NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
NeilU
Feb 28, 2023Guide
CM1000V2 modem cannot connect computer
CM1000v2 is connected to Optimum cable and Orbi 04 mesh. I am getting increasing frequency where internet drops completely even though the modem shows signal. If I hit the restart on the modem it q...
FURRYe38
Feb 28, 2023Guru - Experienced User
https://kb.netgear.com/24311/Power-level-guidelines-for-a-NETGEAR-cable-modem-router
Can you post the Events Log page as well?
NeilU
Feb 28, 2023Guide
Here is the events page
I am curious about what constitutes high signal level.
There is one splitter on the cable when it comes into the house since one line use to go to a TV which I do not use. So the modem gets the main line coming in (after that one splitter that the ISP did install)
Nothing else attached to the line other than a connector box to extend the line.
- plemansFeb 28, 2023Guru - Experienced User
Your logs are full of errors to.
Your line should get checked based off the logs/connections page.
You're signal should be between -7.5dbmv and 7.5dbmv. You're above that. And with errors in the logs and non connected channels, its indicating an issue. So you can do a few things to try to correct it.
I'd actually pull out your double splitter and put in a triple or quad to see if it gets the signal down a bit. If it doesn't help the quality, then the ISP needs to check it.
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
I recognized that yesterday when I finally went to see how to log into the device. BUT I have no clue how to evaluate this. Fascinating how we are so caught up with AI and Chatgpt when this is 30+ year old technology that drives us all crazy.
And still with everyone saying it isn't their problem it is a different device or connection. Was true in the 70's and still is.
So Optimum (we were on Cablevision before they got absorbed into Optimum) says they can't do much to check my modem from their side since it is not Their Version of ARRIS Modem that would be leased. And if I want them to check inside it becomes a big charge.
I assume you are referring to the Power column. Some channels are ok but others are not. What do I make of different channels and how to tell if they are causing problems.
I have to say that as long as the system is up I do not have any problems. I am signed up for 200MB service but on wifi with the ORBI I am getting continual 230MB download and about 10 upload (its cable not fibre).
- plemansFeb 28, 2023Guru - Experienced User
here's a good guide for power levels.
https://pickmymodem.com/signal-levels-docsis-3-03-1-cable-modem/
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
That is useful to see.
You suggested that I add some interference on my end by adding splitters-(are you suggesting just adding a splitter at a time inline does it?)
but shouldn't they be lowering the power level at the source
Is this something they can do without entering my unit - they can look at my modem online and know it is connected but I don't know whether they can tell the strength from the central servers - especially to look at the channels
How can I tell what the channels are doing? Are they all important - some are in the recommended level and others nearer maximum
- plemansFeb 28, 2023Guru - Experienced User
The problem is you can't see all the channels. there's quite a range of them and a certain set of them might be fine. And then the CMTS changes what channels your modem is on and they might have interference. So you can only do the best with what you have.
It used to be they had all the connections set with just a certain power and they used signal attenuators to make sure your home fell within that range. Not sure if they now have digital control of that but you can do a little yourself.
My home has the power coming in right around 12-13dbmv. It was to hot and caused quite a few errors. So I added a 4x splitter and capped off the ends on the unused ones. Now my power is in spec and I don't have any errors showing in the logs or cable connections page. The 4x splitter basically acts as a signal attenuator. The attenuator is the way to go but I happened to have the 4x sitting around and it worked fine.
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
I have to go through my boxes in the garage. I probably have several 2 or 3 port splitters that I could strap together and then see whether there is a change in the power levels.
Should I assume that doing a reset to the modem would not do anything to any of this.
What about the router?
- plemansFeb 28, 2023Guru - Experienced User
If the issue is coming from the modem, resetting/rebooting it might help temporarily as it can put it on different channels that might not have interference. but its not a long term fix. Its a bandaid.
Careful with stringing mulitple's together as each junction is a chance for a bad connector/poor connector or even bad splitter that makes things worse.
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
So what becomes a long term fix if the ISP does not cooperate
- plemansFeb 28, 2023Guru - Experienced User
If its still dropping, rent a modem from the ISP.
I've had to rent one for a month or 2 to prove to the isp that their line was causing the issue.
they fight tooth/nail to not have to fix issues until proven its their equipment.
And who knows, maybe it is the modem and something internal is causing the issue.
It isn't unheard of and is hard to distinguish the difference from an internal fault to a line issue
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
I had done some checking to find out what about their units which is when I was also told they would only reach into their rented version of Arris. But it has definitely been on my radar.
You have been very helpful in getting me back into troubleshooting mode (and digging into the hardware). A last (maybe) question. You mention that you are only seeing a part of the number of channels. The list shows a total of 32 (which makes sense in binary) and 28 are download.
But The Aquire Downsteam channel has a frequency 585 MH which is the same as only one channel - 25 which has a power level of 8.5 which is just in the acceptable. Can I assume that this is the only channel that is active in download since the others are all at different frequencies - what then are all the other channels for and does it matter that they are at much higher power?
- plemansFeb 28, 2023Guru - Experienced User
They're all used. Which is why a couple bad channels can create issues when the rest are fine.
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
I will leave it at this for now and will see what happens as I start some experimenting.
Thank you for your help
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
I just added a 3 way splitter next to the modem and WOW - the main channel is down to 0.5 and none are above 5.5.
- plemansFeb 28, 2023Guru - Experienced User
Except now you have a ton of errors/uncorrectables. Which is just as bad/worse as getting the power in the right zone.
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
Whoops. Didn't see that, just looked at the power.
So I guess I should probably revert back. Hmm. Before there were practically no errors.
Oh boy.
- NeilUFeb 28, 2023Guide
So I changed the splitter to a two split and a different cable
Now the errors are only on 3 channels and the levels are significantly lower than originally.
I think I will leave it like this for now (unless those channels 25,27 and 28 would be important).
- plemansMar 01, 2023Guru - Experienced User
You're doing a juggling game. Because the power levels are still out of spec. All the channels should be within 3.5dbmv of each other or they'll have bonding issues. Yours go from 9.2dbmv to 1.2dbmv. a 8dbmv difference. So still out of spec.
It can bit a pita to do things like this. Its why signal attenuators were made. You can stick them in line and you don't have multiple connections that can be causing issues. Its why I also only used a single x4 block for mine and capped the other ends.
- KitsapMar 01, 2023Master
NeilU wrote:So I changed the splitter to a two split and a different cable
Now the errors are only on 3 channels and the levels are significantly lower than originally.
I think I will leave it like this for now (unless those channels 25,27 and 28 would be important).
All of the channels that are shown as locked are important. None more so or none less so.
If there are problems with the signal levels on specific channels, that is the responsibility of the ISP to resolve.
The attenuator pads plemans mentioned are available from Amazon here: https://a.co/d/26Df1Ll. They come in different sizes ( 3 db, 6 db, 10 db). Make sure your buy those that cover the standard frequency range for cable TV internet systems (5 Mhz to 3 Ghz).
The connection caps plemans mentioned are also available from Amazon here: https://a.co/d/5ELepHl. They are important to prevent leakage that adds noise to your upstream signal.
- NeilUMar 01, 2023Guide
I am beginning to understand. I thought we were talking about putting a splitter but an attenuator is something totally different.
I am now getting all kinds of errors so I am understanding - I will get a set of the three sizes and a set of caps.
Thank you
- KitsapMar 01, 2023Master
NeilU wrote:I am beginning to understand. I thought we were talking about putting a splitter but an attenuator is something totally different.
I am now getting all kinds of errors so I am understanding - I will get a set of the three sizes and a set of caps.
Thank you
By design, passive (non-amplifying) splitters add a certain amount of attenuation. Unless the label was removed, the output connections are usually marked as -3.5 db or -7 db.
- plemansMar 01, 2023Guru - Experienced User
Thanks for the links Kitsap
Like Kitsap says, a passive splitter acts as an attenuator. But the problem comes down to it adds more connections/more chances for issues. And they can be poorly made. Like I said, the only reason I used one was I had it sitting around.
Best bet?
direct connect the modem right to the cable coming into the home. That should give you your power levels to know what attenuator to buy. If you're getting 12-13 buy a 6db attenuator. I've found its better to be a little hot with the signal (5-7dbmv) versus to low.
Get the attenuator and connect it directly to where the cable comes in the home and then connect the modem right off that. With zero splitters.
Then check signal levels/errors and use it for a bit to see if it stays stable.
If it doesn't, the line outside the home needs to be checked.
- NeilUMar 01, 2023Guide
I have a direct cable ready to put in place - probably this evening when we are not online. Then I can see just how that helps.
The attenuators and caps are from Amazon and I will see if I need any of that - if not they are easy to return.
I will be able to see how things progress since I have a bunch of screenshots over the last day for power and errors.
- NeilUMar 04, 2023Guide
Here is an update. Late yesterday I got the 10 db and installed it. After restarting it cleared up all the codes and lowered the power. I have watched this for a full day and this is the levels and codes after a full day - correctable had been down to 0 except for the first and last few. Power had been down to -2.8 for the first channel and now is down to -6
Others are in a tight spread.
I just received the 3db and tomorrow the 6db arrives.
I can replace the attenuator with the 6 to see if that is better.
- plemansMar 04, 2023Guru - Experienced User
I'm betting they'll need to check the line. You've still got channels going from -6 to +3.0. So a 9dbmv difference. Again, it should be within 3.5dbmv of each other.
so something is causing issues with the power levels. When they come, I'd pull out the attenuator.
- KitsapMar 04, 2023Master
I will second what plemans says about pulling attenuator.
When you are keeping screen shots of cable connection for records, be sure and include the system uptime at the bottom. The correctables/uncorrectables values accumulate since the last modem boot time. Knowing the time frame the numbers accumulated over is big part of the evaluation. If the numbers are big and you do not know whether they accumulated over a few hours, a few days, or a few months, then it is difficult to put them in perspective.
There are definitely some issues with the channels in the higher frequencies.