Power Cycle a Cable Modem

[speedDemon]

How to Power Cycle a Motorola Surfboard Modem for Windows Users

• Unplug the cable modem from the power source.
• Leave the modem unplugged for a minute.
• Plug the AC adapter back into the wall or modem.
• Wait up to approximately five minutes for the modem power cycle – it usually only takes a minute or so.
• Check to see that all of the lights on your cable modem are on (power, receive, send, online, pc activity.)
• Open up a new web browser and try to access web sites.
• Try visiting several web sites.
• If you are unable to connect, shut down your computer for a minute and power it back on.

[Lorelai]

At the risk of sounding really stupid here, what does it mean to "power cycle" a modem? Is this just something you do if you lose your connection to try to get reconnected or is this a way to try to boost the power and get a better connection than you were getting before? I have to admit I'm not exactly an expert at this type of thing (that's pretty obvious, huh?), but I'm not afraid to ask questions in my attempt to learn more.

[Marlin]

When you turn it off and on, it has to establish a new connection, so its 'fresher'. It can also solve problems with your connection.

With a little microcontrol and some script, you could make a device to do this for you.,

[Denise]

Sometimes if you can't get online, this is a good first step in trying to fix things. If it saves you an hour on the phone with tech support, it must be a good thing, huh?

I've found with our modem (DSL, not cable, but same basic idea), it only takes about 30 seconds, but I almost always have to reboot, so I just shut down the computer before I start the recycle process with the modem, then start it back up once the lights are back on the modem.

[Bill]

If you ever call rr tech support, this is the first thing they tell you to do.

[Denise]

Same thing with Verizon, even if your problem is not in any way related to the modem. But if you do that BEFORE you call them, you can save yourself a good five minutes on the phone.

[JohnnyTruant]

Originally Posted by Denise

Same thing with Verizon, even if your problem is not in any way related to the modem. But if you do that BEFORE you call them, you can save yourself a good five minutes on the phone.

With most problems I have with my router/internet I always
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

and then check the modem. That's how lazy I am haha