At the current pace of change, the average lifespan for a router is probably about five years. Upgrading every five years ensures that you'll always have the best features and performance without unnecessary side-grades.

Do routers wear out?

Routers wear out from heat stress. The heat that comes from the router working to connect all of your many devices can damage wires and components inside. They have vents that allow the heat to escape. ... The smaller the vents, the easier it is for the router to clog up and overheat.

When should you replace a router?

In general, experts recommend upgrading your router at least every five years. Make that every two to three years if you use lots of smart home gadgets, or if you make a regular habit of buying the latest laptops, phones and other primary Wi-Fi devices.