots.

0 Likes
mcollins2
Newbie

I have this exact same issue; were you able to find a solution?  I've tried getting a new router (Verizon sent another MI424-WR Rev I) and it's still occuring.  I find I have to reboot the router at least daily, sometimes more. 

0 Likes
Hubrisnxs
Legend

for those who's problem is wifi specific, Verizon built a tool inside of it's in home agent, that will automatically scan, and detect wireless interference and automates the process for changing wireless channels in an attempt to avoid the interference.  

Rebooting the BHR does this as well.  Upon a boot, the router does a wifi scan and automatically drops onto the channel with the least interference, but it doesn't do that actively and in real time.  It only does that on a reboot.

 www.verizon.com/connect

0 Likes
ccrochet1
Enthusiast - Level 1

Same thing here.

My network was doing GREAT until I put a new Cisco HD STB on my network in my son's room.

Now, my MI424WR router seems to reboot randomly 5-6 times per day.

Fortunately, when I'm working from home he's not here, so I can get away with disconnecting power to the Cisco STB during my work hours.

Hope they come up with a solution soon. This is kind of a pain...

Thanks...

-C

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

Just checked for new firmware via my router and got a message saying that 40.21.10.3 is available. Funny, since Verizon swore only two days ago that this version didn't exist. 

Anywaaaaaay...guess I'll take a gamble and upgrade. I suppose it can't make the Rev. I any worse. (I hope.)

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

Just finished with Verizon chat support and while they didn't offer any concrete details on what the new firmware offers, they did state, somewhat vaguely, that it improves stability and minimizes dropped connections. Time will tell, I guess.

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

Ha. Rebooted in less than an hour after upgrading firmware. 

0 Likes
Nugget11
Newbie

Same problem here!  FIOS charged me to "upgrade" to this new router, promising faster speeds and all  I got is headaches.  I'm switching back to my old "slow" router until this is fixed.  So ridiculous.

0 Likes
sangs1
Specialist - Level 2

New firmware, same 24-hour reboot cycle. Back to the Rev. F router again. 

0 Likes
g00py
Contributor - Level 1

Thread on DSLReports.com where people are saying that the new firmware doesn't help their rebooting issue either:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r29047746-New-Firmware?r=111#29049653

0 Likes