How to Test My Phone Line for DSL

DSL services are delivered through your phone line.

DSL, which stands for "digital subscriber line," is a cost effective broadband alternative to dial-up or cable Internet services. Making sure that you have an active and working DSL signal is one of the most important steps of installing and troubleshooting your DSL service. Luckily, your Internet service provider makes this a quick and easy task.

Things You'll Need

• DSL modem

Instructions

1. Shut down any computer devices that use your DSL connection.

2. Shut off your DSL modem and, if present, router.

3. Unplug all cables from the modem and wait 30 seconds.

4. Plug all cables back into your modem.

5. Power up your DSL modem and watch the lights on the face of the device. If the DSL light is red, blinking, or not lighting up at all, then your DSL signal is not present. If the DSL light is a solid green, then your DSL signal is present and working.

Tips & Warnings

• If you experience a missing DSL signal you may want to double check that all of your phone filters are properly attached to all telephone outlets that have active telephones on them.

• If you discover that your DSL signal is missing or nonfunctional, consider calling your service provider's customer care line as they have advanced diagnostic tools available that may be able to solve the problem from their end.

• Do not attach a filter to the telephone outlet that the DSL modem is plugged into as this can disrupt your DSL signal to the modem.

References

• Olympus: Powercycling a DSL Modem