Modems are notorious for creating frustrating and sometimes hard to troubleshoot internet connectivity problems. If your internet is suddenly unreliable, there is a good chance that it is your modem causing the problem no matter how old it is.
But, how long do modems last? Most people find that their modem lasts between 2 and 5 years, but how long a modem lasts will depend on the quality of the modem you invest in, changes in technology during that time, and how well you take care of it.
So if your modem is even three years old and you’re experiencing issues with it, it could be time for a replacement. Many people choose to rent modems because their internet service provider will replace the modem when it goes bad.
Why Modems Go Bad
Most people find that their modem lasts between 2 and 5 years, but how can that be? It hardly seems possible that an expensive electronic like a modem could wear out so quickly when all it does it sit there, right?
Well, it turns out there are several compelling reasons that a modem wears out:
- All electronics go bad eventually. This is just the nature of the beast. Running electricity through equipment will cause it to wear down over time.
- Modems run constantly. Most of us don’t turn a modem on only when we want to use the internet, but modems don’t just stop working just because you’re not connected. Imagine how fast your microwave would last if it ran all the time!
- Modems get hot. All modems produce heat when they are running, and most basic modems don’t come equipped with the best cooling equipment. Over time this heat will cause the modem to malfunction. Some modems with higher price tags will have more advanced cooling technology.
- Dust builds up in them. Most of us don’t crack open our modem and dust it off (and doing so could void your warranty), but dust does build up inside. Dust acts as an insulation and can increase the amount of heat the builds up in the modem and cause it to stop working as it should.
- Fluctuations in electricity cause more wear and tear. Electricity doesn’t always flow at a steady rate to the electronics in our home, and this puts more strain on your modem. A high-quality surge protector can help with this.
- Changes in technology can make a modem obsolete. That’s right. Upgrades and changes to your internet service can make your modem unusable. Even though, in theory, it still has a lot of life left in it. So those new internet speeds you’re excited about might cost you a new modem.
How to Make Your Modem Last Longer
While some of the causes for modem failure listed above are unpreventable, there are some steps you can take to make sure your modem lasts longer.
Use a Surge Protector
This is probably the most important thing you can do to protect your modem. Surge protectors limit the amount of voltage that can flow to your modem. When the voltage spikes, it either blocks the voltage or shorts out to ground. Either way, it just saved your modem’s electronic components from getting fried.
Place Your Modem Someplace Safe
Unfortunately, there are some limits to where you can keep your modem because it has to be close to both a power outlet and a cable, phone, or fiber optic source, but you should do your best to make sure the following guidelines are met:
- The modem should be placed in a location where it will not be knocked down or bumped into.
- It should not be in a location where humidity is an issue or where it could get wet.
- It needs room to vent heat so it should not be placed tightly against other objects.
- Avoid locations with extreme fluctuations in temperature.
- Avoid hard to access locations so that you can troubleshoot it as necessary.
Protect Your Data Line
During a storm, your cable or DSL line is also susceptible to surges in power. There are several ways that your cable or phone company protects you against these surges, but you can add another layer of protection with a DSL or coaxial surge protection.
The APC Surge Protector with Telephone, DLS, and Coaxial Protection offers everything you need in one surge protector.
Consider Turning It Off at Night
Whether or not turning your modem off at night will actually help extend its life is arguable. It may help reduce wear and tear, but turning electrical equipment on and off creates wear and tear itself. Some advise it, and others think it is a waste of time, but not likely to hurt your modem in any way.
However, at the very least, you’ll be reducing the amount of electricity you consume when you’re sleeping, and it can help you get into the habit of disconnecting before bed, which could lead to a better night’s sleep.
Smart plugs, such as these that I personally recommend and list in a previous article, can be set on a timer from your smartphone so that you don’t have to think about when gadgets in your home or office are turned on and off. Instead, it’s set automatically, which can accumulate to save on your energy bill substantially, and essentially pay for these smart plugs themselves several times over.
Signs that You Need to Replace Your Modem
The trouble with figuring out if there is something wrong with your modem is that the signs of a bad modem can also be signs that there are other issues with your internet connection.
For example, there could be issues with the line coming into your house or an issue with your computer’s connection to the internet. These clearly wouldn’t require you to replace the modem. However, if your modem is bad or is on the way to going bad, here is what you can expect:
- The modem won’t turn on.
- You can’t connect to the internet at all.
- Internet connection drops in and out randomly.
- Internet speed is inconsistent or is consistently slower than it used to be.
- You frequently need to reset the modem to get it functioning properly.
- Indicator lights remain unlit or are lit in the colors they should not be.
What to do if Your Modem isn’t Working
In this day and age, when your internet isn’t working, it is about as catastrophic as not having electricity, which basically means you are about to be extremely inconvenienced. Before calling your service provider, there are some basic things you can check.
- Turn off the modem, wait a minute, and then turn it back on.
- Turn off the modem, unplug it, wait a minute, plug it back in, and turn it back on.
- Check all the plugs to make sure everything is still plugged in securely.
- Check multiple devices. If only one is having trouble connecting, it is likely a problem with that device and not your modem.
- Try connecting directly to the modem with an ethernet cable.
- Try plugging the modem into a different outlet.
Hopefully, one of these things fixed your internet connectivity woes, but if not, you should call your internet service provider as they have the best methods of troubleshooting problems with your internet. They may recommend replacing your modem, but they could find that the issue is something else entirely.
Should You Replace Your Modem?
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Well, when it comes to internet technology, this doesn’t always hold true. Certainly, if you are satisfied with your modem’s performance and your internet speed, you don’t need to replace your modem until it stops working properly.
But, technology often changes faster than equipment stops working. There is a good chance that if you’ve had your modem for more than five years, you aren’t getting the speed you could be with a new modem. We recommend upgrading your modem every 3 to 5 years because of this.