Forum Discussion

C_town55's avatar
C_town55
New Contributor
5 years ago

Consistent T-3 Timeouts and Subsequent Modem Reboots

So I have only been a with Cox for a couple weeks now but I have been plagued by these random yet consistent disconnections from the internet. Be it while watching a YouTube video or streaming Netfli...
Dave9's avatar
Dave9
Contributor III
5 years ago

I've had similar issues with T3 and every time they have been fixed. Yours might be even worse since you also have the T4 timeout, which is what causes the modem reboot. You might have issues on both your upstream and downstream. The good news is that it's often easier for a tech to find a major issue than a minor issue.

Here's what you need to do to get this fixed:

  1. Replace all interior wiring with brand new high quality RG6 cable.
  2. If you're still having a problem, make sure you're confident that your modem is not defective. It almost never is, but if it's very old or has weird problems you might want to replace it.
  3. (This one is the most important) Be confident enough in your modem and interior wiring that you won't be scared off when Cox says they will charge you $75 if the problem is your modem or wiring. This is what prevents so many people from getting their problems solved. They come here and say they refuse to call for a tech because they won't pay $75 for Cox to fix the problem and what is wrong with Cox for saying that. But if you're confident in your own equipment you won't be worried about this.
  4. Call for a tech. Usually they can find the issue on the first try, but if not, call for another tech until it gets fixed.
  5. If it somehow ends up being a problem with your modem or inside wiring and you have to pay $75, well that's an incredibly low price for on-site tech support these days and you got your problem fixed. So it's still a win.

TL;DR: Check your interior wiring and then call for a tech. It's the only way.

  • C_town55's avatar
    C_town55
    New Contributor
    5 years ago

    How do you go about checking your interior wiring?

    • Dave9's avatar
      Dave9
      Contributor III
      5 years ago

      Ideally replace it. If you can't do that for some reason, make sure the connections are tight and there are no kinks. Once cable has been kinked it's ruined forever. Throw it away.

      Cox is only allowed to say hand tight for connections to make sure you don't damage your equipment, but I prefer to have mine slightly more than hand tight. Not crazy tight but maybe 1/8 to 1/4 turn beyond hand tight depending on your fingers.