Comcast Cable - page loading issues

[kat-21]

I have Comcast Cable internet. I am experiencing slow loading web pages and often the inability to load a page at all. I use both Chrome and Firefox and it’s the same on both browsers and any computer in my house, including a brand new laptop. I am wired to the modem. When I call Comcast, they have me turn off modem, restart computer, shoot something through, etc. This typically fixes the problem until 5 minutes after the support call ends. The Modem is on the same coaxal cable as my TV via a splitter. The funny thing is, I have run speed tests and the numbers are good once I get the page to load. How can I have good speed but still be unable to load web pages?

One message I get is: No data received
Unable to load the webpage because the server sent no data.

Another message is: This webpage is not available
Google Chrome could not load the webpage because .... took too long to respond. The website may be down, or you may be experiencing issues with your Internet connection.

The problem is the same for many websites so its not specific to one website.

Is a separate line required or suggested for the Modem? Is it possible my modem is bad? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Sailaway]

Yeah, sounds like a connectivity problem. Do you have a cable/DSL router between your computer(s) and the modem? Try resetting that. Do you have a software firewall e.g. Norton, ZoneAlarm, etc.? Try turning that off temporarily.

A big gotcha many people don't realize is that speed tests often test the downlink speed (from the internet to you) but not the uplink. TCP/IP communication (which is the basis of what runs the internet) is two-way, and no matter how good the downlink is, a crappy uplink will slow or stop things altogether.

[kat-21]

I have a Motorola modem and yes, I have reset that (by holding in the button on the back). I do have firewall, one computer is Norton and the new computer is Macfee. Since it happens on more than one computer, I don't think the problem is on my end, but I will try turning them off. I have checked and Chrome and FF are both "allowed" to access the internet in the settings in the antivirus software. Thanks for your response.

[Sailaway]

I meant if you have another device, e.g. a separate router, not a part of the modem. That should be reset/power cycled as well.

Try Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test and select a server in Philly if given the option.

I forget what uplink speed Comcast offers for various plans and they seem a little elusive about that, but you can probably find out what you should be getting. If you're getting something like 0.05 Mbps (note the small "b" - bits, not bytes) or less odds are the uplink is the problem, although you should be getting at least 20 times that (1Mbps) on most decent plans.

[kat-21]

No separate router (my modem has wireless capabilities built in). Two separate speed tests gave me the following results today: Download: 18.08 and 19.97 Mbps and upload: 4.26 and 4.27 Mbps. I got the similar results over the weekend when I was having the most problems. Yesterday and today seem to be a little better with only occasional page loading issues. I plan on calling Comcast again should my issues continue and have them come out on a Saturday or Sunday when I seem to experience the problem more frequently. Thank you for your input.

[BrianL]

kat-21 - sent you a message on here that should help, if it doesn't let me know

[PASnow]

I had something very similar a couple weeks ago. We had a couple very high windy days & I think a wire got loosened. Guy came out & fixed & boosted the signal. Works fine now.

[lee20]

We have a Netgear cable modem / wireless router. Comcast is the service provider. My other two computers connect and load pages.

[loveisnoise]

I was having a massive problem with my net gear modem and comcast. There was a bunch of threads on it and the pseudo solution was kind of ridiculous so I just ended up trashing the router and doing the network directly through my computer. comcast has been working fine since.

[lee20]

We have a Netgear cable modem / wireless router. Comcast is the service provider. My other two computers connect and load pages.

[iheartphilly]

This sounds a lot like my experience with Google Chrome. I finally got rid of it, problem solved. I think it's a dud.

[kat-21]

Update on my problem... I bought a new modem. Old modem was 2 years told. Problem solved. Thanks to all that responded.

[guzzijason]

I was having a massive problem with my net gear modem and comcast. There was a bunch of threads on it and the pseudo solution was kind of ridiculous so I just ended up trashing the router and doing the network directly through my computer. comcast has been working fine since.

My only concern about doing that is that most home network routers I've seen sort of act like a de facto firewall in front of your computer, sort of adding a layer of security. In other words, connections coming IN to your network from the outside would typically be dropped by the router before they reach your computer (unless you configure the router do do some sort of port forwarding). By ditching the router, you're exposing your computer directly to the nastiness of the interwebs, and relying on the computer OS itself to fend off any potential attacks.

In my line of work, I'm a little OCD about it though. I actually have an honest-to-goodness dedicated firewall connected to my modem at home, with the router behind that.

__Jason