Why Does My Modem Keep Resetting? (2024)

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It isn't always easy to nail down the exact cause of a modem resetting, but if you follow the right order of troubleshooting, you should be able to resolve the issue.

Cause of Your Modem Resetting

Your incoming internet connection from your ISP goes directly from the cable in your wall to the modem. Your entire home's internet connection depends on that modem. When it unexpectedly restarts, it doesn't matter how great your mesh system is, how great your wiring is, or even the "perfect" placement of your W-Fi router. All your work and your productivity at risk. Your streaming TV and movies will stop, too.

Troubleshooting your modem to stop random restarts should start with hardware first—things like cables and power. Then work your way through software and setting issues. You will hopefully be able to fix the issue without having to replace the modem itself.

How to Fix When Modem Keeps Resetting

These fixes apply to all models of modem regardless of your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Some menu options may vary, so check the modem manufacturer website for details.

1. Check the power connectors. A loose power connection is the most common reason a modem may keep restarting. This can be a loose connection at the outlet, or at the power port on the back of your modem. Watch the power lights on the front of the modem as you wriggle both ends of the power connection. If the light flickers, changing your modem's power adapter could solve the problem. Additionally, it's always a good idea to plug a modem into a surge protector or uninterruptible power supply to maintain steady, reliable power to your modem.

2. Check the cable connections. Maybe the coax cable connection on the back of the modem is loose. Coax is the large, round cable coming from the wall or outlet and into the round port on the back of your modem. It's the main source of internet for your entire house. If you have internet through your phone provider, this will be a DSL cable instead, which looks a lot like a regular phone line. Make sure the cable is securely fastened to the input port on the back of the modem, and there aren't any breaks or cracks in the cable itself. If there are, look into replacing the cable (you may need to contact your ISP for help with this).

3. Make sure your modem isn't overheating. If all connections look good, you'll need to start looking at the modem itself. A modem will get warm during normal use, but shouldn't feel hot to the touch. If it is, then it isn't properly cooling during use. A few things that can help with this is making sure there's plenty of space (at least 6 inches) around the modem for air to pass. Secondly, clean off any air vents in the modem case so air can easily flow through the case.

4. Your modem may be overworking. This is often the case when the modem also has an included router feature. In this case, the router functions handle apportioning IP addresses to all of the devices on your network. If you've added smart home devices, mobile devices, and computers to your network, it's possible the modem is at its functional limit, which can either slow it down or cause it to restart entirely. To fix this, turn off your modem. Then turn off all devices using the internet, including smart home devices, all mobile devices and all computers. Then restart the modem. Try turning on one device at a time to test if the modem stays up. If you do find that it restarts once you reach a certain number of devices, you may need talk to your ISP about upgrading to a new modem, or buying a higher-end model yourself. You can also try the next troubleshooting tip to see if it resolves the issue.

5. If you use a combination modem and router unit, it can help to change the Wi-Fi channel you use with your devices to connect to the modem/router. Having too many devices connecting on one channel can congest the wireless network, which can slow down the modem or cause it to restart. You'll notice a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band available by default with most modem/routers. Choose the best wireless channel for each device, depending on the device capabilities (not all devices can connect to 5 GHz). Try to divide the devices evenly across the two channels to see if this resolves the modem restarting issue.

6. Reset your modem. If you've come this far and your modem is still restarting intermittently, it could be a setting or some other feature changed from default since you first installed the modem. Performing a full reset will set all of these back to normal. Keep in mind it's more drastic to reset than reboot, because it will remove all passwords, DNS settings, ports, and firewall settings that you might have configured.

7. Update your modem's firmware. Modem manufacturers sometimes update the software which makes the modem work properly. These updates include security patches, software bugs, performance updates, and more. If your modem doesn't receive those patches, fixes (like resetting) you won't get to take advantage of fixes in the software.

8. Re-sync your modem. If your modem is still restarting after you've reset it, one last thing you can try is making sure it's properly synched with the network. A desynchronized modem can occur if your modem has been left on and running for a long period of time. Desynchronization can lead to more corrupt packets or lost data packets. You can fix this by contacting your ISP and asking them to check your connection. They may be able to reset the connection from their end and restore the quality of your internet connection.

9. Buy a new modem. If none of the tips above resolved the issue with your modem restarting, you may need to replace the modem. Again, your ISP may replace your modem for a fee, or you can upgrade to a higher quality modem by buying it yourself. Just check with your ISP to be sure you're purchasing a compatible model that works with their service.