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Home Networking

Modem and router guides, Wi-Fi fixes, setup walkthroughs, and the buy-versus-rent math for every major ISP.

236 articles

Latest from Home Networking

Sign in With Google: Pros, Cons, and Our Verdict

Sign in with Google is fast and secure, but it ties every connected app to one account. We weigh the pros and cons on ease of use, security, and privacy, then give our verdict on which accounts should use it and which...

New13 min read

Prime Day Modem Deals: What to Buy and What to Skip

Prime Big Deal Days ended October 7, 2026. Here are the cable modem picks worth buying, the DOCSIS 3.0 models to skip, and what Spectrum customers need to do before the October 28 cutoff.

9 min read

Prime Day WiFi Router Deals: Best Picks and Next Sale Dates

Prime Big Deal Days ended October 7, 2026, but these WiFi 7 router and mesh picks from TP-Link, NETGEAR, ASUS, and eero are still the ones to watch. Here is which one fits your home size and internet plan, plus when the...

21 min read

Fix it fast

Start with the symptom. Each one opens the guide that fixes it.

A light on my modem is blinking

Modem & Router Lights Meaning: What Every LED Color Means

My internet keeps dropping

Internet Keeps Disconnecting? How to Fix Random WiFi Drops & Connection Timeouts

My Wi-Fi is slow

How to Fix Slow WiFi: 10 Easy Steps to Speed Up Your Internet

I can't get into my router settings

Router Login: How to Log Into Your Router (Any Brand)

I want to stop renting my modem

Stop Renting a Spy: Why Owning Your Modem is the First Step to Privacy

Which modems work with my ISP?

XfinitySpectrumCoxCenturyLinkOptimumMediacom

More from Home Networking

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Troubleshooting

Cybersecurity Tips for 2026: Secure Your Accounts and Home WiFi

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the advice that matters fits on one page. Here are the four habits CISA wants everyone to adopt in 2026, plus the router settings that protect every device in your home at once.

11 min read

Is 500 Mbps Fast? What It Handles, Download Times, and Modems

500 Mbps is fast enough for a full house of 4K streaming, remote work, gaming, and smart devices. Here is what it handles, how long common downloads take, why upload speed is the number to watch on cable, and which DOCSIS 3.1...

13 min read

Troubleshooting

How to Change Your WiFi Password on Any Router or ISP Gateway

Changing your WiFi password takes about two minutes once you know where the setting lives. Here is where to find it on every major router brand and ISP gateway, what to name the new password, and how to get every device back...

9 min read

Best Travel Routers of 2026: Every Major Model Compared

Thirty travel routers from TP-Link, GL.iNet, ASUS, NETGEAR, Cudy, Ubiquiti, InHand and the top-selling hotspot brands, compared on WiFi standard, wired ports, VPN throughput, battery, and the internet sources each one can use. Start with what you'll plug it into, then pick...

24 min read

From the ModemGuides store

Stop renting your modem.

Your ISP bills you every month for hardware you never own. Every unit in our store is professionally refurbished, hand tested in the US, and backed by our 90-day warranty.

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Troubleshooting

How to Change DNS on Your Router (Every Major Brand and ISP Gateway)

Find the DNS setting on your exact router, with admin addresses and menu paths for Netgear, Orbi, TP-Link, Deco, ASUS, Linksys, eero, and Google Nest Wifi. Includes the workarounds for Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T, and Verizon gateways that hide or lock the setting.

13 min read

What Is a VPN Kill Switch? Tunnels and Providers Explained

A VPN kill switch, a VPN tunnel, and a VPN provider are three parts of the same system. Here is what each one does, what happens when the tunnel drops, and how the kill switch works when the VPN runs on your...

10 min read

Troubleshooting

What Is a Dual Band Router? 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz Explained

Almost every router sold today is dual band, but the spec sheet never explains what that means. Here is what the two bands do, how to tell which one your devices are using, and when tri-band or mesh is worth the step...

7 min read

Troubleshooting

How Long Do Routers Last? Signs It's Time to Replace Yours

Most WiFi routers last 3 to 5 years before speed, range, and security updates fall behind. This guide covers how long routers last, the signs your router is going bad, what to try first, and the best refurbished replacements for every home...

13 min read

DOCSIS 3.1

Says Your Modem Is No Longer Supported: What to Do

Internet down and Spectrum says your modem isn't supported anymore? Here's why it happened, how to confirm it's the modem and not an outage, what Spectrum will replace at no charge, and the quickest DOCSIS 3.1 replacements that activate in minutes.

9 min read

Review

TP-Link Roam 6 AX1500 Travel Router: Private WiFi Anywhere

A travel router turns any public WiFi into your own private network. Here is how the pocket-sized TP-Link Roam 6 AX1500 handles hotels, cruises, cafes, campsites, and remote work, plus an exclusive 15% promo code for ModemGuides readers through October 30.

9 min read

Troubleshooting

How to Restart Your Router: Reboot and Power Cycle Guide

Restarting your router fixes most slowdowns and dropped connections in about three minutes, and it keeps every setting intact. Here is the right order for a modem and router, how long to wait, and how to reboot from your ISP's app.

11 min read

Review

Arris S33 vs S34: Do You Need the Upload Upgrade?

The S33 and S34 are the same modem except for one thing: the S34 supports mid-split uploads. Whether that matters depends entirely on your plan and your ISP's network.

5 min read