Router making weird squealing noises

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Router making weird squealing noises

gished

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#284636 6-May-2021 07:31

I have a rather old Spark branded HG659 router that's started doing some odd things. Aside from randomly needing a full reboot every couple of weeks it's now decided to start making noises that almost sound like a small 2.5inch hdd screeching. In fact I thought it was one of my hard drives until I heard it after my pc was turned off. Pretty impressive given that there aren't any moving parts in the thing.

Question is, does spark still replace these for free? The online chat person said I'd get charged for it which didn't sound right but I didn't get much more info from them as ironically their site went down (it was after 12am last night)

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Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#2702758 6-May-2021 07:40

Using the correct power supply ?

Ive heard odd noises from various devices and found theyre using the incorrect power supply - swap them out, and seem to be fine again.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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gished

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#2702760 6-May-2021 07:46

It hasn't moved in 4-5 years and using the supplied powersupply.

sbiddle

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#2702764 6-May-2021 07:54

Presumably it will be capacitor squeal so odds are pretty high the device will fail eventually.

Zeon

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#2702816 6-May-2021 09:24

Is it the power supply or router itself making the noise? It will likely be a capacitor. If its the power supply grab another one with the same voltage and it should be fine. If its the router, if you want to stop this you could "re-cap" the board by opening up the case, removing the board and replacing the capacitors. It's not worth it to buy them locally but if you open it up and check the farad and voltage rating of the capacitors you can buy kits from aliexpress really cheap.

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quickymart

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#2702824 6-May-2021 09:38

I'd just get a replacement router if it's doing this and swapping out the power supply doesn't work - as @sbiddle points out, it's probably going to die eventually anyway.

timmmay

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#2702828 6-May-2021 09:48

Check the power supply isn't really hot, might be a fire hazard like one of mine was. Suggest ordering a replacement as it sounds from what people here as saying like it's failing.

gished

276 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2702836 6-May-2021 10:14

Thanks for the replies all. Yeah I figured it was a capacitor that was going to pop and it eventually dying (hence the bomb icon) The powersupply feels a comfy 30-40 degrees.

So does Spark still replace these for free? The Online chat guy at 12:15am said no, which doesn't sound right.

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quickymart

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#2702837 6-May-2021 10:16

You'd probably get a newer router (the Spark smart one), I imagine - I don't think they offer the HG659 anymore.

frankv

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#2702845 6-May-2021 10:32

gished:

So does Spark still replace these for free? The Online chat guy at 12:15am said no, which doesn't sound right.

If Spark insist they won't replace it for free, switch to some other ISP... most will give you a new router for free.

timmmay

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#2702856 6-May-2021 10:58

2degrees will give you a Fritzbox free, not to keep but as a no charge rental, if you commit for a year. 2degrees fiber is really good, I've been with them since fiber started, never had issues and service is really good. If Spark aren't being helpful I'd go to them.

tripper1000

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#2702875 6-May-2021 11:52

+1 swap out the power supply (temporarily at least). The fact that it is cool to touch doesn't mean all is well.

I have heard of Spark/ISP's replacing routers after failure - might mean you have to put up with it until it finally expires which comes with the no-internet for a few days :-( .

If they try and make you pay full price (and you don't want the hassle of changing ISP) check out trademe for a spark branded, up-to-date replacement. People often let them go cheap due to them being "free" to begin with.

duckDecoy

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#2702880 6-May-2021 12:04

timmmay:

Check the power supply isn't really hot, might be a fire hazard like one of mine ways.

Not relevant to the topic, but it reminded me of the time IT rang me and said to disconnect the router because the supplier had issued a recall notice about a potential fire hazard, and I went over to it and just as I was about to pull the plug the top melted inwards! Talk about perfect timing.

DonH

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#2702898 6-May-2021 13:08

It's quite common to find routers in op-shops for a few $. I've seen several Spark branded HG659, used as well as NIB. When my Vodafone HG659 started dropping 2.4GHz Wifi connections, I replaced it with a NIB Vodafone Ultra Hub that I bought for $5.

People hear what they see. - Doris Day

gished

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Ultimate Geek

#2702899 6-May-2021 13:11

I've managed to locate a ubiquiti edgerouter. If I tag the WAN port to VLAN10 will that work or does it really need to be a spark branded device?

I don't need Wifi as that's done via a ubiquiti AP

edit: I might just bang these in and see what happens https://www.spark.co.nz/help/internet/set-up/non-spark-modem/

allan

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#2702913 6-May-2021 14:02

No doesn't need to be a Spark branded device. I'm using a directly connected Netgear Orbi with VLAN tagging and it works just fine. May not on a high speed plan, but I'm only 100/20.

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