How Do I Refresh My Cable Modem?

By Lita McLeary

Reset the cable modem to refresh your connection settings.
i cable modem image by IKO from Fotolia.com

The cable modem is the main source of Internet connection served by your Internet service provider. In order to maintain a fast connection to the Internet, the modem needs to be refreshed periodically. This can also help to resolve connection problems that crop up without warning from time to time, which is why it is important that you reset the modem by following these simple steps.

Unplug the cable modem's power cord from the power source. Wait for 15 seconds before plugging it in again.

Turn on the modem. If the device has a reset button (usually located at the back of the device), hold it down for at least 30 seconds before releasing it. Usually, the modem button can be pressed with your finger, although some modems need to be reset with the use of a small pin to hold down the button. This shall refresh the modem settings and renew the connection.

Ensure that the LED lights for "power" and "Internet connectivity" are solidly lit. Depending on the brand of cable modem you have, the lights may have different labels.

If your cable modem is connected to a router, disconnect the Ethernet cable that connects the two devices, unplug the modem from the power source and reset the device. Unplug the router from the power source and wait for at least 45 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for the router to initialize.

Open a web browser and see if the Internet speed improves. If these steps did not yield positive results, you may need to reboot the computer. If you still cannot connect to the Internet or the connection does not improve at all, there may be a service outage in your area. Call your Internet provider for further instructions.

Check if the Ethernet cables you are using are faulty or malfunctioning. If they are, replace them. To know if the cable is functioning or not, the "Ethernet" port (or something similar) of the cable modem should have solid lights, which means that it detects an Ethernet cable. The LAN port of your computer should also have yellow or orange blinking lights that indicate the cable is functioning.

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