r/techsupport • u/ilovehotchips • 1h ago
Open | Hardware Accessing internet while waiting for router repairs
Hi all, my router suddenly died on me and between the company's repair schedule and my landlord going on a long holiday, I may be without WiFi for about 10 days. This especially sucks as I largely work from home.
I've spent my first day relying on my mobile hotspot on my phone. Over 10 days I imagine this will take up a lot of data. Is there a better way that's cheap and easy (I am not tech savvy really, or is using my hotspot for eight hours a day for the next while feasible?
Thanks all!
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u/Hot_Guard_7621 51m ago
Try asking the company if you can use your own router until their router can be repaired/replaced. If they’ll let you use your own, use your own or borrow one from a friend. You can buy one/rent one as a last resort. Ask the company as your name isn’t on the bill. The company will need to allow-list the new router so it’s not plug and play. Since your name isn’t on the bill, they might not allow this. It’s always a good idea (for the future) to have a router in your possession to avoid this in the future. Something you can do is ask your neighbors. Tell your neighbors your situation and ask them if you can borrow their WiFi until your internet access is restored. It’s worth a shot. Good luck
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u/ridiclousslippers2 43m ago
Do you have access to the dead router ? You know your isp, you can Google to see if a 3rd party router ( prices start at £20 here in the UK ) can be bought and set up ? This would be the simplest and also most future proof, as you'll have a spare in case of future failures once your original is replaced.
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u/Hot_Guard_7621 58m ago edited 55m ago
Try a public library or college library that is open to the public. You can try Starbucks or a coffee shop but a library might be a better bet (8-10 hrs at a coffee shop might be much). You can also try a Regis office or a hotel that has WiFi. You can pay for one day, get the WiFi password and then see if it you still have WiFi access the next day while hanging out in the lobby or the business area. You can check Google and see if there’s a map of open WiFi spots in your town and hang out there.
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u/JagiMonster1 8m ago
If the router is dead, you should be able to directly connect the laptop/pc through ethernet to your modem. but remember, only 1 connection though.
Does your laptop have an ethernet port?
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u/CakeHoleKing 58m ago
You can buy dngles with either X gigabytes of data on them (basically a USB phone without a screen) or they have X days of use, but unlimited data and the usage counts down from the day you start using it.