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Should DSL modem be left on all the time?

David_3

For the last week, I have been having serious intermittant DSL connectivity problems. Nothing has changed in my house, we do not have wireless, no other comm devices, etc. I have opened a trouble ticket with Verizon.com because of static on the phone lines - perhaps that is the problem.

However this morning, I called the DSL tech support line (800-567-6789) and described the problem. That individual told me the following:

-- I should leave DSL modem (Westell 6100G) on all the time in order for the modem to maintain sync with the central office.

==> IS THIS CORRECT?

If this is correct, would someone please explain the technical reason for this?

-- The tech support person is sending new DSL filters just in case. When I tried to use the automated Verizon phone system, the system keep thinking I was inputting wrong answers to questions. I turned off the modem and this problem disappeared. Wierd!!!

-- The tech support person is conducting a 24 hour test to see if line problems are discovered.

Thoughts anyone?

Thank you all - this is a great forum!!!

Accepted answers

David_3

Let me summarize what I have learned.

(1) DSL modem can be left on. After all, this is broadband and that is what they are designed to do.

(2) DSL modem can be left on and the computer turned off.

(3) Leaving DSL modems on will not create a security problem when your computer is on as long as you have sufficient security in place (firewall, virus, etc.).

(4) Verizon technical folks told me that I MUST leave the DSL modem on all the time, otherwise my modem will have a problem staying in sync with the central office. I believe this to be FALSE. I have had DSL for 4 months and I always shut the modem when I log off the computer. I do not have to shut the modem, but there is nothing saying I cannot do so.

Thank you all for your comments.

All comments

Hubrisnxs

@David_3 wrote:
For the last week, I have been having serious intermittant DSL connectivity problems. Nothing has changed in my house, we do not have wireless, no other comm devices, etc. I have opened a trouble ticket with Verizon.com because of static on the phone lines - perhaps that is the problem.
However this morning, I called the DSL tech support line (800-567-6789) and described the problem. That individual told me the following:
-- I should leave DSL modem (Westell 6100G) on all the time in order for the modem to maintain sync with the central office.
==> IS THIS CORRECT?
If this is correct, would someone please explain the technical reason for this?
-- The tech support person is sending new DSL filters just in case. When I tried to use the automated Verizon phone system, the system keep thinking I was inputting wrong answers to questions. I turned off the modem and this problem disappeared. Wierd!!!
-- The tech support person is conducting a 24 hour test to see if line problems are discovered.
Thoughts anyone?
Thank you all - this is a great forum!!!

DSL is very sensitive to noise quality issues, and if you are getting static, I would wager that they are directly connected. If it's the splitters that are the problem (and yes that is possible) then removing them and your phones from the picture would yield a positive result. but that would mean you would have to leave the phones and filters unplugged for x amount of time and depending on the frequency of the drops, that may be unrealistic.

Phones and filters go bad, so it's possible to have had a working set of phones and filters, and never touched them and yet still have a problem in the future.

The DSL modem should be connected at all times, as that is what DSL was designed to be. an always on connection.

In a perfect world I would say that you can disconnect and connect it at your leisure, but with all the little things that make DSL hiccup, its best to leave it plugged in 24/7. you can unplug it, it won't hurt it, and it will save you a little bit of energy, but it won't do much for your performance other than extend the life of your router.

and do not believe that they are running any legitimate proactive 24 hour test - they MIGHT grab some stats off the modem that show stuff, but a lot of it is information that a normal tech would not be able to decipher.

My advise, either disconnect the phones and test that way like I described above, or wait for the filters.

leaving the modem plugged in is a personal decision, I personally would leave it plugged in 24/7 unless I was not protected properly on my PC and worried about attacks/virus's

David_3

Let me summarize what I have learned.

(1) DSL modem can be left on. After all, this is broadband and that is what they are designed to do.

(2) DSL modem can be left on and the computer turned off.

(3) Leaving DSL modems on will not create a security problem when your computer is on as long as you have sufficient security in place (firewall, virus, etc.).

Thank you all for your comments.

Grete5

So...I just wasted 20 minutes with a "live service rep" to answer the question I had about whether or not to leave the modem on 24/7. Should have checked here first!! I appreciate everyone's responses so far...BUT, my question to the service rep was,

"Why is it taking so long to get them modem up and running after it was shut off overnight? Have to switch the power button on and off MANY times before the modem lights up...is this normal, or does it need "warm-up"time?? I'd leave the thing on all the time but worry about it overheating....should I be? THANKS for any help!!!

joelashley

For years I left my Westell6100 modem on 24/7 because I'd read somewhere not to turn it off for more than an hour because it would lose its connection memory, and might have to be reset by a Verizon tech. Since electric rates have gone up, I began shutting off any devices around the house that micro-used electricity, esp. electronics such as home theater, etc. The modem and its bevy of lights was just too tempting, so I began putting my computers into full shut down at night, rather than standby or hibernate, and switching the modem off. It was a risk I was willing to take - if it was a problem, it would quickly show up and I wouldn't ever turn the thing off again. But no problem ever occurred, so it is now off every night. The hassle is waiting a couple minutes for the thing to ramp up in the morning, but then I wait for the computer to restart at the same time anyway. I'm willing to sacrifice a couple minutes to save a little electricity.

Who but the rich can afford waste in this economy?

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