Let’s say you’re using your computer and all of a sudden, it starts acting weird. The loading process stops midway, websites won’t open, or even worse – the browsing stops completely. At first, you might think that there is something wrong with the internet connection or maybe the modem is just broken. However, what if these issues are actually caused by a bad modem? If that happens to you, then this article will come in handy! Read on to check out how you can tell if your modem is bad and how you can troubleshoot it quickly.
How To Tell If Modem Is Bad?
1. Check the Device Manager
The first thing you should do when you suspect that your modem is bad is to check the Device Manager. It’s located at the bottom left corner of your computer screen and looks like a circle with a plus sign in it. This will help you determine whether your modem is functioning properly or not. If it’s broken, you can check for error messages and other symptoms.
2. Check Modem’s LED Light
One of the easiest ways to tell if your modem is working properly or not is by checking its LED light. This indicator will indicate whether there are any problems with the device or not. If it’s broken, then there might be no light on at all, if there is no light, then the device might be working fine but without any internet connection, or even worse – it may have stopped working!
3. Check the Status of the Modem’s LEDs
There are two LED lights that are located at the bottom of your modem. One is for the power, and the other is for the internet connection. If there is no LED light on, then you should contact your ISP to get it resolved as soon as possible! If one or both of these lights are not working properly, then you should also contact your ISP.
4. Check Modem’s Power Cord
If you observe that your modem’s power cord is not connected properly to a wall outlet, then it can be a sign that there is something wrong with your device. The cord might be completely disconnected from it or there could be a loose wire in it – this means that you will have to replace it!
5. Check Modem’s Wires from the Backside of the Device to Connector Itself
The backside of most modems has wires connecting them toiled in a way that it is not making good contact with the wall outlet. Make sure to check this and fix the problem at once!
6. Check Modem’s Power Switch
Another indicator that might indicate that your modem is bad is when you notice that the power switch or button is not working properly. If you observe this, then you should contact your ISP immediately and get it resolved as soon as possible. This can be a sign of a problem, but if your ISP has already sent you a technician, then they may be able to diagnose the issue for you and fix it! If not, then your ISP will have to send out someone from their service team to fix it instead.
7. Check Cable Connections
If cable connections are loose or if they aren’t securely attached to their respective ports, then this can also be an indicator that there is something wrong with your modem and it might need immediate attention from an expert! If this led up, or it might be broken. If this is the case, you should unplug and plug in the power cord again. If that does not work, then you should contact your ISP for assistance.
What To Do If You Think Your Modem Is Bad?
Reset Your Modem
If you’ve tried everything and nothing is working, it’s time to reset your modem. First, unplug the modem’s power cord. Wait for a few minutes and plug it back in. Try to access the internet and see if it’s working. This usually solves the problem if your modem is acting up for some reason. If nothing changes, you might have a bad modem and you will need to replace it. If resetting the modem doesn’t work and you’re sure that it’s not a problem with your computer, then try unplugging the modem and router. Wait for 10 seconds and plug them back in. This should reset both devices and fix the problem.
Check the Cord and Cable If You Think Your Modem is Bad
If your modem is old or you’ve had it for a long time, it could be broken. However, most of the time a bad modem is actually caused by a broken or faulty cord or the wrong cable. Modems come with a power cord, an Ethernet cord, and a coaxial cable. If you’re connecting your modem to the cable internet, you’ll need the coaxial cable. If something is wrong with the cord, you’ll notice that you can’t access the internet. However, if you think that it might be broken, you should test another cable. A broken cord will make your modem useless, so you’ll need to replace it. Try unplugging your modem and plugging the new cable into the modem. Then, plug the other end of the cable into the router. If the cable is broken, you’ll notice that you can’t access the internet.
Update Your Modem’s Firmware
If your modem’s firmware is outdated or corrupted, you might have trouble accessing the internet. You can check your modem’s settings to see if there’s an option to update the firmware. If you can’t find the settings or don’t know how to access them, you’ll need to get in contact with the manufacturer. They will be able to walk you through the process. Modem manufacturers usually release fixes when there are bugs or issues with the firmware. They will also release new versions of the firmware with new features. You can get those updates by logging into your modem’s settings or by visiting the manufacturer’s website.
Change your Wi-Fi Channel
If your modem is the problem, the Wi-Fi channel might be the issue. The 2.4GHz band is used for both internet and Wi-Fi. If there’s a lot of interference, your modem will have difficulty sending data over the internet. You can change the channel to see if it fixes the problem. Simply type “change Wi-Fi channel” into Google and you’ll find a list of websites that will guide you through the process. Try to avoid channels 1, 6, and 11 as they are the most crowded. You should also avoid channels that are used by your neighbors. If you can’t change the channel, it might be time to buy a new modem. You can also switch to the 5GHz band if you have a dual-band modem. The 2.4GHz band is often crowded, so switching to the 5GHz band might solve the problem.
Adjust Your Router’s antennas
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t access the internet, the problem might be with your router’s antennas. You can adjust the antennas to see if that solves the issue. You can try adjusting the antennas to the side, up, or down. You can also try rotating them to change the angle. When you’re done, try accessing the internet again to see if the problem is fixed. If it isn’t, you’ll need to buy a new modem. The antennas are used to send and receive signals, so if they’re broken or faulty, you might have trouble accessing the internet. Replacing your router’s antennas might solve the problem.
Reset your Network
Sometimes, resetting your network will fix the problem. First, unplug the modem and router. Wait for 10 seconds and plug them back in. You should also reset your computer’s network settings. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R and then typing “cmd”. Once the Command Prompt opens, type “ipconfig /flushdns” and hit enter. Restart your computer, wait a few minutes, and try accessing the internet. If the problem is with your router, resetting the network will fix it. If the issue isn’t with your router and your modem is broken, resetting the network won’t fix the problem.
Final Words
Whenever you experience any of the issues mentioned above, it is best to check if your modem is broken or not. If your modem is broken, then you should try to troubleshoot the issue before getting a new modem. You can also try swapping your modem with another one to see if the issue persists. If you’re not sure about your modem’s health, then it’s best to contact the manufacturer’s support and let them know about your issues.
