Connection of PLEK400 Drops and All Lights Go Dark

Question

My computer is in my bedroom on the second floor, while my router is on the first. From the moment I got my computer I've had problems with the wireless connection (As in it NEVER worked), so I bought a Belkin Wi-FI extender that worked nicely for about a year. It was a done deal and all was fine, until a few weeks ago when it went bad and I had to get rid of it. As wireless still didn't work (I'm really assuming it has to do with the connection to my computer from the router being too weak, as I have a crappy router-and-modem-in-one device which was provided by my ISP (Windstream)), I decided I needed another network extender. After lots of research, I set my sights on the PLEK400 which I then purchased along with some generic ethernet cables from Staples. I plugged one into the wall downstairs with an ethernet cable running from it to the router, and plugged another one into the wall close to my PC with an ethernet cable connecting the PL unit to the PC. The connection established, and I was overjoyed that my PC finally had Internet after those few Internet-less weeks. However, after browsing the Internet for a while, I went to open a new tab, and for some reason, I got the error err_network_changed (My browser is Google Chrome). I looked down at the PL unit and all of the lights were dark, none of them lit. After refreshing the error page a few times, it righted itself, the page loaded, and the two lights were flashing with the power one a solid green, like normal. Strange, I thought. However, this problem has begun to occur every 5 to 10 minutes. This would not be an issue, however, I am a gamer, so when I am Skyping my friends and playing online and the call drops and I have to disconnect every 5 - 10 minutes, I become very agitated. vv IMPORTANT? vvOur house is very old, so the entire thing is on the same breaker, so I know it's not that. I've heard that when there is a lot of electrical noise in an outlet (Many things connected to it), that can cause problems, so I'm going to state for the record that the powerstrip on which my entire PC setup operates and my upstairs PL unit are plugged into the same traditional two-plug outlet. (Don't know whether that may be a problem or not.)^^ IMPORTANT? ^^ I would really like to get these working or send them back as the entire setup (PLEK400 and ethernet cables) cost me about $60 - $70, and as a teen, that's a bit of money to me. Fast response is greatly appreciated by anyone who has any solutions to offer. I will be checking this post frequently throughout the night and following days for anyone who has anything to offer. If this is a product limitation and there is no way to fix it, PLEASE JUST TELL ME SO. I prefer to return everything and seek alternate solutions than wait too long for a solution that may never come to the point where I can no longer return anything and I am out $60 - $70. TL;DR: Lights on PL unit go dark, no internet for a minute or two, lights come back on, internet works again. Happens every 5 - 10 minutes. All replys are great, fast ones, especially so. As previously stated, any help is appreciated!!!! Thanks so much in advance, --Edwin

Answer 1

If you say that all lights go dark (including the power light), it means that the device itself is power cycling which is not a good thing. If it was just the power line light or the ethernet light, it would have been normal since that indicates disconnection, but if it's the power light, that's a different story. Does this only happen if you are using the internet or does it act the same way even on standby?   Press and hold the reset button of the device for 10 seconds using a pen or a paper-clip and powercycle the unit. It will also help isolate the situation if you try a different power source. BTW, have you tried checking if the 1 port PLE switch is acting the same way?