Why does my internet connection keep dropping?

[MattyD]

I've got a problem with my broadband internet connection just dropping out for no apparent reason. It'll be fine and then suddenly, nothing. When I try to redail it comes up with an error message saying 'no dial tone' but after two or three attempts it eventually gets through. What I'm actually doing online, e.g. surfing, Xbox Live etc seems to make no difference, and there's no pattern to it that I've noticed. Sometimes it won't happen for ages and others, like just a minute ago, it happens several times in a row.

Any ideas on what it might be, or what I could do to improve the situation?

[briareos_kerensky]

What's your current setup? If happens on multiple devices it can be a faulty or misconfigured device or your ISP having problems.

[supersmithy]

When the connection drops, check the router/modem, and check the ADSL light to see if its blinking - if it is, might be worth telling your ISP - could be a problem with the line. If its not flashing, still worth getting in touch with them, and asking why they are dc'ing you now and again.

Where I used to work, we had exactly the same problem whenever it rained - the ADSL would die for 2 minutes, come back online, then die again 30 mins later. Horrible stuff.

[babs]

It doesn't by any chance coincide with a phone being used?

It does sound like it's losing sync with the exchange (flashing green light), and that's usually down to either a problem at the exchange, the modem trying to sync at too high a speed (which shouldn't really ever happen) or dodgy/missing filters where the modem is.

Have any new phones been plugged in? If so are they using a filter? Try unplugging all phones on the line for a while if you can and see if it still does it. It sounds like it's a USB modem you're using, so it could be a USB/USB-power issue.

[MattyD]

I have a phone plugged in but it has a filter fitted, and I'm not using the phone when it happens. I do get a blinking green light though so it sounds like it might be the line. Having said that it's also a USB modem and my PC's USB is fooked (I built the PC from scavenged parts when I was mega-poor, and it's somewhat less than perfect). Could be that too I guess.

FYI I have both my computer and Xbox plugged into the same modem, a cheap-and-nasty Sagem one I got free when I signed up with my ISP (Tiscali). I keep meaning to get a proper router and this problem is one of the reasons why, but if it's the line I guess it won't help any :\

[Mofoman]

Your DSL is dropping, and this is almost alway's caused by a faulty modem or filter.

It's unlikely to be the line, if the connection is thereand not showing error's, whilst you are actually online.

The first thing you should do, is replace the modem and filter. Replace the filter first, if that still doesn't work, then replace the modem, and then if that doesn't work, then you know it's the line, either at the exchange, the local box, or in your house.

You should really be using a proper router though, as dialling up broadband is really a thing of the past, and these modem's struggle with higher speed's too, by that I mean, they particularly struggle with ADSL max, where the speed and bandwith flucuate's.These modem's were designed when broadband was only 25gk, to 512k per second.

[Crisp_Rapper]

tiscali, nuff said... my connection often craps out every 2/3 minutes during peak times. it's ****ing terrible. *shakes head*

[Salsa Party Animal]

I have lot of problem with phoneline. I sorted it by having microfilter in all phone socket and it seem to sort it out and no problem in last 2 weeks. So try that. If you just plug it one and there other phone socket it doesn't work effective enough.