What is the main reason for ADSL modem/routers dying? [closed]

"He left it for a reason. They are dirt cheap, have no user-serviceable parts and, therefore, are virtually worthless to fix.

Your router doesn't have to fall or be be ""electrocuted"" to go bad. Normal household power glitches can damage it. The data or power connectors can come loose internally. Overheating can cause any of the electrical components to stop working (temporary or permanent). Less likely, but the firmware (software) can become corrupted.

You can pop it open to see if there is anything obvious (broken connector, loose wires, etc). But, other than that, there are likely few, if any, user-serviceable parts in there."

"The common problem after lightning strikes is short varistor at ADSL input. Varistor should dissipate excessive surge. But if the surge is too much, it will short or change varistors characteristics.

If that is the only fault then Power, Ethernet, Wi-Fi lights are still on, and even ADSL may connect on slow speed. The last one is particularly difficult to troubleshoot as it might look like the line or ISP fault. Try another modem to check if the line is ok. To quick fix a blown varistor disconnect it, albeit modem will be unprotected from the next surge."

In my experience, the either die from power issues (surges, not being filtered); or from overheating. A lot of home users put them in nice sensible places like ontop of radiators, which doesn't do them much good..