Is it safe to buy a used router?

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Dec 30th, 2019 2:52 am

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Dec 23rd, 2019 6:34 pm

ausername [OP]: Sr. Member; May 2, 2014; 512 posts; 212 upvotes

Dec 23rd, 2019 6:34 pm

Is it safe to buy a used router?

I am seeing some routers, like the TP Link C9 and some Asus's for like 50-70 bucks...
i suspect that since there are not many moving parts in them, not much wear and tear?

15 replies

Dec 23rd, 2019 6:41 pm

eblend: Deal Addict; Jul 21, 2005; 2077 posts; 1125 upvotes; Alberta

Dec 23rd, 2019 6:41 pm

For the most part should be okay. People probably just upgrade to something new and quicker and cooler looking, and put rest of their stuff on the used market to make up some of the cost.

Dec 23rd, 2019 6:50 pm

intx: Deal Addict; Jan 23, 2003; 1025 posts; 276 upvotes; Mississauga

Dec 23rd, 2019 6:50 pm

The 'moving parts' theory is overrated.

Although technically, there are moving parts in chips, they are just electrons on a microscopic scale that eventually wear down the 'walls' inside a chip. Heat usually causes it to wear down faster.

But yes, most wifi routers tend to wear down and eventually fail, I haven't looked into exactly why, but my guess is because wifi chipsets generate a lot of heat and the majority of the home routers do not have cooling fans.

https://www.howtogeek.com/125747/is-it- ... ear-out-2/
https://superuser.com/questions/238961/ ... ep-failing
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimf ... eem_to_go/

It's actually a lot like car engines. Car engines have 'moving parts' but can last nearly 'forever' if:
1. originally built to last
2. well maintained
3. well cooled

Same thing applies to computers/electronics. CPU Processors tend to have no problems because they are usually built to last, and nearly all have a cooling fan and heat sink with them. The ones that don't tend to die quicker (unless they don't produce much heat to begin with).

Then you have brand new TVs that only last a year, despite being LCD + LED lit, in theory, should last a long time, but the manufacturer cut corners somewhere and that particular model isn't 'built to last.'

Yet people often expect these to last forever because 'no moving parts.'

+6

Dec 23rd, 2019 9:18 pm

ausername [OP]: Sr. Member; May 2, 2014; 512 posts; 212 upvotes

Dec 23rd, 2019 9:18 pm

intx wrote: ↑ The 'moving parts' theory is overrated.

Although technically, there are moving parts in chips, they are just electrons on a microscopic scale that eventually wear down the 'walls' inside a chip. Heat usually causes it to wear down faster.

But yes, most wifi routers tend to wear down and eventually fail, I haven't looked into exactly why, but my guess is because wifi chipsets generate a lot of heat and the majority of the home routers do not have cooling fans.

https://www.howtogeek.com/125747/is-it- ... ear-out-2/
https://superuser.com/questions/238961/ ... ep-failing
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimf ... eem_to_go/

It's actually a lot like car engines. Car engines have 'moving parts' but can last nearly 'forever' if:
1. originally built to last
2. well maintained
3. well cooled

Same thing applies to computers/electronics. CPU Processors tend to have no problems because they are usually built to last, and nearly all have a cooling fan and heat sink with them. The ones that don't tend to die quicker (unless they don't produce much heat to begin with).

Then you have brand new TVs that only last a year, despite being LCD + LED lit, in theory, should last a long time, but the manufacturer cut corners somewhere and that particular model isn't 'built to last.'

Yet people often expect these to last forever because 'no moving parts.'

you just rocked my world

Dec 24th, 2019 12:13 am

M1K3Z0R: Deal Fanatic; May 11, 2009; 8314 posts; 5268 upvotes; Trudostan

Dec 24th, 2019 12:13 am

I thought this was going to be a security-related question, in which case flashing the firmware should put your mind at ease.

It can be risky buying a used router, but not much more so than any other computer gear. It's possible that the router was run hard under load and ran hot, just like video cards that were used for mining the lifespan may have been cut short, so you need to balance that against how good of a deal you're getting and decide if it's worth it for you.

SAMSUNG SUCKS! NO SSD WARRANTY IN CANADA > https://forums.redflagdeals.com/has-any ... d-2098075/

+2

Dec 24th, 2019 1:06 am

lead: Deal Guru; Nov 21, 2002; 11771 posts; 4148 upvotes; Winnipeg

Dec 24th, 2019 1:06 am

do a 30/30/30 reset reboot and anything would be erased back to stock.Heck you can even re-flash and 30/30/30 too

Most routers, quality built, can run for ever unless over heated or abused in some manner(dirty power too). Its the psu that tends to equaly if not more fail/fault first. If a router was fine for a long time on same firmware and then starts failing. Often overlooked its the psu not supplying appropriate current anymore since they tend to flow larger amounts of electricity than the routers experience.

+1

Dec 24th, 2019 1:08 am

badOne: Deal Fanatic; Mar 31, 2017; 6729 posts; 3009 upvotes

Dec 24th, 2019 1:08 am

The transmitter on a router does wear out, leading to lower signal strength or other wifi issues. Some of the routers might be on the market because from day 1 the model had poor wifi to beging with by design.

Dec 24th, 2019 1:14 am

Warlock: Deal Addict; Sep 10, 2004; 2899 posts; 921 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 24th, 2019 1:14 am

ausername wrote: ↑ Is it safe to buy a used router?

Depends.
Failures after a few years due to overheating is not unusual.

And for users who are security conscious,
Depending on router model,
Poor and/or lack of firmware updates is another concern.

+1

Dec 24th, 2019 8:23 am

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 13725 posts; 5425 upvotes; Ontario

Dec 24th, 2019 8:23 am

If concerned you can always provide better cooling for the router. Also be sure to reset & update the firmware on it if its available.

I bought a used ASUS RT-AC5300, I ripped it apart cleaned it all out and then stuck a 120mm fan on top connected to one of the usb ports. I runs around 10-15c cooler then if I was to remove the fan & its a slow moving silent fan so I dont even notice it.

0_o
<_<
>_>
New Furnace/AC Time?

Dec 24th, 2019 11:41 am

dmehus: Deal Addict; Mar 25, 2012; 3932 posts; 2991 upvotes; British Columbia

Dec 24th, 2019 11:41 am

Why? Routers are cheap, unless you're getting one of those mesh routers for your overly large house. We just buy the cheapest DLink model for $20-40 once every 5 years or so and recycle the old one.

Cheers,
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+2

Dec 25th, 2019 12:03 pm

KosMos: Deal Addict; Jan 13, 2009; 1567 posts; 192 upvotes; Oakville

Dec 25th, 2019 12:03 pm

ausername wrote: ↑ Is it safe to buy a used router?

No.
It may come with bugs.
Like cockroaches or spiders.

Dec 25th, 2019 12:24 pm

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 20331 posts; 6503 upvotes; London

Dec 25th, 2019 12:24 pm

KosMos wrote: ↑ No.
It may come with bugs.
Like cockroaches or spiders.

Bedbugs

Edit - actually happened to an RFDer. He bought a “really good” used dishwasher. His next thread was “what’s the best way to rid of cockroaches?”

Dec 29th, 2019 8:17 pm

xsilver: Jr. Member; Aug 7, 2004; 114 posts; 77 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 29th, 2019 8:17 pm

Reset the router to default factory settings and flash the latest firmware.

Only concern is that the routers get old and overheated so components like capacitors might start to fail over time.

Dec 29th, 2019 9:05 pm

akito925: Deal Guru; Jan 11, 2004; 10373 posts; 1105 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 29th, 2019 9:05 pm

badOne wrote: ↑ The transmitter on a router does wear out, leading to lower signal strength or other wifi issues. Some of the routers might be on the market because from day 1 the model had poor wifi to beging with by design.

the cheaper routers e.g Tp links, transmissters tend to die after a year.

i would buy brand new for peace of mind.

an cheap brand new one is $30.

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Dec 30th, 2019 12:30 am

Jimbobs: Deal Fanatic; Nov 1, 2006; 9521 posts; 3741 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 30th, 2019 12:30 am

ausername wrote: ↑ I am seeing some routers, like the TP Link C9 and some Asus's for like 50-70 bucks...
i suspect that since there are not many moving parts in them, not much wear and tear?

With the usual cautions, yes, it is as safe to buy a used router as any other used electronic equipment.

My first step would be to check the reviews for the product and make sure it's what you want. Next step would be to check most recent retail prices. Now look for used routers on Kijiji or Craiglist and get an idea of prices for used routers. Now look look for a router with original packaging. And, finally, look for any physical defects (scorch marks, deformations, rattles, etc.) and trust your gut when dealing with any seller. Always ask to plug in the router and watch it light up. If the seller is reluctant to do that, run!

Dec 30th, 2019 2:52 am

burnt69: Deal Addict; Oct 6, 2015; 2463 posts; 1401 upvotes

Dec 30th, 2019 2:52 am

If you're a high security site, and someone wants to steal your data, its certainly possible that a router could be surreptitiously modified to facilitate an off-site VPN into the network, and hence, a backdoor to the network.

But someone would have to be specifically targeting you for that to be applicable, and they'd need to be pretty tech savvy to pull off such a feat.

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