How do you know if your modem needs to be replaced?

How to upgrade or replace a CenturyLink modem

Need to upgrade your old equipment or replace a faulty modem? We can help! The first step is to verify with tech support that your modem needs to be replaced.

I think I need a new modem... what do I do?

Technical support will help troubleshoot to determine whether you need a replacement modem. Follow these steps to get started:

Contact the repair department by chat (or by calling 800-244-1111). A tech support agent will check a few things with you to determine if the issue with your current modem can be resolved, or if it needs to be replaced.
If the agent determines the modem is outdated or is malfunctioning, they will help you order a new one. You can also ask for options if you want to upgrade your modem regardless of the troubleshooting results.

From there, the question of who covers the cost will depend on the tech support review and whether you are leasing or purchased your modem.

Modem options

Lease	$15/month	Newer models include Secure WiFi
Purchase	$150 - $200	Includes 12-month warranty for repair or replacement

Rates subject to change. Taxes may apply.

Internet-only customers, you may be able to order a new modem online.

Here's how to check: Sign in to My CenturyLink and find "My Internet" under the Home tab or the Services tab. Then look for an "Upgrade Modem" link to go to online ordering. If you don't see the link, you can't order online at this time, but you may still be eligible for an upgrade. Call or chat and an agent will help walk you through the process.

Or visit the Modems/Routers main page for more information about CenturyLink modems.

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I usually don’t use the modem that my ISP gives me, and I use my own.

Its more convenient for me because if I ever think of changing ISPs, most of my custom settings will be the same; I just have to plug in another line.

I had been using this modem for almost five years now, and the thought of replacing it has come up several times.

To put it to rest, I went on the internet to find out when you have to replace your modem.

I went through user forums and ISP’s websites to get a clearer picture for my research.

I aim to let you know when and how often you should replace your modem with this guide.

You can replace your modem as often as 3 years after installing it. If its a higher-end modem, consider a replacement after at least five years.

How Long Do Modems Generally Last?

Like most networking equipment, modems are designed to be used for years, and most modems average about 3 to 5 years before they show signs of needing replacement.

Cheaper modems are the first ones to go, with components selected to decrease cost as much as possible.

Some parts may not have been designed to keep long term use in mind and can fail quite early.

More expensive modems, on the other hand, not only give you access to more features but are also made with high-quality components.

These last much longer; in some cases, we have seen them last for five years or more.

So the first thing you need to look for before replacing your modem is finding out where your modem sits in these categories.

If you have a pricier modem, it might have a few more years in it.

But if yours is cheaper, consider getting a replacement.

Importance of a Healthy Modem

Replacing an older modem is essential because of newer features a new modem can bring and improving your internet’s quality as a whole.

When a modem starts to show its age, the speeds it is capable of start to go down.

In most cases, the drop won’t affect your daily use much, but its not worth taking the risk of your modem crashing when you are on an important call.

Older modems also start to exhibit vulnerabilities to viruses or malware.

Since fighting viruses is always a game of whack-a-mole, newer viruses come out every day, and older modem hardware may not be able to filter all of it.

Modems that have started aging will also show signs of increasing latency.

A high latency will mess up a competitive gaming session or an important Skype call, so if you find yourself in this situation, replacing your old modem would be the best thing to do.

These are just some of the reasons why having a healthy modem is essential.

A healthy modem means you do not have to worry about any of this.

Modem Issues that Indicate a Replacement

There are some obvious signs that indicate your modem is nearing the end of its life.

If a vital component breaks, the modem would just stop working.

This is an obvious sign, but if something that was not critical for the modem fails, the symptoms would be more subtle.

If you find yourself resetting the router more times than you think, you should consider replacing the modem.

Inconsistent internet and extremely slow speeds are also an indicator.

Check the modem’s status lights; if any of them don’t blink anymore for an extended period or blink like its not supposed to, chances are you’d be needing a replacement.

If you have lost your internet connection, but the ISP says there are no outages, replacing the modem is an option.

If your modem is a modem router combo, I’d advise replacing it after every three years.

Since the combo device does a lot of heavy lifting with Wi-Fi and wired connections, its parts can wear out faster than modems or routers alone.

If you have a pretty high-end model, you can stretch it to about five years.

Some ISPs have their modem and router separate; in that case, start looking for a replacement router 3 to 4 years after installing it.

Since the router does not do the work of the modem as well, it can last a little bit longer.

Replacing the modem is also quite the same; wait for about 3 – 4 years after installing to think about replacement.

If you use a modem that doesn’t have Wi-Fi, replace those after 4 – 5 years of use.

Since they only run wired connections, they can last longer.

Before you replace anything, though, contact your ISP and ask them for a list of supported modems and routers.

The last thing you want to have is to splurge on a good router only to find out your ISP does not support it.

What to do if the Device is Still under Warranty

If you know the device is still under warranty, contact your ISP to replace the modem you got from them.

For modems that you bought yourself, check the warranty period and make sure the device is covered.

Contact the manufacturer and explain the issue; if its still under warranty, they’ll send you a replacement or if you are lucky, they’ll send you a newer model.

Should You Fix or Replace Your Modem?

Fixing the internal components of a modem won’t be feasible for the average joe, but there still are some things you can try to fix an ailing modem.

First, try restarting the modem.

Unplug it from the wall and wait 2-3 minutes before turning it back on.

Reset the modem if a restart doesn’t help.

How to do this will depend on the model of your modem, but if it is an ISP modem, some ISPs allow you to reset it from their apps on your phone.

To reset other routers, log in to your router’s admin settings and find a way to reset there.

Remember, a reset will wipe all settings and reset your Wi-Fi password as well.

Make sure you can reproduce the issues you have in all the devices in your home.

There are chances that it was an issue on the device you had problems with, and the internet connection was fine all along.

If trying all these fixes didn’t work, go ahead with replacing your modem.

Things to Consider While Replacing Your Modem

After deciding to replace your modem, the first thing you need to do is contact your ISP to get a list of all approved modems.

From that list, choose some from reputed brands like Netgear, Linksys, TPLink, among others and make a list.

Look up the features of each of the modems and see if they have the features in the list below:

Capable of gigabit speeds
WiFi6
Dual-Band
More than two ethernet ports.
Additional features like QoS, Parental Controls.

If you find a model that ticks most of these boxes, then go for it.

Make sure the model that you are buying is the newest one of that type as well.

How to Make Modems Last Longer

Why not try the age-old adage that says prevention is better than a cure?

There are quite a few ways to make your modem last longer, and all of them are pretty easy to follow.

Use a surge protector for your modem.

Unexpected power spikes can cause the internals of the modem to be damaged, so connecting the modem to a surge protector protects the modem from these power surges.

Make sure you place the modem in an area where it won’t receive physical damage.

Keep it in a place where its not constantly bumped into or somewhere that’s humid.

Also, keep it in areas where there aren’t hard temperature fluctuations, and let the modem breathe and vent heat away.

Not Sure About Replacing?

Replacing your older router with a new similar model might not be that attractive of a proposition to you.

If you are in that crowd, I’d suggest an upgrade.

Get a mesh Wi-Fi system that supports the latest WiFi 6 standards.

Mesh Wi-Fi systems are way better than traditional Wi-Fi when it comes to whole-home coverage or the capability of having multiple devices being connected.

It is for this exact reason it is the go-to choice for a home automation system.

As studies project a 54% growth in the home automation market by 2025, now’s as good a time as any to dip into this space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a new modem increase Internet speed?

The chances of your new modem increasing your speeds are very low unless your older modem was struggling with the speeds.

Your internet speed relies more on your ISP and your internet plan than what modem you use.

Do modems last longer than routers?

No device lasts forever, and judging how long a modem can last versus a router is almost impossible.

The difference is marginal even if you consider the workload that a modem does versus what a router does.

Do Wi-Fi extenders really work?

Wi-Fi extenders can extend the reach of your Wi-Fi network.

However, in no way do they make your internet faster than it already is.

How do I test my modem?

Try running a speed test to know if you are getting the speeds that you should be.

Some ISPs like CenturyLink also offer a line test.

Run it to know if there is any issues with your modem or line.

What are the signs of a failing modem?

5 Warning Signs Your Cable Modem is Dying.

Connection indicator lights have turned off even if you can still surf the web..

Data transfers/downloads are slow..

The connection speeds are slow..

The modem is making a lot of loud or weird noises..

The modem turns off or stops functioning..

When should you replace your modem?

Typically, you should look to upgrade or replace your cable modem every two to four years. Newer cable modem technology, such as DOCSIS 3.1, can have a variety of improvements, including faster download speeds, faster uplink speeds, enhanced streaming capabilities, DOCSIS 3.1 capabilities and more.

How do I know when I need a new modem or router?

5 Signs You Need a New Router.

Your router is more than 5 years old. Technology changes quickly. ... .

You're renting a router from your ISP. ... .

Your Wi-Fi network has connection issues. ... .

Your Wi-Fi range and speeds are getting worse. ... .

Your router runs hot..

How long should a modem last?

In any case, older modems should survive for a long time, especially if the model is not the most basic on the market. The newer ones are a bit more flimsy, but still, it's a device that's going to be set up once and then left alone. So, it should remain operational for at least 3 to 4 years.