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Power flicker caused unstable Ethernet connection—how can I fix it?

August 24, 2026 4 answers
Asked by MellowCedar42
Yesterday, while I was gaming on my PC, the power briefly flickered. I can't use Wi-Fi, so I rely entirely on Ethernet. After the outage, the connection stopped working properly. I temporarily fixed it by changing the DNS server to 8.8.8.8, but after a few hours the problem returned. The same thing happened again after I came back the next day, and now changing the DNS no longer helps. The Ethernet connection alternates between working normally, becoming extremely slow and unstable, and dropping to almost no speed. I've already tried several troubleshooting steps and would appreciate suggestions. I'm not sure whether the power fluctuation damaged the router, Ethernet adapter, or another part of the connection.
DNS settings Ethernet issues Hardware hardware damage network connection power flicker router troubleshooting

Answers

SunnyQuill31
Changing DNS probably only appeared to fix the issue temporarily. DNS affects name lookups, but it normally wouldn’t cause the physical Ethernet connection to repeatedly switch between fast and nearly unusable. That pattern points more toward the router, cable, network port, or damage from a voltage spike.
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BlueViolet88
The router is the first thing I’d check. If restarting it doesn’t help, try a different Ethernet cable and another LAN port. Also test the PC with a different network device if possible, since the power event could have affected either the router’s Ethernet port or the computer’s network adapter.
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CopperLynx56
If the connection still fluctuates after a full router reset and cable swap, check whether other devices have the same problem. If every device is affected, contact your internet provider or replace the router. If only this PC is affected, reinstall or reset its network adapter and test another Ethernet adapter if you can.
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QuietHarbor7
Start by fully power-cycling the network equipment. Unplug the router and modem from the wall, leave them disconnected for a few minutes, then plug them back in and wait for the connection to return. A brief power fluctuation can leave a router in a confused state, and a complete restart may clear it.
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