Long delay before modem restarts High latency persists until device resets
Long delay before modem restarts High latency persists until device resets
The Motorola sbg6580 modem becomes very slow after a week or two, often showing high latency (around 200ms to 800ms). Plugging and unplugging it seems to restore normal performance. I’m using another router for Wi-Fi. My ISP is Comcast. No one nearby has the same problem, and they have different modems. Is there a solution? I’m having trouble finding a suitable replacement.
Unrelated story about a similar problem I faced before. I never discovered the root cause. It felt like a memory leak. I had to restart my modem regularly. It was really frustrating. After upgrading, it disappeared. Even back then the modem was quite outdated. I’m interested in learning more about possible solutions. Edited July 30, 2020 by Bombastinator
I've encountered comparable problems with certain modems, mainly due to internal buffer issues causing slowdowns until a reboot. The best solution would be applying a firmware update (if offered), then opting for a different modem or using a "timer socket" to cycle the device—such as nightly. If your neighbors use other models without this problem... I'd likely choose one of those alternatives.
There are many quality modems available. Models like SB6183, CM500, and CM600 with Docsis 3.1 support are common choices. I’m planning to assume the Motorola box operates in bridge mode since it functions more like a gateway than a standard modem, giving it router features. I’ll attempt to connect directly without using the router. If you encounter similar problems, check your modems signals—good signals suggest a faulty device. Also, note that as a Comcast subscriber, you might have additional considerations.
Only the ISP is allowed to update firmware on modems. Clarify, I meant Comcast offers great retail modem support, but they might overlook some cases. Another idea I’ve considered. Your modem is an 8x4 model with specs similar to mine. You might face problems if your downstream or upstream channels become overloaded. The reason others don’t have issues is likely because they use higher channel counts—like 16x4, 24x8 or even 32x8. The more channels you have, the lower the chance of overload, particularly on slower tiers. Comcast seems to stop supporting 8x4 models now; it’s possible they only support Docsis 3.1 devices at this time. Since I haven’t rented a modem from them in years, another possibility is overheating. This can occur, especially with gateway devices like yours. If the device feels excessively hot to the touch, it may be overheating. I once had a router that did this too; it had a USB port, so using a laptop cooler helped keep it running.