Modem Troubleshooting There are a multitude of causes for slow connections, disconnects, or instability. This page serves to provide solutions to the most common problems with modem connectivity. If your problem is not covered here,  contact support for further assistance. Update Your Modem Firmware and Drivers This is by far the most common issue with modem connections. Modems have built-in software, also known as firmware. Modem manufacturers periodically provide updates to firmware releases to fix "bugs" or to provide support for additional protocols. If you have never updated your modem firmware or drivers, it's a safe bet that there's a newer version available. It's not uncommon for firmware releases to come out every 3 months, or sooner. Contact your computer or modem manufacturer for details. Check Your Phone Connections If your modem has a poor connection to your phone outlet, or your outlet has a bad connection to the phone company's Network Interface Device (NID), you could benefit from replacing the phone extension cord, jack, or even the cabling between the jack and your NID. If you're using a 25' (or longer) cord between your PC and the phone wall jack, and the cord is damaged, you should replace the cord. Bad Weather Affects Phone Lines (Usually Temporarily) Wet or frozen conditions can cause trouble with outdoor phone connections. If you've noticed your connection quality decline during harsh weather conditions, it's likely a temporary condition. However, these issues can worsen over time if your outdoor telephone connections are not protected from the weather properly. An inspection of the Network Interface Device (NID) attached to your home by a qualified telephone service technician may be required. Please note: most NIDs are secured for access by telephone company technicians only. Do not attempt to tamper with these devices. |
