how to repair modem

[Solution] How to Troubleshoot My Modem

1. Understand the basic terminology. Computing is notorious for having a lot of acronyms and jargon that can be hard to wrap your head around.
2. Find your modem's diagnostics page. Most modern modems do have such a feature to aid people with solving technical problems.
3. Login to your modem. Login if your modem allows its users to connect to their own server settings page.

Full Answer

How often should you replace your modem?

You may want to consider replacing your modem when:

• You’re no longer satisfied with the speed and quality of the internet connection.
• New features are available you can’t do without.
• Your internet service provider supports new networking standards not supported by your modem.

How to fix my modem?

What to Know

• Unplug the router and modem. Wait at least 30 seconds. Plug in the modem and press the power button to turn it on, if needed.
• Wait at least 60 seconds and then plug in the router. Press the power button to turn it on, if needed.
• Wait at least 2 minutes before testing or using the devices.

Is the problem with my modem or my router?

• Loose power or coax connections
• Damaged Ethernet cable connections
• Miscommunication with the router
• Overheating
• Outdated firmware or equipment

How to troubleshoot common router and modem problems?

Steps

1. Understand the basic terminology. Computing is notorious for having a lot of acronyms and jargon that can be hard to wrap your head around.
2. Find your modem's diagnostics page. Most modern modems do have such a feature to aid people with solving technical problems.
3. Login to your modem. ...
4. Check the status of each of the modem's stages. ...

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What causes modems to stop working?

Some things to check before replacing your modem include a loose power connection or faulty power adapter, a bad incoming cable connection (coax cable) from the wall, overheating (as mentioned above), or an overworked modem. If your modem doesn't respond and all lights are on, this is a sign your modem is dead.

How do I fix my Wi-Fi modem?

ContentsCheck Your WiFi Router's Lights.Reboot Your Router and Modem.See if Your WiFi is Working on Other Devices.Make Sure There Is Not an Internet Outage in Your Area.Connect to Your WiFi Router with an Ethernet Cable.Reset Your Router to Factory Settings.Remove Any Obstructions Blocking Your WiFi Signal.More items...•

How do I know if my modem is broken?

5 Warning Signs Your Cable Modem is DyingConnection indicator lights have turned off even if you can still surf the web.Data transfers/downloads are slow.The connection speeds are slow.The modem is making a lot of loud or weird noises.The modem turns off or stops functioning.

Why is my modem connected but no internet?

If all your devices get no internet connection, yet your WiFi indicator is still on, the most obvious answer is that your internet provider has an outage. Before you start rebooting and shuffling wires around, it's always a good idea to check this first.

Why does my modem say no internet?

It could be due to broken cables, service disruptions, or just about anything else that's not within your control. That said, it's important to know if the problem lies with your Internet provider. For this, check if the “Internet” light on the modem is working. Ideally, the power and DSL lights should be turned on.

How much is a new modem?

Cable modem and Wi-Fi router prices range from $50 up to $350 each. So, if you decide to purchase one of each at mid-range prices, you'll potentially spend an average of $250. If your monthly rental fee would have been $10/mo, that means you'll have paid off a $250 modem in about two years.

How long do modems usually last?

between two and five yearsLower-end modems tend to have a two to three-year lifespan, while higher-end modems typically last more than five years. In general, you can expect a modem to last between two and five years before it has to be replaced due to failure or obsolescence.

How do you know if you need a new modem?

How do you know if you need a new modem?You can't connect to the internet.Your Internet connection randomly drops out.You frequently have to reset or restart your modem.Your streaming is lagging.Your internet speeds are inconsistent.Your modem's indicator light remains unlit.Your modem runs constantly hot.More items...•

Does a modem go bad?

A cable modem could need replacing every four to seven years based on changing Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standards. Replacing your modem when you see the first signs of sluggish internet speeds or available new features can ensure you get the fastest, most reliable connection possible.

How often should you replace your modem?

Typically, you should look to upgrade or replace your cable modem every two to four years. Newer cable modem technology, such as DOCSIS 3.1, can have a variety of improvements, including faster download speeds, faster uplink speeds, enhanced streaming capabilities, DOCSIS 3.1 capabilities and more.

How do you tell if it's your router or modem?

If your device is having trouble connecting to WiFi, you may need to check your router to solve the problem. You can often visually distinguish a router from a modem by looking for antennae. Because routers need to distribute a WiFi signal, they will usually have one or more antennae sticking out.

How to fix a broken USB cable?

Step 1: Materials Required. In order to repair a modem that has had the usb connector broken like in my situation, you will need the following: 1) Soldering iron. 2) Solder. 3) A "third hand" or some sort of mechanism to hold the components will you solder. I used a Panavise and a third hand. 4) A sharp razor or some wire strippers ...

How to insulate wires from each other?

The method I took to insulate the wires from each other was to insulate each of the wires after solder them. That is to say, after soldering the white to white wire, I then insulated it. The rationale for that is that it is easier to do this while they are separated than to try and do this after they are all soldered.#N#Once they are all soldered and insulated individually, group them together and insulate them together using liquid tape. You can bypass liquid tape for this last step if you are able to get your hands on shrink tubing small enough for this size wire harness AND remember to position it prior to starting the soldering of the wires.

How to solder wires?

In order to solder the wires, secure one half of the wire harness in a panavise or one of the clips from the third hand, and the second half of the wire harness to another of the clips from the third hand. Due to the restricted space inside of the housing and through which the wire harness passes, I opted to not braid the two halves of the wire. Instead, unbraid the wires from the one half, and unbraid the wires from the other half of the wire as well. Then bring them both together and squeeze them so they mesh together. Now solder. Follow these steps for all of the wires. Remember to solder white to white, black to black, green to green, and red to red.

How to fix a modem that won't connect to Wi-Fi?

If you're experiencing any Wi-Fi issues, the first thing you need to try is to completely disconnect your modem from all cables and power. Let it sit for about half a minute and then plug everything back in.

How to update router firmware?

You can check the manufacturer's web site or the control panel to learn how to update your firmware. Most routers made these days have a built-in function that checks for updates. This function will download updates automatically.

What happens if the light is off on my router?

Internet If the light is off, no Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem (the main source of the internet usually provided by Bell, Cogeco or your Internet Provider). WiFi Some routers will have a WiFi symbol for turning on/off the wireless signal.

What is the difference between a router and a modem?

To make things clear, the modem is what connects your home to the internet and the router connects the Wi-Fi to your devices.

What does it mean when your modem is online?

Online (Ready) — After confirming upstream and downstream frequencies, the online light will begin to flash as the modem acquires an IP address. When this occurs, you’re officially online. Depending on your device, the light may emit a steady or flashing light when working properly.

What do the lights on my modem mean?

First off, you should understand what your modem's lights mean. These lights will also blink, change colors, and do all sorts of things. It's advised that you have a manual with you so that you can understand what your modem is trying to tell you. For most modems, there is a power, globe, ethernet, and Wi-Fi icon.

What is the icon on my modem?

For most modems, there is a power, globe, ethernet, and Wi-Fi icon. Others may have more icons for extra features like USB or a reset symbol.

How to fix a modem that won't register?

Unplug the modem. Wait a few minutes and then plug it back in. Your modem should attempt registration with your internet service provider again. You should see status indicators on the modem to let you know its progress. If it fails to register, it reboots and starts from the beginning. If you continue to experience issues, you'll need to contact your ISP to send out a cable technician to look at your line. It's also possible your modem is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Why is my modem signal out of specs?

From time to time, modem signal levels can become out of specs. This is usually a symptom of degrading or underperforming hardware or another problem. This is the first step many technicians will take when sent out to your home to diagnose an internet connection issue.

What should the power level of a cable modem be?

Upstream power levels should be between 40 - 50 dBmV. Think of this measurement as how loud your modem has to scream to be heard by the CMTS. If you are transmitting less than 40 dBmV, your upstream SNR will degrade (If you're whispering and the CMTS is shouting at the same time, they'll have trouble hearing). If it's higher than about 50 dBmV, your cable modem may intermittently go offline or have a high number of uncorrectable codeword errors.

What is a headend modem?

This is a piece of equipment operated by your ISP that manages all the cable modems and connects them to the internet. From here, network engineers can check the health of your modem as well as reboot it remotely and push configuration changes to it.

What does "OK" mean on a modem?

Acquire Downstream Channel: This should say "Locked", "OK" or similar. This means your modem found the frequency with which to receive information from the internet. There should always be at least 1 channel acquired with a DOCSIS 1.1 or 2.0 modem. If you have a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, you should be acquiring up to the maximum your modem supports (8 or 16).

What does "upstream" mean in cable modem?

Upstream: This means away from you and towards the internet and your internet service provider. Your cable modem is connected to a coaxial cable that leaves your house. Think of wherever that goes as upstream. Downstream: The opposite of upstream. This means information coming down from the internet to your modem.

What happens when you tune your radio?

Frequency: When you tune your radio or change your TV channel, you are telling the device to listen at a different frequency. Channels are also used to send information destined for the internet over the cable network in pretty much the same way that TVs do.

How to fix modem driver error?

You can fix Modem Driver errors via the Device Manager or by using a reliable Driver Management Tool. The latter can be a fast and reliable way of fixing and preventing driver-related issues.

How to reinstall modem drivers in Windows XP?

To achieve this in Windows XP, perform the following steps: Click Start. Click Run. In the Open dialog box, type devmgmt.msc, and then press Enter.

How to uninstall modem driver?

Click the Driver tab. Click the Uninstall button, and follow the onscreen instructions to uninstall the driver. Insert the modem driver disc in your CD/DVD-ROM and follow the onscreen instructions to install the driver. After you have reinstalled the modem drivers, try connecting to the Internet via the modem.

Why are my modem drivers not installed?

The modem drivers were not installed when you first connected the modem to your computer. The modem drivers are improperly configured. The modem drivers you installed are not compatible with your operating system. The modem driver files are corrupt.

What is modem driver?

Modem drivers are software programs that allow your computer to access and use the installed modem.

How long does a router last?

A typical router used for small businesses and homes last three to five years and should be replaced accordingly.

What is mesh wifi?

In the mesh Wifi system, also known as Whole Home WiFi, a main router is directly connected to the modem while numerous nodes are placed throughout the area of needed service.

What is the purpose of a router?

The router also directs the traffic of data packets between the two networks and the Internet. Data packets include emails, images, web pages, etc. It is impossible for a computer to connect to the Internet without a router. Routers can come in all shapes and sizes.

What is a router used for?

Routers can come in all shapes and sizes. Smaller routers are typically used for homes and small offices. These kinds of routers are usually the owner's cables or the DSL router that connects to the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

What is a small router?

These kinds of routers are usually the owner's cables or the DSL router that connects to the Internet Service Provider (ISP). Larger and more sophisticated routers, such as enterprise routers, are used to connect large business or ISP networks to the even larger core routers that make up the backbone of the Internet. The service information on this page will focus on the smaller routers rather than the larger ones.

How to restart a modem?

Restarting your modem and router is as easy as unplugging all your equipment , waiting a couple of minutes, then plugging in your modem and plugging in your router after your modem has powered back up .

How long does it take for a router to rest?

Then it’s time to step away. You want your router and modem to rest for a bit so the equipment’s memory has time to refresh. This will take about a minute or two —but letting your equipment rest for longer won’t hurt it. Go make a cup of coffee, chat with a family member, or take your dog out for a walk while you wait.

How to save settings after restart?

1. Unplug your router and modem. First, you’ll want to unplug both your router and modem from the power outlet in the wall. Next, you’ll want to unplug any connections between your modem and wireless router. Then it’s time to step away.

What does it mean when you restart your router?

Resetting your router will completely wipe any configurations you’ve saved and restore your router to its factory default settings. That means you’ll have to set up your password, network name (SSID), and more all over again.

Why update your firmware?

We also recommend updating your equipment’s firmware and apps to make sure you have the latest technical issue fixes and optimizations. Updated firmware can help you get faster internet speeds , and who could say no to that?

Is it normal to see flashing lights on a router?

Again, you’ll probably see lots of flashing lights at first—this is still normal as the router goes through the process of starting all of its processes back up again.

Do you plug in your modem first?

We repeat, plug your modem’s power cord in first!