Student fixes mysterious Linux Wi-Fi dropout by updating old router firmware
An Informatics Engineering student experienced a recurring Wi-Fi issue while switching between Linux distributions on an Acer Nitro 16 laptop, where the internet connection dropped exactly two minutes after connecting despite the Wi-Fi indicator showing a live link. The problem appeared on both Fedora GNOME and PikaOS after system updates, but never occurred on mobile hotspots or USB tethering, pointing away from the OS or drivers as the cause. Over several days, the student tried multiple fixes including disabling Wi-Fi power saving, updating Realtek drivers, changing router channels, and adjusting IP settings, none of which resolved the issue. The problem was ultimately solved by updating the TP-Link TL-WR840N V4 router's firmware to its latest version, after which connectivity was fully restored. The root cause was the router's outdated firmware being incompatible with the modern network stacks present in current Linux kernels.
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