Starting up TF2 causes my connection to spike

[Gryphon Osiris]

So, what happens is I load up TF2, the activity lights on my router and modem go crazy, and what start at a nice, gentle 119 ping for the servers becomes no servers found, then fluctuates between a 2000+ ping to a 900+ ping, back to 119, and no servers found. Went out of game, unable to ping yahoo, or my router, however I can ping the loopback so my ethernet card isn't the problem at least. The only fix is to do a hard powerdown for a good 20 seconds then let the router come back online. The router is a WGT624 model that I've had for a few years now. I don't have any securities protocols set up on it to block packs or anything, however I suspect that the router maybe failing on me, any ideas?

 

[SingularPoint]

Reset all the settings, just set everything back to default and see if that helps.

From my experience, Routers only last a good 5-8 years before they're replaced

 

[Gryphon Osiris]

I also have a 2wire modem router I've been meaning to replace this with, so now is a good time.

 

[Gryphon Osiris]

When Valve released the latest update the problem went away, so it might have been related to their last update.