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How long does a router last? When to replace it

By Roof & Router Team. Updated October 23, 2026.

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How long does a router last? Usually until the updates stop

A home router has no moving parts, so it can keep blinking along for many years. The question that matters is not when it dies but when it stops getting security fixes from its maker.

Once that happens, newly found flaws in the router’s software stay open forever. The FBI and CISA both tell owners to replace routers that are past that point.

No government agency or standards body publishes a standard lifespan in years. The numbers that exist come from manufacturers’ support policies and, in one case below, an internet provider:

• NETGEAR generally ends firmware updates, including security updates, three years after a model’s last sale date.
• TP-Link says, in its policy for the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg only, that its end-of-maintenance date is usually three years after a model’s end of sales. Its general policy page gives no number of years.
• eero guarantees security updates for at least five years from when you bought a device new on eero.com or Amazon.
• All West Communications, an internet provider, says a Wi-Fi router lasts “between three to five years.”

Because the clock usually starts when a model stops being sold, not when you bought yours, a router bought near the end of its run can lose support much sooner than one bought at launch.

What does “end of life” mean for a router?

Manufacturers use slightly different terms, which makes this confusing. Here is the plain version:

• End of sale (or last sale date): the company stops selling the model. It usually still gets fixes for a while.
• End of service, end of support or end of maintenance: the company stops releasing firmware, including security patches. This is the date that matters.

The FBI defines an end-of-life router as one the manufacturer “no longer sells” and “is not actively supporting.” Firmware is the software built into the router that runs everything from Wi-Fi to the admin page.

How long do router manufacturers support their routers?

These are each company’s published policies as of October 2026. Check your own model, since each policy has exceptions.

Sources: NETGEAR End of Service Policy 2025, TP-Link End-of-Life Policy and Benelux End-of-Life Policy, eero Software Security Updates, ASUS Duration of Security Update Support (Australia), Linksys Product End of Life.

Two caveats. ASUS’s dated list is published only for Australia, to meet Australian rules, so it may not apply to models sold in the US. TP-Link’s three-year figure likewise comes from a policy that covers only the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. And NETGEAR notes that routers sold through internet providers may be supported by the provider instead.

eero also says a device keeps working and providing Wi-Fi after its update guarantee ends. That is true of any router. It just will not be patched.

Why is an end-of-life router a security risk?

On May 7, 2025, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center warned that criminals were exploiting end-of-life routers. The FBI said older routers were being infected with variants of TheMoon malware, which “does not require a password” to infect them, and some with remote administration turned on were being turned into proxies that criminals rent out to hide their activity. The FBI said routers dated 2010 or earlier likely no longer receive software updates.

The FBI’s advice: “If the router is at end of life, replace the device with an updated model if possible.” Until then, apply any available firmware updates, turn off remote management and reboot, and use a strong, unique admin password of 16 to 64 characters.

CISA has said the same thing for years. A 2020 CISA alert on vulnerable NETGEAR routers told users to “replace end-of-life devices that are no longer supported with security patches.” On February 5, 2026, CISA went further for federal agencies: Binding Operational Directive 26-02 orders them to remove unsupported edge devices, including routers, within 18 months. That order does not apply to homes, but it shows how seriously the government treats unpatched routers.

For the rest of your setup, see our guide on how to secure your home Wi-Fi.

What are the signs your router is failing?

The FBI lists these common signs of malware on a router:

1. It runs hot. The FBI lists overheating devices.
2. Connections act up. The FBI lists problems with connectivity.
3. Settings change on their own. The FBI lists changes to settings the administrator does not recognize.

Our take: the same symptoms can come from ordinary hardware wear. A router that needs restarting every few days, drops devices, or has a dead Ethernet port or failing lights is worth replacing if a reset and firmware update do not fix it. Before you blame the router, rule out the usual causes in why is my Wi-Fi slow, including where your router sits.

Is a new Wi-Fi standard a reason to upgrade?

Sometimes. Wi-Fi versions are numbered by the Wi-Fi Alliance, the industry group that certifies devices. A newer router only helps if your phones and laptops support the same standard and your internet plan is fast enough to notice.

Sources: Wi-Fi Alliance releases (2019, 2021, 2024); Fierce Network for the 4, 5 and 6 naming.

One practical point: Wi-Fi 6 certification requires WPA3, the newest Wi-Fi security protocol. Many Wi-Fi 5 and older routers lack it. Whether the jump to Wi-Fi 7 is worth paying for is covered in is Wi-Fi 7 worth it. If your problem is coverage rather than age, compare mesh Wi-Fi vs. an extender first.

Should you replace an ISP-rented gateway?

If you rent a combined modem-router (a gateway) from your internet provider, the provider is usually the one that pushes its firmware and decides when it is retired. NETGEAR’s policy, for example, says routers sold through carriers may be supported by the carrier.

That does not mean you will get a new one automatically. Xfinity lets eligible renters request an upgrade online or at a store, says there is no charge if you install it yourself, and warns that with outdated equipment “you won’t get the latest security updates.” Our take: if your rented gateway is several years old, call or check your provider’s account page and ask whether a newer model is available.

Owning your own gear means you track updates yourself, but you choose the hardware. See should you buy your own modem for the trade-offs, and how much internet speed do I need before paying for a faster router.

How do you check your router’s firmware?

The steps vary by brand, but the pattern is the same. NETGEAR’s own instructions are a good example:

1. Connect to the router’s Wi-Fi.
2. Open the maker’s app, or type the router’s admin address into a browser (NETGEAR uses routerlogin.net).
3. Sign in with the admin username and password.
4. Go to Advanced, then Administration, then Firmware Update or Router Update.
5. Click Check, and install any update found.

NETGEAR warns not to interrupt an update or turn off the router while it runs, since that can corrupt the firmware. Write down your model number and current version while you are in there.

Then look up that model on the maker’s end-of-life page. NETGEAR, TP-Link and Linksys all publish lists, and eero publishes end dates by model, as does ASUS for Australia. If your model is listed as past end of service, the FBI’s advice is to replace it.

When should you replace your router? A quick checklist

• Replace now if your model is past its end-of-service or end-of-maintenance date, or if settings keep changing on their own.
• Plan to replace soon if it is near its end date, lacks WPA3, or cannot deliver the speed you pay for over a wired connection.
• Keep it if it still gets firmware updates and does the job. A newer standard alone is not a must.

When you buy, look for a maker that publishes how long each model gets security updates, and buy a current model rather than a discounted one at the end of its run, since support clocks often start at the last sale date.