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chitownlivn
join:2022-02-06
Chicago, IL

chitownlivn

Member

[Connectivity] Internet Drops Multiple Times Per Day Throughout the Week

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Hello all,

Just found this website in my search for an answer for an issue I've been having with my RCN service for the past month or so. I'm at that point where I'm seeing no other option other than to head elsewhere for my internet service. Here's some background on the issue I'm having:

I currently have the gig plan with RCN. About a year or so ago, they ran a new line from the box outside around the side of my building into one of the bedrooms with a splitter. The splitter contains the coaxial that runs to the room right next door (my office) where all of the electronics are plugged in (Modem, Router, PC, etc.). I currently have the Arris SB8200 modem with an orbi mesh system. About a month or so ago the connection would drop at random times throughout the day requiring me to reboot my Orbi. It could happen in the morning, during middle of the day while on video calls for work, in the middle of the night, etc.

Initially, I thought it was an issue with my orbi as the modem never gave an indication there was an issue, but my orbi would show it had no internet connection. One callout here is my wifi network always showed as available, but it was not getting any internet connection. A quick unplug/plug back in of the orbi gave me internet again. I thought my orbi system was going bad so I purchased a newer version, but same story.

Every time I call in, the RCN tech would say they see no issue on their end or with my modem and they'll have to send a tech out. They sent techs out twice last month. The first one thought I was getting interference because the splitter terminals I wasn't using didn't have terminal keys on them, so he applied them. This didn't work and they sent a 2nd tech out. He changed the splitter, ran some speed tests, and reviewed Merlin and said I should be good. Keep in mind that Merlin always states everything is in spec whenever I check it.

Here I am another two weeks later and the issue is still ongoing. I also noticed that sometimes my SB8200 download light will switch and state it's operating in 3.0 mode instead of 3.1. Tonight, internet went out again and instead of rebooting my orbi, I decided to take the ethernet cord from the modem and plug it directly to my PC without rebooting the modem. The PC said I had no internet connection even though all looked well on the modem from its status lights. Once I rebooted the modem I was good again.

I honestly have no idea where to look next other than maybe my modem is going bad and I was thinking of upgrading to the Arris S33, but don't have much faith this will do anything. I really don't want to call RCN again just to have them send a tech who will look at Merlin and say everything is good.

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on what I could do next? Thanks for any suggestions!
brad152
join:2006-07-27
Chicago, IL
·Verizon Wireless

brad152

Member

Easiest thing to do (if you really want to keep RCN) is to take a rental modem from them for a month, see if it has the same issues.

If you have your own equipment, they'll always try to blame that first, and sadly it's usually a line issue with interference.

If the rental modem does not have problems, that tells you the SB8200 is in fact, the culprit and needs replaced.

Anon25ec3
@107.242.117.x

Anon25ec3 to chitownlivn

Anon

to chitownlivn
get rid of the splitter and put a splice connector
chitownlivn
join:2022-02-06
Chicago, IL

chitownlivn to brad152

Member

to brad152
Good idea. I don’t know why I never thought of this.
chitownlivn

chitownlivn to Anon25ec3

Member

to Anon25ec3
I thought about this, but apparently the signal was way too strong when coming into the building so the splitter was used to drop it enough to be in spec.

Anon3b861
@174.251.66.x

Anon3b861

Anon

said by chitownlivn:

I thought about this, but apparently the signal was way too strong when coming into the building so the splitter was used to drop it enough to be in spec.

Well the ‘spec’ is not working well so it’s worth a try to bypass the splitter. It will cost you nothing to try. Other things you want to try will cost you up to $150.

rcncares
Emilie
Premium Member
join:2012-01-04
Gainesville, VA

rcncares to chitownlivn

Premium Member

to chitownlivn
Hello! We would be glad to take a closer look at your connection and see how we can best get this resolved. Please IM us your account details. Thank you for being a valued customer! -Jackie