Thermal Issues With Home Internet Gateway/Router as a Cause of Dropped/Slow Internet or Wi-Fi Connection

iTinkeralot wrote:

I have not seen a single user report the actual hardware version. This may be an important factor in the equation. The HTML reporting will show the hardware version. I know mine is 3TG00739AAAA and I do not see heat related issues. Is it important? I cannot say for sure but it is a data point that should be considered and posted. I agree with Farjohn 100% the more facts people report in the thread the better the profile of the facts.

The point made about using the power button is an excellent point. If the router is unplugged and the power switch is still on then it stands to reason the battery can still provide power to the LTE and 5G radios but NOT the WIFI radios.

Has anyone with heat issues looked into the top of the can with a flashlight and examined the heat sinks? I recall seeing two in opposition to one another while working with my router. Heat sinks can fall off when the adhesive is not applied properly so look at the heat sinks. If they are not secure the chips are not getting proper heat transfer away. Shake the can and see if it rattles. If it rattles there may be a heat sink that has fallen off the board. In manufacturing there can be equipment runs that are made with materials that are not to spec and this can lead to batch failures. The layout is sort of bilateral with the antennas in a radial pattern around the outside of the internal board. There are (4) WIFI and (4) 5G alternating about the inside of the router. It is common that serial numbers have details for model and other aspects of the appliance in addition to its individual part. If T-Mobile were to provide information on the part(s) of the serial numbers that could be relevant to expose a serial run of components it might be a problem due to components or heat sink glue that is not to spec for a build run that can clarify why some people have head related issues. Adding a fan is a work around. Identification of the root cause is what needs to happen. Data. Not what we think but what is KNOWN. As many facts as possible.

• hardware version
• versión de software
• serial number of units, (sequential pattern could indicate bad manufacturing run)
• heat sinks secure/present
• fan used or not (air transport bottom up)
• environmental factors (warm, cool, sunny, shade etc…
• number of wired and/or wireless devices recorded on the Overview page
• details recorded (bullet the facts) make things obvious and quick to consume
• alarms reported on the LED panel in the top of the can (yes/no)
• indication of periodic element or total random
• Report the upload and download of cell data and primary/secondary channels
• record the “Running Time” if possible with issues present from the HTML page (192.168.12.1)
• Record the “Data Sent” & “Data Received” values from the Status/WIFI reporting (this may help relate the traffic loading over the uptime period) 
• SHARE this collection of data points with T-Mobile support engineers
• Add any other data points, facts that you feel may be important
• Discuss common factors in the thread with others

Great list, I think the only other thing I would add is ambient temperature. You do mention environmental factors (warm, cool, sunny, shade etc…) that can be helpful say if its in front of a window or not. Then again my windows don't shot much of a change in temp with the double glass UV prevention coatings.
So if your in a climate controlled environment the ambient temp may also play a part in this troubleshooting.