Your WiFi router is probably too old if it drops out every day, can't reach rooms it once covered, runs hot, or hasn't had an update in years. Another giveaway is a router with no 5 GHz band, which means your newer phones and smart TVs never get their full speed. In Simon's Town, salt air off False Bay can push a tired router over the edge sooner.
Quick answer
An old WiFi router shows itself through daily drop-outs, slow speeds even close to the router, no 5 GHz band, no recent firmware updates, heat and corrosion. Try a restart, an update and a better spot first. If it still struggles, a dual-band WiFi 6 router, or a mesh system for split-level homes, is the fix.
Eight signs your WiFi router is too old
One sign on its own isn't proof. Two or three together usually are, especially if the router came free with an internet deal several years ago. Tick three or more and our DStv installers in Simon's Town can test it for you.
- You restart it every few days just to keep things working.
- It has only one WiFi network and no 5 GHz option.
- Speed tests next to the router fall far short of the package you pay for.
- New phones, laptops or TVs connect slowly or keep dropping off.
- Some phones show a weak security warning when they join your network.
- The app or settings page hasn't offered a firmware update for a long time.
- It feels hot to the touch, or the ports and power plug show rust or white crust.
- It slows to a crawl when more than a few people are online.
Read the label on your WiFi router
Turn the router over and look for the model number and the WiFi standard. Newer boxes say WiFi 5, 6 or 7, while older ones list a code that starts with 802.11. That code tells you more about its age than anything else.
| Label shows | What it means | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| 802.11n or WiFi 4 | An older standard, often 2.4 GHz only | Replace it |
| 802.11ac or WiFi 5 | Dual-band, still common in homes | Keep it if it's updated and coping |
| 802.11ax or WiFi 6 | Built for many devices at once | Keep it and fix placement first |
| WiFi 6E or WiFi 7 | The newest standards | No need to replace |
| No standard printed | Often an old provider router | Look up the model or ask us |
If the model number brings up nothing but old forum posts, that tells you something too. Makers stop updating routers after a few years, and an unsupported box is a security risk as well as a slow one. Send us the model number and we'll tell you where it stands.
Why an old WiFi router can't keep up any more
Your internet got faster, the router didn't
Many homes have moved from a slow line to fibre but kept the same router. If a laptop on a network cable gets full speed and WiFi in the same room gets half, the router is the bottleneck.
More devices than it was built for
A few years ago a home might have had two phones and a laptop. Now there are smart TVs, tablets, cameras, a decoder and a speaker or two. Older routers deal with devices one after another, so each new one slows the rest.
Guesthouses and holiday flats along St George's Street feel this most, with every guest bringing two or three devices. Our page on DStv for guesthouses covers the TV side of that setup.
Streaming on the TV asks for more
Catch Up, DStv Stream and Netflix all lean on the router. The Explora Ultra has built-in WiFi and streaming apps, and a Streama needs a stable connection with no dish at all, as our Streama buyer guide explains.
If you're connecting your Explora to the internet, a weak old router shows up as buffering and failed downloads.
Need DStv help in Simon's Town?
Tell us what you need or what your screen shows. We price the job before we drive out.
Salt air, steep streets and old walls in Simon's Town
Salt air off False Bay gets into everything, and electronics are no exception. A router on a windowsill in Glencairn or near the harbour can grow white crust on its ports and power plug. That causes random drop-outs that look like an internet fault.
Many homes in Murdock Valley, Da Gama Park and Welcome Glen are stacked up steep slopes, with the living area on one level and bedrooms on another. One router on the bottom floor rarely reaches the top. That's a coverage problem as much as an age problem.
The Victorian and heritage buildings in the old town have thick stone walls that block WiFi badly. We meet the same walls when mounting on heritage walls, and a cable is often the only way through. Outbuildings are similar, as our guide to WiFi to a guest cottage shows.
Technician tip
Before you buy anything, run a speed test standing right next to the router, then in the room where it's slow. If both are poor, suspect the line or the router itself. If only the far room is poor, better placement or a mesh unit may solve it without a new router.
Try these fixes before you replace it
- Switch the router off at the wall for 30 seconds, then on again.
- Open the app or settings page and install any firmware update.
- Move it out of cupboards and away from windows, onto an open shelf.
- Connect TVs and laptops near the router to the 5 GHz network, if it has one.
- Plug the main TV or decoder in with a network cable.
- Check the connected devices list and change the password if you see strangers.
Safety first
If the power adapter is hot, swollen or smells of burning, unplug it at the wall and don't use it again. Never open the router or the fibre box. If an outdoor antenna or roof cable is involved, leave the ladder work to a technician.
If these steps don't fix it, the router has likely reached the end of its useful life, and it's time to call a technician.
Choosing a replacement WiFi router
For most flats and single-level homes, a dual-band WiFi 6 router is the sensible upgrade. It handles many devices, gets regular updates and has a phone app that makes changes easy.
For split-level houses on the mountain, a mesh router system is usually better than one strong box. Two or three units share one network name and hand your phone over as you walk upstairs. It's also more reliable than an extender, and our list of mistakes with a WiFi extender shows why.
Router prices vary widely between shops and change with every special, so compare on the day. If your router came from your provider, ask them whether a newer model is available before you buy one.
Book a router check in Simon's Town
Not sure whether to fix or replace? Our WiFi and network setup team tests your line, checks the router and shows you the results before recommending anything. We can sort out the TV connection on the same visit.
We quote before we drive out. Book a router check and we'll often be there the same or next day, depending on the schedule.
WiFi router: FAQs
How old is too old for a WiFi router?
Age matters less than ability. If your router only supports WiFi 4 (802.11n), has no 5 GHz band or no longer gets updates, it's too old whatever the date on the box. A WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 router that still gets updates and copes with your devices can keep going.
How often should you replace your WiFi router?
There's no fixed date. Replace it when it stops getting firmware updates, when your internet package outgrows it, or when it can't cope with the number of devices at home. Checking once a year, or whenever you upgrade your fibre, is a sensible habit.
Will a new WiFi router improve my WiFi range?
A newer router can help, especially if the old one was 2.4 GHz only or badly placed. But no single router pushes through thick stone walls or up three floors. In those homes, a mesh system or a network cable to the far room makes the bigger difference.
What are the signs your router is dying?
Frequent drop-outs, needing a restart every few days, lights that blink in odd patterns, heat, and corrosion on the ports are the common ones. If a laptop on a network cable also struggles while your provider says the line is fine, the router is the likely culprit.
Is a mesh router worth it for a split-level home in Simon's Town?
Usually, yes. Homes stacked up the slopes above the harbour often have living space and bedrooms on different levels, and one router can't reach both well. A mesh system puts a unit on each level, so the signal follows you up the stairs.