Wifi router advice please

LastbutFast

My current wifi router supplied by my isp seems to be giving up the ghost. It is several years old and I’m now getting a red light on it quite frequently and have to switch it off & back on again to reboot it. Time to replace I think but not a clue what to go for. We are both in our 70s, technophobes, using unlimited broadband for searches, news, weather, occasional iplayer and the like, ie we’re not high end gamers 😄. Any advice as what router to go for, preferably easy to set up, would be v appreciated. My thanks in anticipation 

SurferDan

You say that you've had your existing router for several years which suggests that you've been with the same provider for several years. There will be much better (faster, cheaper) broadband deals available to you now which will come with an up to date router.
So first do some research on what the current deals are in your area. Then go to your existing provider and ask them what they can offer to keep a very obviously loyal customer.
If they can't or won't offer a better deal than others available from other providers swap to the best deal you've found.
Don't forget to make use of introductory / cashback offers via the usual sites.
The change between providers is quick and easy nowadays. 

Norman_Castle

If you're not willing to change providers contact your current isp and explain the problem, they may replace your router and will tell you what to check. If you do need to replace yours try asking friends and family. I recently recycled three routers and have a modern router from my previous provider as a back up.

https://router-support.co/red-light-on-router

Cisco001

Ring your internet provider and ask them to sort it out.

Username03725

Cisco001 said:

Ring your internet provider and ask them to sort it out.

This should be your first step. You're paying them for a service which includes the necessary hardware to enjoy the service. Their kit has now broken and is stopping you from making use of what you're paying them for, so they need to send you a new router. A polite request usually produces the required result, but be wary of being talked into a new deal until you've had time to assess whether it suits your needs in terms of costs and commitments. 

Alternatively you might get away with asking friends & family if they have a spare router lying around - most ISPs allow any router but some don't, Sky being one. If you can get hold of one - it's normal to have a couple in a cupboard or under the bed - and still have the login credentials for your service you can do a straight swap.

Your only issue here might be entering the Id & password as you describe yourselves as technophobes. This guide at Default Router Login Details - All Makes and Models - ProPrivacy.com may help you log in to the router, then you'd need to enter your own personal Id & pwd to access your service. A knowledgeable friend or relative might be beneficial here.

couriervanman

As already mentioned phone existing supplier and get a free replacement or better still change provider for cheaper deal.......who are with now and what is the package 

GunJack

Username03725 said:

. You're paying them for a service which includes the necessary hardware to enjoy the service. Their kit has now broken and is stopping you from making use of what you're paying them for, so they need to send you a new router. 

Actually, this isn't true. You're paying for the service, and you've probably had a freebie router from them at the time you started. They are under no obligation to replace a failing router free of charge (and anyway, most ISP-provided routers are a bit pants, truth be told). 

The OP may get a freebie replacement from their ISP if they ask, but they may not.....

Username03725

GunJack said:

Username03725 said:

. You're paying them for a service which includes the necessary hardware to enjoy the service. Their kit has now broken and is stopping you from making use of what you're paying them for, so they need to send you a new router. 

Actually, this isn't true. You're paying for the service, and you've probably had a freebie router from them at the time you started. They are under no obligation to replace a failing router free of charge (and anyway, most ISP-provided routers are a bit pants, truth be told). 

The OP may get a freebie replacement from their ISP if they ask, but they may not.....

It depends on the provider. Some provide the router as part of the deal, some may see it as a loss-leader that gets it all going, but as a bare minimum asking them for a new one is the obvious start point unless the OP sees this as a good opportunity to get a better deal elsewhere.

I included that sentence about the h/w being part of the service not because I see it as an absolute legal obligation, but because some of the older generation - not necessarily our friend the OP - have an excessively deferential attitude to service providers and can easily be swayed into thinking that they don't want to be a nuisance and might feel awkward about asking for a replacement. My f-i-l certainly does given the amount of times we've had to follow up in his dealings with organisations to request either a fairer response and sometimes just the basic legal requirement. So no, there's no legal obligation. But there is a reasonable chance that asking nicely will be a good opening stance, the justification being that they're paying for the service but can't use it.

LastbutFast

GunJack said:

Username03725 said:

. You're paying them for a service which includes the necessary hardware to enjoy the service. Their kit has now broken and is stopping you from making use of what you're paying them for, so they need to send you a new router. 

Actually, this isn't true. You're paying for the service, and you've probably had a freebie router from them at the time you started. They are under no obligation to replace a failing router free of charge (and anyway, most ISP-provided routers are a bit pants, truth be told). 

The OP may get a freebie replacement from their ISP if they ask, but they may not.....

Provider not interested. Says we have had a router FOC when we started with their service several years ago.

JJ_Egan

Key question then is how long left on your current contract .

Router problems BT have always replaced mine .

SurferDan

LastbutFast said

Provider not interested. Says we have had a router FOC when we started with their service several years ago.

They obviously don't want or deserve to be taking your money then.
Find a new provider.