Desktop

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Does this sound like a bad cable modem?

0 helpful
9 replies

by cmb from omaha 1 view

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I'm suddenly having intermittent trouble with Cox High-Speed Internet. Cox says it's not them; in one case, they could see that my modem was "off line" (and it wouldn't come back up at that time), but after unplugging modem overnight, the connection worked well for a few hours.

It's not the computer--problem occurs with BOTH my desktop and notebook PCs.

I don't think it's the cable signal or any wiring, since cable TV works fine (TV & modem are split off same connection & have been for years).

The latest manifestation is that I can ping web sites, although with minimum of a 50% packet loss. However, can't retrieve email or pull up any web sites in my browser.

Does this sound like a cable modem problem? (I should mention thatmodem has been in continuous use for 2-1/2 years or so.)

If not, any other suggestions? Thanks in advance!

9 replies

by loki777

Have you checked the cabling from the modem to the computer? If that appears fine and you unplug and replug, I would think that your diagnosis of a failing cable modem is indeed correct.

by shiny_topadm

Hi, another possiblility is that something happened to the signal level on your 'drop'. This happened at one of my installations, the TV picture was still good, but the signal strength at the modem was borderline minimum. At least locally, (comcast) the cable co. will swap modems (if you lease theirs), and if that doesn't fix it, they'll schedule a service call. Weather, insects, animals, etc. can cause insulation deterioration over time, which can lead to signal degradation, and your internet connection will show the failure first. good luck.

by cactus pete

Do you have a splice outside of the home? I had the same symptoms - the cable guys came out and respliced, effectively cleaning all the contacts. They tried to shield the 't' connection from water, etc, when it happened a second time and I haven'thad the problem since.

by kayleasfan

I had the same problem. My cable TV worked just fine but I sure couldn't say the same for my internet slow connection. I would have off and on downtimes. Sometimes disconnecting the modem from the power source would bring me back online and sometimes it wouldn't. My connection speed was super slow. I called Cox and they tested the problem for me from their end. I ended up scheduling a service call. Turns out that I needed an amplifier on my connection at the house. Once that was installed, everything started to work much better: faster connection speeds and no more off line woes.

This discussion is closed to new replies.