I use a GL-SFT1200.
When I am connected to the Internet via WLAN ethernet, and then I connect a laptop via 2.4 or 5 WiFi networks WWLAN, at times the entire device stops working, WiFi suddenly goes down, and the light turns blue.
It happens so often that it makes it very hard to use it and when I use ethernet only, with both 2.4 and 5 turned off, the issue goes away.
What is strange is that I use a VPN, and so not only do I lose WiFi, but I also lose my VPN connection (going from white light to blue). I then am not able to access the router at all, any way, except for unplugging the power and plugging it back in.
When it first started happening, I was wondering if a neighbor was trying to hack my router, but I didn't see any unexpected clients with access. I also though a neighbor might be trying to disrupt my internet because I was streaming tv shows with the volume on too loud and they were using a device to jam the connection.
I even started to wonder if I was being hacked from the wan to the router, since I sometimes had technical issues while using my computer, leading me to wonder if someone was doing a buffer overflow attack. I also had things selected on my screen, and had to power off my laptop out of concern that someone had gained access. This could have been a random error, but I did run rkhunter and see a suspiciously large shared memory segment on my laptop with 1 suspected rootkit, after which I used timeshift to go back about a week and then ran rkhunter again, with no suspected rootkits.
I got this router from amazon. Amazon is notorious for taking returns and reselling them as new. I wonder if someone could have gotten the device, installed persistent malware, and then returned it in somewhat pristine condition. I don't remember it seeming used when I got it, it looked new. I have installed updated firmware and it didn't help at all.
It probably isn't that and I'm just worried. I was the victim of identity theft once and so am very fearful of hackers.
It seems like this router is defective and I'm not sure if it's in the warranty period. It has been having this problem since I got it, but I mostly have ignored it. It's just so annoying however. It happens sometimes 5 times a day.
I have purchased a large amount of gl-inet products (over $500 at least if not more, at least 5 gl.inet routers so far) and this is the first product from that had been such a hassle and horrible experience.
I don't know if the product is defective, if this particular unit is defective, or if this could be persistent malware or some other problem.
I am getting weird unexpected behavior all the time.
If I was being knocked off WiFi by the channel and band being too crowded, I wouldn't expect it to suddenly disconnect the VPN.
I am in a building with many people, in many small units, and many many WiFi routers. All the channels and bands are somewhat crowded.
I don't know if this is a power supply issue, like I need to use a different outlet, but the unit isn't turning off at any point, just suddenly WiFi and VPN turn off. If there is a possibility this is the problem, I'm happy to do additional testing, but I doubt that's the issue.
Although my issue is not happening from the WWAN, the WLAN is probably using a similar part of the hardware and so it may be a similar issue.
A lot of Internet activity occurs on such a small and affordable device, I don't think the CPU is being overloaded or this is a heat or ram issue, but it's hard to know.
Any suggestions or ideas? I'm about ready to just give up and look at alternative products or brands.
