How do I test my modem for problems?

Internet performance can fluctuate based on your internet service provider (ISP), your network, and your computer configuration. You can use the following tools to test your upload and download speeds and to troubleshoot connectivity issues.

Testing upload and download speeds

Although the speed tests that are available from the following websites can help you to identify problems, you might need outside assistance to isolate and correct problems.

The speed test that is available at http://www.speedtest.net/nl can help you to identify problems, but you might need outside assistance to isolate and correct problems.

The following table includes average speeds for different types of connections. We provide these numbers so you can compare your speed test results to them.

Type of connectionAverage speedDSL (128k)128 kbpsDSL (256k)256 kbpsCable / DSL (384k)384 kbpsCable / DSL (768k)768 kbpsCable / DSL (1.5Mbps)1500 kbpsFull T-11544 kbps

If the speed tests identified a problem, reboot your network router and/or modem and then run the speed test again. If you don’t see an improvement, contact your network specialist (if you have one) or your ISP to determine whether steps such as changing your network hardware or updating your software will correct the problem.

Troubleshooting connectivity issues

You can use detection tools, such as PingPlotter from Nessoft, LLC(), to troubleshoot connectivity problems. These tools can provide additional information about your internet connection.

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You can download an evaluation version of PingPlotter (or purchase a license) and use it to test your connection to our server. PingPlotter saves a history of test data to a file and generates reports that identify the server or router that is causing the issue.

We will go over the symptoms of a bad modem or router and some test and diagnostics to help you find out if you have a bad or dying modem. A failing modem can be tricky to diagnose without proper testing and troubleshooting.

The rumors are true, there is a large batch of bad modems circulating retail outlets and even being rented out by internet service providers. But what makes these modems so “bad”. Several factors that stem from the Puma 6 chip. But first, here are the best cable modems to solve your problems and save you $10 a month.

The bad modems are susceptible to DoS Attacks. DoS stands for Denial of Service. A DoS attack can prevent you from accessing the internet at all for days at a time with no solution. Your ISP can not help you and likely won’t even be able to detect the source of your connection slow down or admit that you have a broken modem.

But the fun does not stop there. The bad modems symptoms also experience large spikes in latency. This is called lag. It can halt or freeze your internet without reason or timing or notice. This is the worst part because you are not likely to be a target of a DoS attack but you will experience spikes in ping no matter what.

How do I test my modem for problems?

Do I Have A Bad Modem?

There are a lot of them on the market because the flaw was not noticed till after they hit retail and people all over started reporting problems. As it stands they all have Intel’s Puma 6 chip. The moment this problem was identified, manufacturers started using the superior Broadcom chip for all future modems such as the newest and fastest DOCSIS 3.1 modems for Gigabit speeds. This means that any cable modem with a Broadcom chip is on the safe list of good modems.

The problem with these bad modems is that if you call your ISP and tell them your internet is having issues, they will say everything is fine because they can not detect this issue on their end. This leaves millions of customers frustrated and saying things like “I called Comcast several times and they are unable to fix my internet“.

How did these bad modems get released?
The dilemma is they never tested for latency until this issue became widespread. They would do a speed test and sure, you can get a nice fast speed with an online test because it takes the overall duration period of the download test and creates an average as a final result. If you’ve ever run a speed test and noticed slight delays or glitches during the actual test or certain points in which your speed meter stops for a second or drops down, then you may be the victim of latency or a bad modem with the Puma 6 chip.

What is latency / jitter?
Latency is the delay in the transmission of data over the internet. There is Network Latency and disk latency. In this case, we’re dealing with Network Latency over the internet. A delay of just a few milliseconds can start a chain reaction of your entire data packet being delayed from start to finish. When you are using the internet for real-time activities such as gaming, any latency at all is unacceptable and you may notice real-time ping spikes. Or in worst-case scenarios, packet loss. Dropping packets is never a good sign and this is likely the reason you always have buffering on your streaming videos. You can test this by running a continuous ping. While you can see dropped packets with a ping test, it is not a reliable test for all latency and jitter. Keep reading for a simple online one-click test if you do not want to run a continuous ping to observe packet loss. As an internet dweller with dual monitors, I always have a window open running a continuous ping to this site to watch for downtime.

Router caused latency
You may not even have a bad modem but still experience lag or packet loss. This can be from a poor wifi signal or an older slower router. You can get a good modem and still have issues with an older router so be sure to buy a good wifi router with your new modem.

Bad Modem Test or Bad Router

  1. Basic Speed Test [link]
  2. Speed Test with Jitter [link]
  3. Global Ping Test [link]
  4. Continous Latency Test [link]
  5. Line Test Tool [link]
  6. Puma 6 Test Tool [link]
  7. Buy a cheap new modem Amazon Price

Here is a set of free online tools to check if you have a bad modem. These bad modem test can get you moving in the right direction. Now keep in mind, it is not always the modem’s fault. For one, it could be your line, connection or even the wireless router. But this is the place to start when troubleshooting to see if the problem is your modem or router.

How to tell if your modem is bad

To test only the modem, it is important when running these test that you plug directly into the modem so that you eliminate the possibility of “wifi interference” or any packet loss accrued from the wireless router itself.

How to tell if your router is bad. With this knowledge of a direct modem test versus a test over wireless internet, you can now use the process of elimination to determine if the problem is your router or your modem. For example, if you run these test on a wireless router and you have problems, but then run the test on a modem and do not have problems, then your router is the issue. You can check out our article on buying a new router here.

The problem was the modem or the ISP’s line. If you run these test from the modem and everything is haywire, now you now know it is either your modem or the actual line coming into the house. Speaking from experience, it is likely your modem so just buy a new one, run the test again and if everything is fine, you figured it out. If everything is still bad, you can return the modem and tell your ISP you ran the test on a new modem and have pinpointed it to their line. But it is almost always the actual modem so don’t count on that.

How do I know? I worked Tier II Tech Support for the largest ISP in America for 2 years. And I just gave you the exact troubleshooting steps needed to determine if it is your modem, router, or the line. Good luck!

Current list of known Bad Modems

Before we show you a list of bad modems, we’ll say the most popular bad modems are the ARRIS SB6190 as well as the SVG2482AC and the Netgear CM700. However there is wide array of modems that ISP’s have released to their unsuspecting customers such as the following.

Bad ARRIS Modems
  • SB6190
  • SVG2482AC
  • MG2402
  • SGB6950-AC2
  • SGB7400-AC2
  • SGB7580-AC
  • DG1642
  • DG1660A
  • DG1662G
  • DG1670A
  • DG1670A/ACT
  • DG2460A
  • DG2470A
  • DG3450
  • DTG1682G
  • TM1602A
  • TM1602G
  • TM3402
  • TG1642
  • TG1662A
  • TG1662G
  • TG1662S
  • TG1672A
  • TG1672G
  • TG1682G
  • TG2472G
  • TG2482
  • TG2492
  • Virgin Media Hub 3
  • TM3402
  • TG3452
ASUSCM-32AVMFRITZ!Box 6460
FRITZ!Box 6490Cisco
  • DPC3848
  • DPC3848V
  • DPC3939
  • DPC3941B
  • DPC3941TA
  • Comcast Xfinity XB3
  • XG1-V3
Compal
  • CH7465-LG
  • UPC Connect Box
  • CH7466
  • CV7160
ComcastXfinity XB3 (DPC3941B / DPC3941TA)
Xfinity XB6Hitron
  • CDA-32372
  • CDA-3-35
  • CDA-3-20
  • CDE-32372
  • CGN3
  • CGN3ACR
  • CGN3AMF
  • CGN3AMR
  • CGN3ACSMR
  • CGNM-2250
  • CGNM-3552
  • CGNV4
  • CGNVM-3589
  • CGNVM-3582
  • CODA-45
  • CODA-4502
  • CODA-4582
  • CODA-4589
Linksys
  • CG7500
  • CM3016
  • CM3024
  • CM3132
Netgear
  • CM700
  • CG4500
  • CG4500TM
  • C6300BD
  • C6300
  • CM400
  • CMD31T
  • source
SamsungHome Media ServerSMCD3G2408TechnicolorTC4350

Important Note: There may be other bad modems out there not on this list. It would be impossible to name them all. But the deciding factor is if your modem has a Puma 6 chip. If this is the case, it is likely already giving you problems.

1) Basic Speed Test

You likely already ran this test as it is the most popular speed test available, but when you did it, did you notice if it was a steady constant or did it bounce up and down?

How do I test my modem for problems?

2) Speed test with jitter test

This is a simple test, not the best one to find the trickiest of bad modems, but good to run while you’re at it. It includes a simple jitter test and a normal speed test.

How do I test my modem for problems?

3) Global Ping Test: Site
This is an extended ping test with reach around the globe. A bad modem can still score good here at the right moment in time, but you should run the test. And vice versa, a good modem can score bad from time to time depending on hops between you and the far-reaching servers.

4) Constant Ping Test

By default, this test may have servers selected around the world and you would surely expect latency and spikes. So be sure to uncheck servers outside of your region for a more accurate test result. It would be normal to have occasional spikes even on a good modem, as shown here. I wish I had a bad modem to show you some bad results but you will know right away if you are getting negative test results.

How do I test my modem for problems?

5) Line Test

Another ping and jitter test. However, this one will likely not work for you because it sends pings from its server to you. Most routers have respond to ping from WAN set to off by default and you will not reply to their test causing a time out. If you know how to enable your reply to ping from WAN, go do it then run the test. It is usually under firewall in your router settings.

6) Ultimate Bad Modem Puma 6 Test Tool

This tool was made specifically for testing for that bad Puma 6 chip. Your results should be mostly green. If you get a lot of red, you are the proud owner of a bad modem and must replace it. If you are really on a budget, it does not get any better than this super cheap modem.

Bad Modem Fix

There is no simple fix for these bad modems. Manufacturers have even tried firmware updates that have not resolved the issues. Which is why the newest modems all use the Broadcom chip. So if you really want to solve your problem, you gotta go new.

As a result of running these free online test, you should now know if you have a bad modem with poor speeds. If you have any questions, please ask below and share with your friends so they can be sure to get the most out of their internet speeds.

How do I run diagnostics on my modem?

How to run modem diagnostics.
Exit all programs, and then close all open windows..
Click Start, and then click Control Panel..
Click Hardware and sound..
Click Phones and Modem Options..
On the Modems tab, select the modem for which you want to run modem diagnostics. ... .
Click Properties..

How can you tell if your modem is bad?

5 Warning Signs Your Cable Modem is Dying.
Connection indicator lights have turned off even if you can still surf the web..
Data transfers/downloads are slow..
The connection speeds are slow..
The modem is making a lot of loud or weird noises..
The modem turns off or stops functioning..

How can you tell if your modem needs to be replaced?

How do you know if you need a new modem?.
You can't connect to the internet..
Your Internet connection randomly drops out..
You frequently have to reset or restart your modem..
Your streaming is lagging..
Your internet speeds are inconsistent..
Your modem's indicator light remains unlit..
Your modem runs constantly hot..

How do I know if my modem and router is working properly?

To test if your router is working, try to ping one computer using another computer in the same network. You should be able to do this if the router is working properly. Your computer's firewall must be disabled as well. To learn more on how to check the computer's connectivity with the router, click here.