Verizon FIOS Router Actiontec MI424WR-GEN3I Issue - Dropped Connections - Constant Reboots

[g00py]

Chuckh1958: This is what we've learned so far.

Solutions gleaned from this thread and elsewhere: 

1) Disconnect whatever device the router is choking on (security DVR, for example)

2) Ditch the Rev. I and go with an earlier Actiontec router (Rev. F, preferably)

3) Ditch the Rev. I, switch to ethernet and buy a third-party router (although there's some disagreement whether this actually works)

4) Tweak router settings -- disable UPnP, assign a static channel, etc. (This seems to work for some, but not for the vast majority of us.)

Bottom line, it looks like a problem with the Rev. I, which we suspect has buggy firmware. It's been difficult to get confirmation that new firmware is in the works, but I've heard rumors of Q1.

If you call Verizon for support, please ask when they expect new firmware to be delivered.

[Chuckh19581]

How do you know which device its "choking on".

[g00py]

A tech might be able to help by reading your logs, I dunno. It's been suggested to me that I try disconnecting devices one at a time until the rebooting stops. Trial and error, basically.

I've been unwilling to do that, however, since my devices worked fine before I upgraded to the Rev. I and, really, what's the point of having an internet-ready wireless device if you can't connect to the internet? I'm not willing to stop using any of my devices simply because the Rev. I is buggy.

[viafax999]

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@jphilly37 wrote:

Can someone speak more to the idea of having the ethernet port enabled on the ONT box?  I wouldn't mind buying a wifi router if I can just plug it into the ONT box.  Is this actually possible?  What happens to the verizon router does it just hang off the wifi router?  I could care less if the verizon router reboots as long as my internet stays up...  I know I've read a few posts about this, but nothing seemed definative..  If someone could go into more detail about how to set it up.

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You'll find the step by step details that I posted on how to do this on page 17 of this thread.

[Chuckh19581]

The strange thing is that even though the router reboots, the TV never goes out. I thought the TV went through the router too. Is that not true?

[sangs1]

You'd only lose TV if the ONT dropped.

[Chuckh19581]

So I really don't _have_ to use the Verizon router at all?

[TheHangingJudge]

You lose the guide on the tv and possibly some remote dvr functions. This all started happening when the new firmware came out. If I were rebooting more frequently than every 4 days, I would push for the prior firmware. I was running for a year without any problems until the update.

[Chuckh19581]

Automatic updates were disabled on mine yet it still updated to the I firmware.

[g00py]

Chuckh1958: From a FAQ found on Verizon's site: 

Verizon monitors the health of customer connections and receives some data from the router/modem. For example, we get updates when certain events occur, such as the router/modem being reset to factory defaults. Verizon also pushes out updated firmware to the router/modem and may make configuration/setting changes as-needed to add features, correct bugs and improve security.

Wish they were monitoring the health of my connection a little more closely.