Troubleshooting DSL Modems
Ever look at your DSL Modem and wonder what all those lights mean? Why do some flash, while others remain solid? What if your lights are different colors? How do you tell if your DSL Modem is working correctly?<br />
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Each light on your DSL Modem represents a function. The light is an indication of whether that function is working properly. Sometimes the placement and title of each function can vary by modem manufacturer, but they are pretty standard in interpetation. If you look closely your modem, you might find that each function is labeled in small print to help identify them.<br />
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A standard DSL Modem has a light for power, internet, ethernet, link and wireless connection. A healthy DSL Modem will have a steady green light that does not blink or flutter for all features other than internet, ethernet and wireless. A flashing or fluttering light indicates movement and useage. When you are connected to your DSL Modem wireless, the light for this feature will blink indicating a connection and/or active useage. If the internet connection is working properly the color of the light will be green. If the connection is working but experincing a problem the light can turn to yellow or orange. If the connection fails, the light on the DSL Modem can be red or absent depending on the problem causing the trouble. If your service is turned off by the provider, more than likely the light will be "off".<br />
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If your lights turn a different color, are absent or your internet connection fails try power cycling your modem before reporting the trouble to your provider. Power cycling helps the DSL Modem to reset its connection and repair your internet services.<br />
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If you are using a DSL Modem alone to connect to the internet (no additional router) you can power cycle it by first turning off your computer and then unplug the modem itself from the power source at the wall. Wait for 1 to 2 minutes and then plug it back into the power source and wait for the warm up to finish before rebooting the pc.<br />
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The DSL Modem should go through the normal warm up procedures of blinking lights, making them all stable and solid green ect. You will know when its finished warming up when the features are set at solid green (other than eithernet, internet and wireless connection as explained above). When the modem finished the warm up, reboot your computer and check your internet connection.<br />
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Power cycling your DSL Modem can help keep your connection healthy and running at optimal speeds.<br />
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