What is a modem
An easy definition would be... a modem is what translates the signal from your ISP into a signal your network understands. It is not a router (although there are some devices that are both modems and routers).
Cable Modem
RJ45 Cable
Coaxial (Coax) Cable
Cable Splitter
Checking speed at the modem
Requirements to check your internet speed at the modem include:
- A device that can connect to the modem with what is called an RJ45 network cable - such as a laptop computer.
- An RJ45 network cable - most modems come with them
- Ability to find your modem
- Ability to fight dust bunnies
Step 1 Power off your modem for 5 minutes.
Step 2 Connect your laptop to your modem using the RJ45 cable
Step 3 Turn on your modem and watch the lights on it to ensure it signals that it is connected. This may take several minutes.
Step 4 Open a browser on your laptop and navigate to the site https://www.speedtest.net (or a similar speed testing site) and run a speed test. The result of the test should be close to the speed of your ISP plan.
If you're unable to browse the internet and you are running Windows, try the following commands...
- Press and hold the Windows key on your keyboard
- Press and release the "r" key on your keyboard
- Release the Windows key
- Type "cmd" without the quotes and press enter
- In the black box that opens type "ipconfig /renew" without the quotes
- Try browsing again
If you're unable to browse the internet and you are running Linux you probably don't need my help but you can try the following commands...
- execute the command "sudo dhclient -r" without the quotes
- execute the command "sudo dhclient" without the quotes
- Try browsing again
What if the speed test result is lower than what I'm expecting...
Find where your ISP's service enters the house. This will be either the coaxial cable if you use a cable company or a telephone cable if you use a telephone company. If the feed coming into your home has been split prior to connecting to your modem, try connecting the modem to the cable prior to the split and then performing the speedtest. This can be challenging if you have service from a phone company and I wouldn't recommend changing the wiring by yourself unless you're confident in your ability to do so. If your service is from your cable company, then this will require locating any cable splitters (see above picture) and temporarily disconnecting them so you can perform the test. Often they are just finger-tight connections but sometimes you'll need a pliers to loosen the connection. * Pro Tip * If your cables are a rats nest, label your connections and take a picture of them before you take them apart. This will help you get them back together properly. If this test fixes the speed issue then what's happening is either the cable splitter is bad or the feed coming into your home from the ISP is not strong enough. You can try these options to fix the problem...
- Make sure all your connections are tight
- Make sure any splitters or connectors in your feed are high quality
- Make sure there any open ports on splitters are capped
- Try using a signal booster/amplifier. These are available via Amazon - just search for cable signal amplifier.
- Eliminate any unnecessary cable splits
- Contact your ISP and have them make a customer service visit to ensure the signal strength coming into your house is correct.
- One last ditch thing you can try is use a newer laptop to perform the tests. Sometimes the speed being delivered is correct but your devices are too old to handle it.
What if the speed test result is what I'm expecting...
The next step is to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi Router. See this Link for instructions.
And, if this is all just too much, please Contact us. We'd be glad to offer our services to help you out.